Stella Restaurant

Stella Restaurant sits in Henley Square beside Henley Beach, with views across the jetty, lawn and ocean. Its indoor dining room and outdoor seating make the setting a central part of the experience, whether you are stopping in for breakfast, settling in for dinner or watching the sunset from the waterfront. The restaurant describes its approach as Italian dining with modern European influences, with a menu that changes seasonally and uses a mix of local and imported Italian ingredients.

There is a broad choice across the menu, including pizzas, pastas, risottos, steak, fresh seafood and desserts. Breakfast is also offered, while the drinks list includes South Australian wines from regions such as McLaren Vale, the Barossa Valley and the Adelaide Hills, alongside Italian wines, cocktails and spirits. Website testimonials mention antipasto, arancini and a seafood platter, while the broader menu is designed to cover both casual meals and more formal occasions. Bookings are recommended if you want to secure a table with a view.

The atmosphere is relaxed but suited to occasions that call for a little more ceremony. Stella caters for functions and has hosted birthday celebrations and special events, with the venue’s waterfront position adding a natural sense of occasion. The restaurant also promotes attentive service and a welcoming approach, aiming to create a home-away-from-home feel for regulars and visitors. That combination makes it a practical choice for a meal with friends, a celebration or a leisurely seaside catch-up rather than just a quick stop for food.

Stella has a long connection with the Henley Beach community. The building began as the Henley Beach Institute in 1895, and some of its original features remain recognisable. The restaurant was established in 1995 as a Mediterranean seaside eatery, later undergoing a renovation and reopening in 2016 under current owner Annie Jiang. Its kitchen now focuses on modern Italian cooking with classic influences, seafood and seasonal produce. Located around a 20-minute drive from Adelaide’s CBD and 11 minutes from the airport, Stella offers a full-day dining option in one of Adelaide’s most recognisable beachside settings.