Review Utopia At Waterfall Gully - Adelaide

My partner took me here and the food was amazing, not to mention the beautiful location! The fried chicken and halloumi burger was incredible!! The chocolate milkshake I had was delicious! I will definitely be returning! They offer a high tea option which I would love to try next time!! 💖

We celebrated a birthday here and the venue was excellent! The catering was awesome - the organisers were always on top of everything and the food was simply marvellous. With the stunning views and hospitable service, this was definitely one of the most memorable birthday celebrations. Cheers! 🥂

Magic! Nothing short of magic for every visit we make. This one was a little bit extra special after 2.5 years separated, we enjoyed a scrumptious breakfast reminiscing with my parents who have arrived to visit from Canada. Our first magical moment was 10 years ago when Kelly, Justin and team made our wedding the most carefree and happy night of celebrating love. Your dedication to perfection in all areas of your business shows with every visit and we love the respect and appreciation you hold for your guests. Your staff are a credit to your passion and this mornings team were no exception. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and we look forward to another visit very soon.

Small lunch menu, however the southern fried chicken and halloumi burger was sensational. Surprisingly good coffee too, a picturesque landscape and ample parking. Definitely returning!

We love this place. The atmosphere and care from the staff is second to none. My sister often takes me here for a birthday brunch - the food and drink choices are amazing. We purchased one of their Valentine's Day hampers earlier in the year that was full of amazing goodies. The location is so beautiful - you really can't go wrong with a waterfall on your doorstep. You won't be disappointed!

Beautiful spot! Thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality and the food. Warm and friendly staff. Will definitely be back again soon!

Great coffee followed by the best location and the most important which is customer service. Every staff is so welcoming. I have interacted more with Dev and his friendly and professional approach has made me and my friends Utopia’s regular customers. We all look forward to enjoying our coffee after our hike every week. Keep up the great work Team Utopia!

Great place to have breakfast, food was so delicious and Staff are friendly. Recommended

We attended a wedding at Waterfall Gully and the reception was held at Utopia. Utopia has spectacular views from it's balconies. The dining room looked gorgeous and you could still see the views which was nice. The food was enjoyable - a focus on good produce. This would be a great spot for a coffee or some lunch.

A perfect restaurant for a nice, warm, cozy meal whilst enjoying a fantastic view when eating outdoors. The staff were friendly, and albeit we had to wait for around 20 minutes for the food to arrive, the quality of the food made the wait all worth it!<br/><br/>I ordered the Lamb Shank; and albeit it costs $30, it was one of the best things I’ve tasted in my life! The lamb possessed a beautiful texture: soft, tender and aromatic! The roasted vegetables brought a sweet balance to the savoury lamb; and the mashed potatoes were soft and fresh.<br/><br/>For dessert, we ordered the Churros. It was amazing as well! —for they were the fluffiest churros we’ve ever been bestowed upon! —and the chocolate dip was rich! —even so, the caramel ice cream brought this dish to a whole new level!<br/><br/>However, the ground we sat upon was slightly slanted, making our posture slightly strange. But despite these imperfections, this restaurant was well worth it for its price! —an excellent place for a good hearty meal.

We stopped in for a hot chocolate before a bushwalk and were confused by the entrance & trying to get someone's attention for service. <br/>The hot chocolate was only lukewarm which was disappointing.<br/>We had the devonshire tea 'deal' & the scones were quite heavy & dense which again disappointed me. I was hoping for something light & fluffy.

We came here for a coffee and desert only. Been here twice but never try the main course. I had a chocolate fondant cake with moccha and my partner had svone and chocolate milkshake. As for the fondant was too much melted chocolate inside and the mixture sponge cake wasn't fine, the taste was too rich. And for the scone was too flufy and soft. I like the hard one. The coffee and milkshake was okay. Service is good. I like the place, cozy, perfect for dating or just rendezvous with friends

Anybody that has attempted the Mount Lofty Summit walking trail would already be familiar with Utopia. The restaurant is located right at the end of Waterfall Gully Road in a century old stone chalet. With lush green surrounds, the restaurant is nestled between cliffs and trees, and comes with its own waterfall views. Utopia showcases a modern Australian menu and utilises some of the states finest local produce. The location is very popular for weddings and it just so happens that was the very reason that brought me here today.

After a pleasant morning stroll at the waterfall gully, it was perfect to finish the morning with a delicious breakfast at Utopia. I was there with my parents and we each chose the vegetarian options are were not disappointed. The waitress was so friendly which really added to our great moods, thankyou so much!

had some great service and quality coffee and food but it can change like the weather. other times i have had some terrible service, food and drinks. unpredictable.

A hidden gem. Amazing food catering for Adelaide's 'foodies'! <br/>Fantastic breakfast menu hosting fresh, local ingredients calling on the cravings of those healthy brunch lovers! A range of decadent lunch options paired with an extensive wine list, sure to make for a great dining experience. There is nothing quite like it around! Situated in a rustic old chalet nestled in natures surrounds right be the waterfall. A must see just 10 minutes from the CBD!

My husband and I visited the restaurant yesterday for our anniversary. It was such a beautiful setting. The staff is extremely friendly. We love this place and probably visit again.

Our best dining experience while visiting Adelaide!<br/>Fabulous location, superb food and great service. They easily catered for our various food allergies and our meals were utterly sensational. Can't praise them highly enough!

Lunch - fantastic!. Had lunch at Utopia on the weekend.....absolutely fantastic! The food was great, service was great, atmosphere was great, view was great......ticked all the boxes and more.,,,and not to mention the roaring log fire!!

Impossible to park. Went for breakfast on the Australia Day public holiday. The restaurant carpark was full with people walking up Mt Lofty. I parked in the staff ramp, but I did not realise it was staff parking at the time. The food was ok. I had the sweetcorn cakes, I was expecting them warm and just cooked, but no I think they were prepared a day ago as they were cold. My friends had the mushrooms and they said they tasted like they were sweetened with sugar? It's a great view, but not worth the hassle trying to find a carpark. My friend got a parking ticket...so we will not be back.

I love this place!! Definitely try their Eggs Benedict & their Chai Latte, you won't regret it. Amazing food, amazing service & an amazing setting - I'll definitely be going back !

Why have I not heard about this place?. Was well.... special! I took my family to see the waterfall on recommendation a few weeks ago. Kids were hungry so I thought we'd see if we could get something to eat for lunch. Sometimes these touristy places can be a bit hit and miss. I'm happy to report it was a big 'hit'. <br/><br/>We shared some tasting / entrees items which were great. I missed out on the mini burgers as my daughter decided that they were hers. :( <br/><br/>I was lucky enough to have the awesome caramel and fig dessert with prune and brandy ice cream. I can't believe the quality. How have I not heard about Utopia before.<br/><br/>fitting name for a well kept secret

I've done the Mt Lofty walk quite a few times but I've never eaten or had a coffee at Utopia. I really liked the place. The staff were lovely and accommodating. The choice for brekky is great. When the food came out it looked and tasted fantastic! I was pleasantly surprised and will definitely be back.

Vegan pasta. I attended a close friends wedding on Saturday night. Had a great night but the highlight of the night was the vegan ravioli on lentils. It is rare to get anything other than a bowl of steamed vegetables when I go out. Very grateful.

Great view, shame about the meal. Over the years, the Waterfall Gully Restaurant has been a favoured venue for functions. I have attended quite a few there when it has been under different management and have recommended it to others.<br/><br/>This is a belated review but earlier in the year I booked at Utopia for a special birthday lunch. With a couple of weeks' notice, I asked if a special meal could be prepared for my 96 year old father as there are limitations on what he can eat now. I was prepared to bring along the ingredients if necesary (a simple fillet of fish). This request was firmly rejected on the basis that the restaurant did not cater to special requests and they were sure that the menu would have something that could satisfy my father.<br/><br/>As it happened, there were not any options that he was able to eat. I ended up ordering an entre for him, not appreciating quite how tiny it would be but it was inedible for him anyway. The meals were interesting but all on the small side. It was not until they arrived that we appreciated that they did not come with vegetables and that we needed to order these separately. Fortunately as there were not many people in the restaurant, it the potatoes, etc did not take long to come from the kitchen.<br/><br/>The desserts were a little disappointing also in that it looked as though they had been prepared for some time and were a bit dry on the surface. It was a holiday period, so perhaps there had not been the turnover in desserts that might otherwise have been expected.<br/><br/>In summary, we did not feel that there was value for money in the meal, and were disappointed at the inflexibility in catering for my father. The table service was prompt and attentive on the day however. Given the overall experience, we would not return. We love the location however.

Amazing amazing amazing each and everytime! We love it, we tell everyone about it- and soon we are getting married here! :) can't wait! Keep up the great work Kelly and Justin see you soon!

Great lunch. Friends put me onto Utopia. They walk regularly and suggested we should give it a try. Must say we had a fantastic lunch on Saturday. Setting was very relaxing and the roaring fire was a great feature. The food was well above average and service was really good.

Deliciously beautiful. It's a bonus when the backdrop AND food are of a great quality. The menu is a slight creative twist on favourites as well as originals. Nothing's far in Adelaide, so make the trip!

Eggsellent. Eggs Benny is the winner! Eggs are always runny and coffee is always perfect. Possibly the best looking wait staff in Adelaide!

I've been to many wedding venues but this place takes the cake! With sensational food and friendly staff i highly recommend Utopia. After seeing so many wedding venues let their brides and grooms down on the finer details its such a pleasure to see how careful they are with attention to detail.<br/><br/>From a candlelit path leading to the stunning heritage building, to the fairylights on the terrace and immaculately presented chair covers not a single detail is missed.<br/><br/>The food here is out of this world. Having eaten here several times for lunch as well as a good friends wedding it never fails to tantalise my tastebuds.<br/>Love love love it! I will return!

Lovely birthday lunch!. I remember this place from my childhood - but it's so much better. Justin, the chef and owner has five star restaurant experience and it really shows. We had a lovely family lunch, children accommodated by he cheerful and helpful staff, and an amazing birthday cake which managed to accommodate both the hocaholics in the family and those who don't eat chocolate (their loss, more for the rest of us, I say! ) thoroughly reccomend, great old, great staff, great service, great atmosphere and a unique Adelaide location.

Just gorgeous. What a breathtaking venue. food is exquisite and service impeccable. well done.

Have been coming here over the past 12 months and always found the food and service to be great. When my partner and I decided to look at having our wedding here we were met by the owner/manager who runs the functions. We were disspointed to say the least, as she was very unaccomodating and seemed to be most disinterested in what we plan to make one of the most special days of our lives. I hope to still enjoy future meals here but I wouldn't be recommending it for a wedding venue based on our experience.

The Place to Share Special Moments at!. I have read a lot of reviews about Utopia @ Waterfall Gully - I am pleased that the majority are positive because this venue is truly a slice of pure relaxation. I am a regular customer of Utopia and have been to many events held there, including a MS Fundraiser, Two Mothers Day's and I held my father in law's birthday there. The staff, food and glorious venue have lived up to their name by providing an experience with a difference. Its almost like being on holiday, a place where you can forget your troubles and enjoy the comforts of good food and great company at a reasonable price, plus it is kid friendly.<br/>I have spoken with the owner/manager on many occasions. She has continuosly provided excellent service to me and my guests on each occassion we have been there (Event or causal dining). And when planning my father in laws birthday, it was good to have some guidance when planning an event like a birthday and its obvious by her experience and love for her restaurant that she takes every effort to make your event special. Even organising the cake (which was to die for) and took the hassle out of the planning for me.<br/>I really am disappointed when I read a negative review. I havent been to a wedding at Utopia, but it suprises me to read such negative comments, especially when I know the effort and planning that goes into all events at Utopia. However the positives always out weigh the negatives and at the end of the day if you want a memorable dinning experience, unlike any other (the waterfall is a little bit of magic, in an ordinary day) Utopia @ Waterfall Gully is that experience.

My wedding at utopia was unbelievable. From the first moment we went to have a look I fell in love. I remember walking away with a feeling that the owners actually cared about the business and wanted me to have the most amazing day. The co-ordinator was pleasant and very obliging to answer any questions. The worst problem was trying to narrow down the selection of choices for our menu! <br/>We had a cocktail reception but the food was plentiful. After being present at many cocktail weddings and being served spring rolls and wedges it was refreshing to see a unique menu. <br/>The owners transformed the room in the way we had imagined adding a few touches to surprise us.<br/>All night the professional staff we friendly and willing to help. <br/>It was the perfect day and I have recommended them both as a restaurant and a wedding venue to so many people! It really is a Utopia!

Wonderful wedding. So happy to have had my wedding in Utopia, and why wouldn't I with that name! Gorgeous ambience, intimate setting, wonderful food, curteous staff (no idea what previous reviewers were on about). Agree with the wine, great selection.<br/>Hosts were infinitely accomodating offering many options and happy to offer vegan options for my in-laws. They worked well with the photographer and cake place.<br/>Fully recommend them and look forward to anniversary dinners in Utopia.

Vegans well catered for!. We checked out Utopia for brunch a few weekends ago. A dreary morning it was; but it was the perfect place for it. <br/><br/>I'm a vegan so I phoned ahead to ensure they would cater for me. Not a problem "Emma" told me. <br/><br/>I was offered two options: the fruit salad or a cooked breakfast. The choice was easy due to the weather. I went the cooked breakfast. It was delicious. A plate of delicious vegany morels, with sour dough toast on the side. Salt and pepper tofu, sauteed spinach, roasted tomato, asparagus, and my favourite component; sweet, perfectly-seasoned mushrooms. This breakfast was rounded off with a glass of Hollick Cabernet Sauvignon - it was cold, the wine warming; why not? My only criticism: the toast was dry due to a lack of butter (or equivalent). I should have asked for a brushing of olive oil. Ah well. No biggy. <br/><br/>A really nice touch was the fact that I wasn't charged the price of the ‘Big Gully’ breakfast. The way I see it is my alteration to the dish removes two of the more expensive ingredients: the bacon and eggs. So many places still insist on charging full-price for a modified dish. Thank you Utopia for charging appropriately. <br/><br/>My partner opted for the sweet potato and celeriac gratin. Devine, I am told. <br/><br/>Service was friendly and effective. The location - stunning. Overall a great experience and sure to be a regular brunch-ery. :)

Mother's Day Breakfast. We went with the family for Mother's day - a pre-set menu - had 2 children with us. Staff were wonderful, we couldn't fault them. However, the food was OK, but we all felt expensive for what it was - $45 a head - which did NOT include any coffees or juices - this IS a brunch after all! The children received two VERY small pancakes, about 5 cm in diameter, a couple of strawberries cut up and a little dish of cream and this was $16 a head per child. VERY expensive! Naturally everyone ordered coffees and some ordered juices, as it was a brunch but as I said, this wasn't included in the cost per head. Yes, the view is stunning , but, I wouldn't go again, if there is a set menu. Too expensive.

Rude owner/ manager. We've eaten here for both a wedding and as casual customers. When came up with my friend for a menu tasting for the wedding, the food wasn't great and when pointed out how gristly the meat was she (the owner/manager) said, "well we don't give you a tasting of the best bits of the steak!" However, the food at the wedding was beautiful but the owner/ manager was rude about EVERYTHING in adapting the menu in ANY way! ie; wouldn't allow chilli to be put on anything or adapt the menu to suit tastes, stating they were a french restaurant. The husband/ chef seemed nice enough & almost apologetic for his wife's rudeness..on each occasion!<br/>The location is beautiful though. As a casual customer, i would rather pack my own lunch.<br/>*Update.. can't knock a beautiful location & i gave this place another chance after people invited us to have breakfast/ brunch with them. The wait staff were again really nice. The food we had was tasty but the children's meals were expensive for the serve.<br/>The one point was for the location, the other half was for the chef... Not the other owner/manager.

Utopia indeed. Amazing location, scenery and the ambiance of the old kiosk with wooden paneling, lead-light glass and fireplace creates a great feel for a special meal - have eaten both inside and outside and the food and coffee has always been good - not cheap but given the location it is part of the experience of such a setting.

Consistently great breakfast and brunch in beautiful surrounds. Take a short walk to the falls to work off the Eggs Benedict.

Alright, but.... Tried the breakfast here after a walk up Mt Lofty and in desperate need of a refuel! Unfortunately I was disappointed - the ham, cheese and tomato omelette was fairly average. Instead of shaved/sliced ham it had that funny diced stuff you'd expect on a takeaway pizza. It was oozing tasty cheese and there wasn't a whole lot of tomato to be seen. The omelette itself tasted alright though, and the bread that accompanied it was also quite tasty. Fellow diner enjoyed her meal (it was a lot more gourmet and what I expected from my dish!). Service was good - the waitress was accommodating and friendly given we asked for breakfast at lunchtime - but wouldn't return based on the quality of my meal.

Stay Away!. The manager here was EXTREMELY rude! Someone with such appauling manners and communication skills certainly should not be working in the hospitality industry! The setting was very pretty but I found the food to be average and our coffees tasted like watery milk. Go for a stroll to the waterfall, but don't waste your time eating here!

Went the $55 three course. Good food not super- would go again

Other worldly experience. The location transports the diner to another place before the food and or the wine is selected.<br/>The old kiosk building has been utilised as is and this really suits the ambience created. The out door umbrella covered tables with the valley walls as the background combined with the sound of the main falls in the near distance all enhance the European vibe.<br/><br/>If the diner is expecting a silver service style of operation they will be a little disappointed. The staff - all uber-efficient , well trained and honed, serve without being too intrusive. This style of presence is carried throughout the whole dining experience. <br/><br/>After being shown the wine cellar and left to make my choice I rejoined the other 3 and proceeded to select from the diverse menu. <br/>Justin Markos has maintained his diversity in menu and our small crowd chose a varied cross section. <br/><br/>Entree -The duck pate parfait - special of the day mmm, <br/>Quail - delicious , Ravioli - great. <br/>The mains were fabulous , the Beautiful Beef - exquisite, Plucky Chicken - moorish, Petite Pie - Chicken and Leek - entree served as main - delicious.<br/>The Chicken Ballantine - entree served as main - exxx.<br/>The timing between courses was great as conversation was encouraged and the choice of wine contributed to a fantastic afternoon.<br/>In fact, a couple of days later a guest rang to comment that ' it was the best meal he had had for ages in Adelaide.'<br/>Suitable for any age group and occasion as the patrons go to the effort to satisfy.<br/>Come with an open mind and enjoy :-)

I've only had breakfast here. And it was not the greatest. My other guest however enjoyed the whole experience.

Adelaide's best breakfast. Most weekends my husband (SmallPapa) and I have breakfast out on one morning. This weekend we decided to make the short but scenic drive to Waterfall Gully. We have had lunch there in the past and thoroughly loved it, but was the first time for breaky.<br/>The inside area was booked out but there were plenty of tables on the balcony, which is in such a beautiful setting it would be a pity to be inside anyway, even with the open fire beckoning. Luckily we had brought our jackets.<br/>Put simply, our breakfasts were pretty much the best we have had in Adelaide. SmallPapa had the big breaky, involving perfectly poached eggs, good bacon, house-made rosti, slow cooked (almost semi-dried) tomatoes, a huge mushroom which brought back childhood memories of what mushrooms SHOULD taste like, and house-made baked beans with chorizo and a touch of chili. I managed to steal a little taste of everything while he was admiring the view!<br/>My eggs benedict was exactly how they should be cooked but very seldom done: eggs - perfectly poached and full of flavour; ham - REAL ham off the bone, lightly pan-fried; baby spinach - just wilted, not slimy; and hollandaise - obviously house-made and perfectly balanced. All served on toast which actually had flavour and didn't break my teeth.<br/>Coffee was strong and delicious, often not the case when we order a mug of flat white. Great attentive, friendly service. The prices were comparable to most good breakfast places, but the quality was so much higher in every way. Not cheap, but you well and truly get what you pay for and more. <br/>Honestly, I couldn't fault the whole deal. I'm sure we will be back, and soon! Pefect breaky in a perfect setting.

Utopia @ Waterfall Gully has potential. The location is serene, and the staff are welcoming, it was just unfortunate we had to wait so long for our food and drinks. In addition, with no explanation from the staff, it left a lot to be desired. It’s fair enough to say I wont be returning.<br/>