The team at Aurora aim to create memorable dining experiences that nourish and engage. A la carte and tasting menus offer inclusive, authentic experiences that celebrate culinary excellence. A purpose-built braai is at the centre of the open kitchen which produces modern cuisine at international standards.

Set on the ground floor of a 150-year-old former tobacco factory, Aurora blurs the line between restaurant, gallery, and performance space. Inspired by Aurora Australis and the colours of our vast Australian landscape, the interior fuses old and new by blending the layers of the site’s past.

Not only does it have award winning food, has been acoustically assessed, but it is also a registered charity, dedicated to innovation and treating people fairly. So now you can eat well, enjoy the conversation around the table, and help others at the same time.

The profits from the restaurant not only go back into training junior staff, but in supporting the local arts community.

Aurora is an “accessible” fine dining restaurant with a menu that has a range of price points. The business is intended to be an example of how a restaurant can be run sustainably.

The restaurant opened on the ground floor of Light Adelaide. An independent creative project, not-for-profit organisation and registered charity, designed to be a beacon for creativity while maintaining a focus on the wellbeing of its people. The ethos of Light’s social enterprise stretches into Aurora and all its many facets at Light Square. Light ADL also includes a multi-level arts precinct, The Lab performance space and their newest venture, The Light Room Bar, Gallery and Studio.

Led by chef Sam Cooper, Aurora is a world class yet accessible dining experience in the heart of Adelaide. Working with local suppliers that align with Aurora’s ethos of quality produce, locality and supportive work practices is key to our vision. Ever-changing and evolving, their menu is a fusion of diverse cuisines, crafted by their talented team whose expertise is shaped by their rich heritage and diverse experiences.

↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ For bookings click on this link ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
Book your table at Aurora here

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Mention ‘Ambient Menu’ in the comments, and the team will know where to sit you.

AMBIENT MENU ACCREDITATION

This means you will be able to converse around a table of six people, if seated in an accredited area. To avoid straining to hear, mention Ambient Menu when you book as detailed above.

Look at their peak noise levels on the images attached, and you will know which times are the most conversation friendly.

Then, all you need to do is enjoy delicious food, easy conversation and superior service, in a venue that will ensure it is a memorable evening.

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Stephen

Friday 29 September 20232023-09-29 10:03:22

Food

Service

Ambience

Low

We were kindly invited to a private retirement celebration dinner for an old work colleague.

Our group of 22 people filled two tables in a private room at the rear of the restaurant. The space was partly open and tastefully surrounded by beige curtains, which have noise and privacy absorbing functions.

The menu was fixed as:

– Sourdough bread and house butter
– Flathead, avocado, soy, rice
– 72 hour slow cooked brisket, potato, gremolata
– Hazelnut parfait, gainduja (chocolate with hazelnuts), crumble

Vegetarians were catered for interesting and tasty dishes.

Some personal comments:
– The bread was excellent – always a good start.
– The entree was an unusual presentation and taste, which I appreciated.
– Main course was a meat-eaters heaven. The large block of brisket was sliced and covered lightly in a very savoury gravy. My only criticism was that there was too much meat plated, which often results in waste with unfinished meals.
– My highlight was a delicious dessert. I’m not a “sweet person” but if you don’t enjoy this small hazelnut parfait then I would vouch that you have serious eating disorder!

Aurora brings fresh flavours, local produce and sustainability to the table to create memorable dining experiences and functions. Adelaide’s dining scene has a world class restuarant to which you can take international visitors.

Seated: Inside in private dining area at rear
Day of week: Thursday
Time: 7:00 pm
Aged friendly
Access friendly
2 years ago
Stephen

Sunday 26 March 20232023-03-26 11:39:51

Food

Service

Ambience

Moderate

We had our long awaited visit to Aurora with friends for a big birthday celebration. First impressions were of a professional high-end restaurant. For example, at 6pm there were six chefs and sous-chefs working furiously in the kitchen with only 8 diners! All interactions with staff were top class, prompt and informed.

My wife asked if they could turn the music down a touch before it had even crossed my mind. It was then comfortable for our table, except me (of course!).

As it was ‘special’ night, we ordered the “Let the Chefs take you on a journey…” Feed-me menu. For me highlighted were the

– Flathead (tiny), pickled kohl rabi with salmon roe.
Fresh and impresssive.
– A quarter(?) cabbage with almond and gremolate.
I never thought I would ever place a cabbage-based meal as my #1 dish, but Aurora
changed that prejudice.

All dishes were superbly presented and delicious.

By 7-30pm, the place was almost full with an interesting cross section of Adelaide residents. At this stage, I found it too noisy for a decent converstion, but my friends continued.

If they do a weekend lunch I might return to savour the food without being affected by my weakness. I will call Aurora prior to check the least busy times.

Adelaide has another top class restaurant, and this time with strong ethics.

Seated: Inside
Time: 6:00 pm
Aged friendly
2 years ago
Patricia

Monday 11 July 20222022-07-11 12:30:59

Food

Service

Ambience

Moderate

What a wonderful night for my birthday last Thursday. Aurora delivered in food and service and ambience. Food was all delicious and beautifully presented and our wait staff were very helpful with their advice and incredibly knowledgeable about the food. That’s gold
And very charming and attentive the whole evening.
The four of us could hear ourselves speak and it’s interesting how that can make SUCH a difference to our enjoyment of the night. Couldn’t fault a thing.

Seated: Inside
3 years ago
Ambient Menu

Friday 17 June 20222022-06-17 12:03:58

Food

Service

Ambience

Quiet

From Amanda, food writer at Lambs Ears and Honey

“While restaurants in Adelaide specifically, and Australia more generally, can certainly boast a wide selection of absolutely world-class food, often the same cannot be said of the service…so it’s a joy to find the kind of professional service that an exceptional dining experience merits”.

“Both the food and the service here are detail-driven….Delicious charred squid, served with Boston Bay guanciale, yuzu and cucumber was unexpectedly, and very pleasingly, rich and creamy. Lowan Park chicken cream with scorched onion, roast potatoes and pickled walnut was absolutely all about the creamy sauce, which surprised with an incredibly full-flavoured chicken-ness, and crunchy cubes of rice cake were perfectly complimented by a lightly fragrant coconut sauce with just a hint of warmth to it.”

To read more of what she said, read her full review here:

https://stg-theambientmenucomau-staging.kinsta.cloud/aurora-restaurant-creating-memorable-dining-experiences-that-nourish-and-engage/

Seated: Inside
3 years ago
Mrs Drex

Sunday 28 November 20212021-11-28 14:06:38

Food

Service

Ambience

Quiet

After reading several favourable reviews about Aurora, I was very keen to try it out for myself.

And boy, did they deliver!

We had the degustation menu, and it was delicious. We started with their version of the humble ‘Cheese and Tomato Cruskit’. Their translation however, included whipped Pecorino cheese, pickled tomato, green olives, and homemade puffed bread. the only downside is I fear this dish has ruined it for me. The bar is now set too high! So I guess I will just have to go back to Aurora again when I have that craving from now on.

The service = professional, attentive, knowledgeable, but not intrusive.

Ambience = even though fully booked on a Saturday night, I didn’t miss anything, and I really struggle in noise. The background music was at a level low enough to hear but not overpower the conversation. The restaurant’s front area seemed to be dedicated to small groups, no more than 4, and the back area is curtained off. It appears to cater for one larger group, with small tables dotted around.

Very clever, as large groups trying to talk over each other can drown out the conversation in the rest of the venue – innovative thinking.

Thank you, Aurora, for an unforgettable night. It was a special occasion for us after a big week, and you made it truly memorable.

3 years ago

Ambient Menu Accredited

Aurora Restaurant

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