The Apothecary 1878

I was very lucky to be taken here for my birthday — you know a place is good when you are planning to come back asap as soon as you have left the place!
Décor is absolutely lush and gorgeous — downstairs is more minimal than upstairs, but still lovely and cosy. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. I ordered escargot (because I had never had them before) — wowsers, absolutely amazing! For main I had the duck, which was gorgeous, and for dessert I had the Strega and chocolate cocktail (I like to have liquid desserts, haaha!).
After dinner we went upstairs for cocktails. The only disappointment here is that I ordered absinthe (*real* absinthe with sugar and water), but they brought it to me already mixed — part of the fun is pouring in the water over the sugar! Next time I’ll ask … I guess we should never make assumptions!

Oh my god!
Phenomenal experience
From the lobster tail to the duck to the espresso martini with chocolate
Food orgasm :)
Will definitely find a way back

Had a wonderful dinner here last week. Opted for the $ 48 chef’s dinner which was a great selection of small plates and a main — so much variety! from scallops, duck, lobster tail to beef. Great combo and good portions.

It’s been around a long time but fallen of the radar as a restaurant. Downstairs is great but upstairs in the charming bar is less cluttered and set with French bistro tables and chairs and they still serve the full menu. The service was amazing, the drinks list is amazing!!!
Great escargot
Great mini lobster tails
Great soya beans & spec
Magnifique!

The food was excellent, but unfortunately they refuse to do doggy bags.
Which is a shame because I couldn’t eat all of the massive amount of wonderful lamb on my plate and I HATE food waste.
Next time (if I go again) I’ll take a plastic bag and bag it myself without asking.
There’s just too much food waste going on for restaurants to be refusing to do doggy bags, and I dont believe there are any responsibility issues any more with food taken away from the premises.

A refined ambience and quiet atmosphere. Attentive service, although granted it was a Monday night (only four tables in use). The period pharmaceutical antiques add a quaint touch to the décor. The food was all you could wish for and highly recommended. Staff were able to mix classic cocktails that weren’t listed on the menu. Dine here when in Adelaide. The only negative is that the neighbouring businesses are a bit seedy — XXX bookstore etc. Unaccompanied women may feel a bit uncomfortable in the area, which is a shame for The Apothecary as it’s good enough to merit their patronage.

My husband chose this restaurant for a group of us (5) for pre-​dinner drinks and dinner on a Friday night, so I didn’t really know what to expect, in fact I had quite low expectations due to the location, but I was so very pleasantly surprised when we opened the door which was the wine bar. Now this is a proper wine bar — in fact the wine list, as a previous reviewer noted, is «truly epic». It caters for all palates and budgets. Even half bottles were available. The bar staff had a good balance of friendly and professionalism, and it suited the period feel and ambience. Cocktail and beer drinkers are also well-​catered for and the waiter was happy to make suggestions. I love it when undecided (due to my lack of practice of having cocktails), I could describe to the waiter that I would like a «dry martini that’s refreshing», is able to smile confidently, relay the message to the man behind the bar, and return with the perfect martini — not on the menu — as I requested! Gotta make a girl feel special.
After our drinks, we were then escorted down the stairs to the dining area. I have to say it was the perfect night to be in such a dining space — it was a cold, rainy night. It felt like we were led into a secret dining space, with it’s cellar-​like walls and wines stored behind iron gates. It would have been suited to both a romantic dinner for two or larger groups like us.
The food menu was interesting and we went for shared plates that we chose ourselves rather than the shared tasting menu because we were not too impressed with the way the waitress described the shared menu — when we asked what would be served, we were told that «it depends on the chef’s mood tonight», «I haven’t seen any of the shared dishes come out yet, so I’m not sure» etc etc. This waitress also lost major points when I asked about specific wine recommendations, her response was «I’m not a wine drinker» and when I asked if someone else can assist me, she replied that «she’s not working today»!!! In excusable, for a place that prides itself with a broad wine list AND on a Friday night. But I did not let that spoil the evening and just went with my instinct and the wine choices worked out well in the end.
We shared a few small and large plates and also dessert. Every morsel was just divine, and combination of flavours that were interesting, even quirky for some. But it all worked! And dessert was sublime.
I thought the prices of the food and wine was appropriate for the whole dining experience.
I’m would like to return soon to: try the tapas at the wine bar, have a romantic dinner for two.

I was going to suggest that the Apothecary is a sign of the west end of Hindley Street’s gentrification, but it has been around since 2002! Not a bad innings. They’re still going strong. Excellent quality food and drink, and a comfortable atmosphere.
I was there on a Sunday night and got a spot with no waiting. The place feels classy without being snooty, and was surprisingly relaxed. There is less of the show-​off culture that you get in Sydney, and yet I thought the food was still pretty good, and the wine list was superb. I didn’t try a lot of the food though — just the entrees, which were quite filling, generous portions. The polenta is better as a shared plate. Although ordering French wine in SA is a bit ridiculous, you can. And … Um. It’s totally worth it.
I guess one of the most impressive things the Apothecary has going for it is its large Mahogany apothecary cabinets — sourced from an Adelaide antique shop, originally from London. They’re beautifully restored. I could stare at them all day.
The service was excellent here — very sweet, friendly young staff, though not that many of them. I was kind of impressed that I only saw women staff — since Sydney’s small bar scene is a bit of a boy’s club in terms of who hangs out behind the bar. It might be different on busier nights.

Alright, this place is pretty. Great décor, relaxing ambience, and great service. I’ve chatted gin and wines with these guys and they know their stuff. There’s something about sitting in there watching the hoards trawling up and down Hindley street that adds to the satisfaction of a delicious cocktail or wine in here. Aaaah snobbery! But it’s a welcoming place, regardless of class, dress, or body odour, you are accepted. Plus, you can easily impress people by bringing them down here, always goes over well.
I have yet to eat here, but have salivated into my gin martini watching the food brought out to other lucky patrons. So its on the to-​do list

What a great place for a romantic date! I would definitely return to this place without question. My wife and I ordered 4 or 5 things off of the menu and every single one of them was delicious. My favorite was the quail by a long shot.
The drink selection is excellent both on the beer and on the wine side.
The décor is really fun in that it really does seem like an old apothecary with all of the bottles and such on the walls. The lighting is also dim so it is a really intimate setting for you and whoever you come with.
There’s also a private event room downstairs if you need to accommodate a larger party.

Without a doubt my favourite spot to wine and dine in Adelaide.
The wine list is truly epic, intimidating even, but the more I go there the more relaxed and comfortable I feel discussing the options with the bar staff without feeling like a classless hobo. I have always found the staff accommodating and passionate about the food and wine that they serve.
The food is just wonderful. Personally I like to do a few tapas and then a main shared between the group. There’s something very comforting about sharing lucious food with people you care about. The meals are often very rich but come in small serves so it doesn’t feel too much. The cheese dishes in particular are cheesetacular.
No description I could provide would do justice to the ambiance of The Apothacary. What I can say is that it cocoons me and makes me feel like there is a place in the world where I fit.
I do have to agree with the other reviewers though that it’s location sucks balls. Whilst walking off Hindley Street into what feels like a hidden opium den filled with mysterious wonders and all the worries of the world can disappear behind a haze of plush satisfaction, there’s always that point in the night where you have to walk back out on to Hindley Street and usually in the middle of skank hour. It really does bring you crashing back to reality with a disappointing harshness. Unless of course you’ve sampled a little too much from the extensive wine list and inexplicably come to find skank hour appealing…

5 stars for the wine and drinks list. 5 stars for décor and ambience. 4 stars for the food. 1 star for the location — seediest part of Hindley St! 2 stars for the service.
Perhaps I spent too much time in the service capital of the world — the US — but how hard is it to get this part right so that customers have a great experience and want to return? Unlike at least one other wine bar in Adelaide the service is not rude and the staff are civil. So I will return but come on guys you can do better!
Us «can we please have a table for 2»
Waitress «are you drinking or eating food?»
Us «both»
We get a table and a drinks only menu but no other interaction for 10 – 15 minutes until the waitress returns with a food menu.
Waitress «if you want food you need to order right now. it’s 20 to 10(pm) and if you don’t order immediately the chef will just say stuff it and pack up»
Huh? Is there not a better way to convey this information! If there is such a rush then why didn’t we get the food menu 10 – 15 mins earlier!
No further interaction for another 10 minutes until a different waiter arrives to take our order.
The drinks menu is like a war and peace novel so we order as best we can. No suggestions, explanations or help offered and then after the waiter leaves we continue on our browsing and come across a section at the back for «food items after 10pm». WTF! (stands for where’s the food?) — why didn’t the pushy waitress explain that for food we had 2 options — the before 10 food menu and the after 10 list at the back of the drinks tome (a wonderful drinks list BTW)?
We order an expensive bottle of very nice wine. The waiter opens it at our table and spills wine and cork all over the table. No apology or offer to get us a new bottle or discount the price a little for the expensive juice soaked up by his sponge.
Anyway we kept the menu so we could look at the drinks list and maybe order something after food to make up for the non consumed spilt wine. While we were talking, the pushy waitress walked past and whisked away the menu without asking if we were finished.
Come on this is restaurant service 101!

I went to Apothecary 1878 just this past Tuesday for my birthday dinner with my partner. I picked the destination because I love cozy settings, especially in the winter, and from what I could tell from its (somewhat amateur) website, Apothecary was right up my alley.
Don’t let their website fool you: this place is professional without being fussy, with excellent service and even better food.
We started with the French baguette (ordered another of these in the end, as it was very small), the baked chèvre with grapes and almonds, and a cous cous, cauliflower and coriander salad. Each tapa was exquisite in its own right, and together they were a satisfying, varied start to the meal.
For mains, my partner ordered a steak with gorgonzola buttered leeks while I chose the mushroom pithivier (fancy-​talk for pie) served on cauliflower soup. We also ordered a spinach salad with grapes, red onion and walnut on the side.
My partner reported that his steak was very rich and very filling. I tasted his leeks and they were just as he described. My mushroom pie was extremely rich as well, but flavourful too; it didn’t just rely on the heavy, earthy qualities of the pastry and mushrooms to carry the dish. We both loved the salad, and the side serving was generous.
Looking back, I think that next time I will order the same tapas, with maybe another of the vegetarian ones, and the side spinach salad. It would be the perfect amount of food.
We took advantage of the extensive wine list and tried a couple of glasses before choosing a bottle with dinner. There was a quirk with the wine service which I’ve never seen before: the server brought our bottle, poured two glasses, then took it back to the bar to be placed on ice, within our sight. She then took charge of refilling our glasses, so we never actually touched our wine bottle. An interesting and, I suppose «full service» approach, though we do usually like to control our own drinking pace.
Anyway, we finished with a chocolate pudding that sported a sole candle in celebration of my birthday! The server mentioned that he wouldn’t sing, but did wish me a happy birthday– I think that was best for everyone. The pudding was light as air and melted in our mouths.
To sum up: Apothecary 1878 is an intriguing little restaurant with interesting and history-​rich décor whose regal-​ness (I know, not a word) is a little misplaced in its Hindley St location. We left stuffed to the brim, happy, and content after 3 hours of delicious food, tasteful service, and beautiful wine.

Sophisticated. Moody. Apothecary is one of the swankiest bars in Adelaide. Superb wine list. I hear, great food. Always brings a smile to my face.

I’ve finally tried the food here too and nothing changes about what I’ve previously said about this place. If anything, I would give it an additional star if possible.
The downstairs room looks wonderful and it feels like being in an old wine cellar. Very romantic and intimate; there aren’t many tables so I’d recommend making a reservation, especially on weekends. Service was impeccable.
Now, the food does not only consist of tapas. If you fancy a proper main they also have a very reasonable selection of dishes, ranging from a mushroom pithvier (basically a fancy pie — which I had and it was delicious) to different types of meat. For entrée my partner and I shared various tapas, feta, olives. the usual.
All in all it was a great experience to dine here and it’s definitely become one of my favourite restaurants in the city.

The Apothecary has a very rich, regal atmosphere to it, and I’m not yet sure if this is something I like. If I was a CEO and had retired here after an evening of hard work, it might seem a little more appropriate to light up a cigar and sip on some fine wine. But as a twenty two year-​old student? It’s a little weird.
Having said that, it really is a cool place to visit. It’s very homey and authentic, just like a classy old bar should feel. I’m not all that into wine, and that seems to be their forte, but they do have an extensive list of drinks on offer.
I’m not certain whether or not a smoking room still exists in this bar, but back in the day you could light up a cigar or a cigarette whilst enjoying your drink, making it really feel like the old days. The smoky haze was terrible for the health of non-​smokers, but it gave the place great atmosphere.

I used to walk past The Apothecary thinking it was a closed bar that had gone under or something, until I was taken there by a group of friends.
With only fleeting glaces through the darkened windows it is fair enough that I thought such things because the inside is like someone opened a time capsule from the late 1800’s.
The décor involves a lot of velvet and leather. Hundreds of old tonic bottles fill the shelves, of which could have possibly been filled with god knows what in the past. It’s almost overwhelming all the history in here.
I spent my first of surely many future visits sipping absinthe with friends. The APothecary really does have that sort of bohemian feel.

Places like this are rare in Adelaide.
I often used to walk past the Apothecary on my nights out and look inside and think, ‘Man, that place looks cool and mysterious. Of course, none of the people I’m with would think that. I’ll have to come here with a different crowd.’ But I never managed to assemble the right crowd of people. So I finally went myself. And maybe it was the buildup, but I was floored.
The thing I love most about the Apothecary is its atmosphere. It feels real, it feels authentic, it feels amazing. I’ve always enjoyed wine over beer. Not because I’m an inherently classy person, but because I like to FEEL like I’m classy. And the atmosphere of this place extends that feeling from your tastebuds and your nostrils to your eyes and your ears.
I’ve only been there once, but I loved my time there. The first thing I’m going to do is bring a bunch of friends there, even if I have to smack them over the head and drag them. I’ll make them love it because I love it. That’s the magic of the Apothecary. You want to share it.

I think the only thing that isn’t quite right with the Apothecary is where it is situated. It just doesn’t belong in the midst of Hindley street, where the drain people come out to play. It’s like a tall flower in a bed of Macca’s wrappers, pulse cans and strippers, this is no exaggeration.
The Apothecary is like a fine antique store which also happens to cater the finest wine and spirits to your taste in addition to well presented meals. There are so many creepy bottles holding god knows what that were once used as medicine or possibly even poison, I think if you were to auction of all the little treasures housed in this bar it would be a nice little earner.
I recommend making your order and slipping downstairs into the beer garden, its so pretty down there with tea-​light candles and wrought iron tables and chairs, and its so well insulated that you forget that Hindley street in just out the door.
This is a classy and relaxed evening out and I like that this wine bar isn’t the least pretentious when so many of them are, a rare find.

The Apothecary used to be a real apothecary and now it is a fancy wine bar. There are many aspirational wanna-​be wine bars in Adelaide. Most of them get it wrong somehow — bad art on the walls, sponged-​on paint effects, eager to please service, too much boutique beer sponsorship material. I don’t spend a lot of my time looking for the perfect place to have some wine and olives after work, so I’m probably not an expert, but I think The Apothecary is getting it right.
The décor is what a professional food writer would call ‘sumptuous’. Red velvet, regal furniture, and a genuinely amazing collection of antique apothecary cabinets and weird little old medicine bottles that used to hold the surprisingly hardcore stuff your great-​grandma would have been addicted to back in the day. As I said before, I don’t know much about fancy things, but the wine also tastes much better than anything I’ve ever had in my life. Ditto the olives.