This exquisite building has been a Rundle Street landmark since the early 1880s, becoming the much-loved pub the Austral in 1898. The 2020 renovation of their spaces, including the front bar, dining and gala room, as well as the upstairs and balcony, hasn’t diminished the pub’s history; instead, the new look honours the heritage with character and ornamental archways. There is also more room for live music, something the pub was famous for in the 1980s and ’90s.
With the changes comes a new menu, a satisfying selection of pub grub. Try the Austral burger, a juicy medium-rare beef patty, lettuce, tomato, cheese and a bitey pickle. The chicken parmigiana is just as impressive, with some really tasty cheese and napoli sauce.
There is a large selection of Coopers beers among other brews, wine and spirits. In the warmer months, the tables out the front are normally full of people. It also gets busy on a Wednesday night for trivia and you can swim with the sharks around the pool table, too.