Destination Dining: Sea Salt, Adelaide

Sea Salt boasts idyllic views of the sea. Photo / Facebook

269 Seaview Rd, Henley Beach, Adelaide

We arrived… on a blustery autumn afternoon. Usually this seaside diner would be packed on a Saturday afternoon, with sun-seekers crowding the outside terrace as they enjoy an ice cold beverage beside one of Adelaide's most popular beaches. But the unseasonable cold snap has driven the crowds away, leaving us to enjoy sweeping views of the South Australian coast in peace.

We chose here because… our favourite Greek restaurant was closed for lunch so we decided to check out the new addition across Henley Square, which opened in early 2018. We'd heard good things about the colourful eatery, which offers two levels of waterfront dining. With a focus on fresh, sustainable seafood, SeaSalt puts a sophisticated twist on a classic seaside fish and chippery. But it also offers beachfront takeaways – served out of a side hatch – for those who can't be bothered rinsing off the salt and sand and would rather stay in their togs to watch the sunset.

The exterior of Sea Salt. Photo / Facebook

Our first impression was… the turquoise and white colour palette is fresh and fun and feels a bit like stepping into a retro pop art painting. We were greeted by a cheerful waitress who pointed us to the best view in the house and made quick work of our drinks order.

We started with… after much deliberation, we settled on a barramundi schnitzel burger, served with curried wombok slaw, pickles and chips, and the Singaporean chilli fish wings with Szechuan pepper and Asian herbs. We were also seriously tempted by the chips and blue swimmer crab gravy and the smoked eel croquettes but decided to exhibit some self-restraint. For once.

The chips 'n' blue swimmer crab gravy. Photo / Facebook

The highlight was… The fish wings were outstanding - simmered in a thick, fragrant chilli sauce that had just the right amount of heat. We were also very taken with the chips, which accompanied the barramundi burger. They were crisp, golden and seasoned with just a hint of smoky paprika that really elevated them beyond your standard french fry.

Dessert was… limited. You can choose between a rum-poached pineapple fritter or cinnamon donuts with ice cream. Classic seaside sweets.

Come here if… You want to enjoy perfectly fresh seafood with a vast ocean outlook that rivals some of the best in the world. The menu is compact but offers a unique range of flavours.

Singaporean-spiced barramundi wings. Photo / Facebook

The bill… was a very reasonable A$65, which included two mains, two glasses of wine and sparkling water. We suspect we may have been undercharged but only realised after we left. Or perhaps there was a happy hour we hadn't cottoned on to. Either way, it was exceptionally good value.