There’s a fresh buzz in Norwood, and it’s coming straight from the Alma Tavern’s kitchen. The iconic local pub has just unveiled an ambitious new menu curated by acclaimed chef Tom Murgatroyd, whose impressive resume includes stints at Adelaide favourites like Herringbone. His latest offering is a clever, confident blend of elevated pub classics and inventive modern fare, designed to tempt both long-time regulars and first-time diners alike.
The Alma’s restaurant space delivers a more refined setting; cosy yet polished, perfect for lunch or dinner catch-ups when you’re after something a little special. But if it’s laid-back vibes and casual eats you’re craving, the bar and beer garden are where it’s at. With everything from wood-fired pizzas to crisp cocktails and crowd-pleasing pub staples, the new menu truly caters for all tastes and occasions.
Small plate | Burrata with charred broad beans, peas, red onion, cherry tomatoes, Vietnamese mint and focaccia
We kicked things off with the burrata small plate, a beautifully plated dish of charred broad beans, peas, cherry tomatoes, red onion and Vietnamese mint; light, summery and perfectly paired with house-baked focaccia.
Special | Roasted beetroot with whipped fetta, a white balsamic dressing, and house made focaccia
The roasted beetroot special followed, pairing earthy beetroot with whipped feta and a drizzle of white balsamic for a simple yet satisfying small plate, full of contrasting textures and flavour.
Classic | Lamb yiros salad bowl with confit lamb, chickpeas, salad, roasted Mediterranean vegetables, oregano, yoghurt, lemon and pita bread
Mains didn’t disappoint either. The lamb yiros salad bowl was a hearty yet healthy dish, packed with confit lamb, chickpeas, roasted veg, tangy yoghurt and warm pita bread, every bite bursting with Mediterranean flavour.
Special | Nduja scallops with house made crispy chilli oil
But the showstopper? The nduja scallops; seared to perfection and topped with house-made crispy chilli oil that added just the right amount of heat. A bold, fiery number that struck the right balance between heat and richness.
Special | Calzone with bbq pork and caremelised onion
Straight from the wood oven, we tried the bbq pork and caramelised onion calzone. Think comfort food, but elevated—a golden crust giving way to sweet, smoky, melty goodness inside.
Drinks-wise, the Weiss Bar Cocktail was a tropical treat: Malibu, vodka, passionfruit liqueur, mango, pineapple and Midori that tasted like summer in a glass. For those going booze-free, the Berry GoGo Mocktail mixes apple, cranberry, raspberry and watermelon with lemonade for a bright, refreshing sip.
Beyond the menu, the Alma Tavern has created a weekly line-up of tempting specials and events to keep things interesting. Kids eat free on Mondays with a main purchase, Tuesdays are all about $20 1kg wings and quiz night fun, and Wednesdays offer $20 schnitzels (yes, chips, salad and sauce included). Thursdays are for steak lovers, where you can get a 300g sirloin, chips and a choice of sauce for only $28. And last but not least, Sundays after 5pm are “Community Night”, where $20 pub classics round off the week.
Happy hour runs Monday to Thursday from 4pm to 6pm and kicks off early on Fridays from 3pm to 6pm. Expect $7 pints and $7 house wines to ease you into the weekend.
With Tom Murgatroyd at the helm, the Alma Tavern has struck the ideal balance between tradition and innovation. Whether you’re after a casual pizza in the beer garden or a sit-down dinner with friends, the new menu is reason enough to pay them a visit. Just come hungry – there’s a lot to love!
Address: 66 Magill Rd, Norwood SA 5067
Kitchen Hours:
Monday – Thursday
11:30am – 3:00pm & 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Friday – Sunday
All day dining
The Adelaide Insider 