Mount Lofty Summit Restaurant

The Summit Restaurant, Café & Function Centre, Mt Lofty Adelaide, is a very busy tourist destination, with commanding view of Adelaide and beyond. They cater for morning or afternoon coffee, a wedding celebration or a weekend family breakfast. We enjoyed a very well made breakfast and coffee. Even though the restaurant was busy, we found the service friendly and efficient. As we relaxed over the coffee and enjoyed watching crowds of tourists, taking photo, s and enjoying the day out. A good venue for a relaxing interlude.

Stopped by for dinner and service was terrible. They were out of the wine I picked on the menu then the server couldn’t recommend one or another. Server rarely came by to check or pour more water. I asked for beef fillet with scallops. To my surprise it was awful. One small scallop on a huge she’ll on top of steak. Oh and the waiter said we don’t have a fillet, it’s a ribeye and had some gravy sauce on it. I had to go find the server to get my bill. Also heard couple sitting next to me trying to order desert and the same waiter kept saying we’re out of that and used the excuse we’re changing out the menu. If you don’t have it, don’t put it on the menu. This is a tourist trap for dinner. Probably just good for some coffee and morning views.

Omg GOOOOD COFFEE!
After a quick little drive, we called into Mount Lofty Summit for a coffee and a look.
Wow, this was one of the best coffees in Adelaide.
We didn’t try any food but it all looked great.
If you’re looking for somewhere to relax and have a coffee this is the place.

I’ve been to mount lofty for hiking many times over the years and as a kid we used to get hot chocolate and play boardgames during the weekend morning hikes. Good memories! We decided to come up because it was open for new years so we could grab a drink and chill. This was at around 2 pm and there were a lot of people in the restaurant.
We ordered 2 iced chocolates and an iced coffee for around $ 20 – 22 which was ok considering the location and the views on the summit. What was not okay was that it tasted like cheap chocolate syrup. Overly sugary, artificial chocolate syrup taste which leaves a bad taste in the mouth. The Vanilla ice cream was very nice but it was a tiny ball. The whipped cream was real cream not miracle whip so that’s another positive.
They almost nailed the drink! They only need to stop using that crappy syrup to make it worth the money. The ice coffee was better because they used brewed coffee, which I had a sip of. But this review is mostly for the ice chocolate because it was the drink I ordered.
Great view, atmosphere and décor. Might come for a meal sometime. I’ve only had the bowl of wedges from here, but the iced chocolate was a miss this time.

Three and a half stars…
This has got to be one of the best panoramic view in Adelaide for coffee and such a reward after the hike up! It was a Friday afternoon and we had a relaxing lunch with fantastic views. Didn’t need to elbow anyone to get a table closest to the full length glass windows overlooking the scenery.
Positives: The view and calm atmosphere. Food & beverages were well priced considering the location. The chicken focaccia ($ 12.90) with pesto, cheese and spinach I had was delicious though they skimped on the avocado and spinach. My husband had the quiche lorraine ($ 18.90) and it came with chips and small salad. The quiche was fresh tasting and the pastry was filo (not shortcrust). Wines by the glass were reasonably priced as well ($ 6.50-$ 9.90) and the desserts in the display cabinet looked so tempting (e.g. lemon curd cheese cake) but none for us as we were «serious» hikers!
Negatives: No table service at lunch time, self-​served water in plastic cups (!!!)
It wasn’t a memorable meal or dining experience but I would be happy to return here for lunch or coffee during a hike or drive up with visitors for a meal or coffee (& cake next time!) and the view. I would probably make a reservation next time as I’m sure it’ll busier as the weather warms up.

The wine list was a little sad, which to be honest isn’t really acceptable considering there is a wine region at their doorstep and the romantic positioning of this venue calls for a nice bottle of champagne.
My partner and I came here the other night to down a couple of bottles of sparkling, it was really lovely sitting there in the evening watching the sun go down. People watching is fun here too, lots of people propose up at the summit after wining and dining their lover.
The service was excellent and our waitress poured our wine for us, which I always like. I wish I could comment on the food from personal experience, all I can say is that it looked pretty nice on everyone else’s plates.

Bear in mind that I’ve only come here to use it as a place to grab a coffee.
I thought it was okay, my cappuccino was nice enough. Not magic. Really, though, I was paying more attention to the beautiful view than the coffee, but I’m not entirely sure whether that’s because the coffee wasn’t worth paying attention to, or the view was so spectacular that even the best coffee wouldn’t have held my attention for more than a second.
You don’t have many options for coffee up here, so they’ve kinda got the market cornered. But really, it wasn’t bad. I’d probably have another if I were back there again.

There are two parts to this restaurant, the café’s so-​so. I think any food and drink will taste good with those views (and in my case after a 3.9 km hike straight upwards from Waterfall Gully). The restuarant is very good though. It’s pricey, I only ate here because I have a very loving brother who’s a chef and appreciates good food as much as I do. The gnocchi is un-​freakin-​believable. If you ever doubted that this kind of pasta could be soft, little pillows that melt in your mouth, then you’ve not sampled these ones. We were stuck in a loop of awed exclamations, so much so that the waitress felt compelled to explain to us that some Italian nonna is making them by hand for the Summit (now it all makes sense). For the entrée I tried the leek and goats curd tart, it was really delicious, but you’re already up to about $ 50 per person so make sure you take your wallet, or have your running legs on. In a nutshell — the food’s worth it!

I’ve only ever come here for a light lunch or coffee when showing people the adjacent lookout, or after hiking up the hill. Most times I’ve come it’s been a very calm and somewhat awing experience.
Looking out over the city and beyond while sipping fresh coffee is a great way to pass the time. The food I’ve eaten here was pretty good, and reaches into the gourmet brand of cuisine. It gets pricier the fancier it is of course, but there are cheap options for eating as well.
I’d recommend to check the weather before coming up to the restaurant. In winter it can get fairly foggy on the hill, and it would be pretty disappointing to eat looking out into clouds knowing there’s a stunning panorama of Adelaide just behind them.

Doubling up as a café in the morning and lunch, and later as an intimate candle lit restaurant by night, they offer a brilliant mix of menu for all to devour.
I’ve enjoyed their café menu with warm pancakes and thick french toast for the kids. The price range is affordable with most costing between $ 10-​$ 15 for a brekkie dish. For those who enjoy their little moments of hi-​tea, there are muffins in every flavour, surely a hit with the kids! My favourite being the orange and poppy seeds flavour.
For those who fancy a bit of al fresco style lunch as you breathe in the fresh air, try the Duck tenderloin pizza ($ 15.50) over a chilled glass of Chardonnay.
I’ve yet to come here at night and from the pictures I’ve seen, the view is spectacular and so out of this world. With candle lit and dimmed lights set in the restaurant, you and your partner can bask in the glory of the night, with lights dotting across the views in the hills and far out to the sea. Magical indeed!