Masterchef alum and Adelaide local Callum Hann is an aficionado of the local food scene. In addition to Lou’s Place, a relaxed modern Italian eatery in the Barossa, he’s opened Sprout Cooking School and fine diner Eleven in partnership with frequent collaborator Themis Chryssidis.
In late 2023, the pair teamed up once again to open Olive, a Pirie Street restaurant with a menu that draws inspiration from the Mediterranean and surrounding regions (stretching into North Africa and parts of the Middle East). The pair are churning out focaccia with brown butter hummus; chicken cotoletta sandwiches with pancetta and asparagus tartare; crunchy zucchini chips with whipped feta; fresh rockmelon and buffalo mozzarella salad with pickled grapes; and hearty mains including pastitsio with pork, fennel and cinnamon ragu.
When he’s not on the pans at Sprout, Hann is wrapping his hands around one of Adelaide’s best burgers, grabbing a serve of fish’n’chips on the beach with his kids, or heading to Hahndorf. Broadsheet sat down with Hann to find out his favourite spots to eat in Adelaide.
What’s your go-to for a quick takeaway?
The competition for the best burger in South Australia is pretty tough, but the Caro Club in Bowden has my vote. Or, when I’m in the city, I can’t look past a panini from Lucia’s.
And for a drink and snacks?
Anchovy Bandit. When you combine the cocktail know-how of the Nola team [Anchovy Bandit’s sister venue] and executive chef Shane Wilson’s delicious food in one venue, you get a damn tasty result!
Where’s your favourite for great baking or pastries?
Abbots and Kinney – almost our next-door neighbours at Olive, and very handy neighbours to have! They have good coffee too, but more on that below.
And where do you think does the best coffee in town?
I love The Coffee Bean Shop in the Central Market – I always get a coffee for me to drink then and there and then grab a bag of beans to take home! Closer to my house, Mighty Mighty Coffee Roasters in Lobethal is well worth stopping by.
Do you have a go-to for a long lunch?
Well, it used to be The Summertown Aristologist – unfortunately they’ve just had their last hurrah! I might have to make Lost Phoenix Farm my new long lunch go-to.
And what about the best food close to where you live?
Pot in Hahndorf for awesome cafe-style fare, or Lot 100 when I’ve got time to lunch properly. Shannon Fleming, who looks after the food there, cooked for my wedding, so I’ve got a soft spot for anything he does, but it’s more than just nostalgia that makes the food there worth a drive!
Where’s a good place to go with kids?
Pickle in the Middle in Unley. I’ve been a fan of their food since the business first started in the Central Market years ago, but now that I have young kids, the little play area at the back means I can eat without distraction for a brief time at least!
Where’s your go-to spot for fish’n’chips in summer?
I am a big fish’n’chips guy so when the weather is warm, grabbing a serve from Pearl in Aldinga and eating it on the sand with my kids is perfection.
What’s your personal favourite dish on the menu at Olive? Tough one I’m sure.
Possibly the olive oil baklava ice-cream sandwich. It’s a playful dish and I love seeing people who are sceptical of olive oil ice-cream order it and end up loving it.
And is there a hidden gem that you think is underrated but great?
Angler in Stirling. Dry-aged seafood, the best fish’n’chips – if it’s sustainably sourced and from the water you’ll find it at this place. Move over Josh Niland, we’ve got our own seafood expert right here in South Australia in the form of chef Sam Prance-Smith! He’s just opened a place with the Fair Fish team in the Central Market too – it’s called Fair Seafood – if the city is more your vibe.
Keen for some more inspiration? Check out where top Adelaide chefs get their fish'n'chips.