Images: Stone Marketing (supplied)
It’s not every day the Beach Burrito crew pivots from tacos to trattoria vibes, but here we are, and it’s a delicious plot twist.
Pia’s officially opened on Broadway in Glenelg South last week, and while she may be the Italian baby of a proudly Mexican parent, she’s already showing off a personality all her own. Sun-lit spritzes under bright orange umbrellas, airy pizza crusts begging to be dipped, and that cosy, lived-in feeling once thought only found at Nonna’s house. It lives at Pia’s, and so does the Glenelg foreshore.
The menu follows the classic Italian philosophy. Simple offering, expertly executed. Pizza steals the show of course, and the Pia’s dough is proofed for 48 hours, “resulting in a crisp, airy crust that pairs dangerously well with the house vodka dipping sauce,” venue manager Angus Bathurst-Warren tell us.
The Margherita is the no-brainer order, but Angus says the Porco Ricco – loaded with triple-smoked ham and chilli pineapple – is controversial for all the right reasons.
“[The Porco Ricco] will finally put an end to the hottest topic in town…SHOULD pineapple go on pizza…you will have to come down and decide,” he shares.
He’s calling it. That’s the one that will settle this city once and for all.
Drinks keep things light. A tight little wine list, local favourites and spritzes lining up for summer glory, all designed to encourage lingering. There’s Happy Hour every day from 4–6pm – $5 antipasti, $8 wines, $12 spritzes – and bottomless brunch is already locked in for launch soon. You’ve been warned.
Design-wise, Pia’s leans more into the energy of a bar than a straight-up restaurant. Owner and design lead Emma Read pulled inspiration from the easy elegance of coastal Italian trattorias, and Adelaide’s TE Built and Renelec helped bring it to life.
Inside is warm and intimate. Deep tones soften the room, candles give off an old-world charm, olive trees serve Italian, and the brown and white tablecloths are a tongue-in-cheek nod to the red-and-white classics. The art lifts the room even more, mixing bold abstract pieces with classic Italian prints to create an aesthete’s dream. And the venue itself, housed in a heritage sandstone cottage, sets the mood as soon as you arrive.
“It’s a space that works just as well for young families, groups of friends or Nonni’s out for dinner,” says Angus.
“Outside, the bright orange umbrellas feel straight from Italy and practically beg you to order an Aperol spritz.”
Pia’s doesn’t just want to feed the neighbourhood, they want to deliver to it. In true hospitality-heart fashion, you’ll soon see the same smiling faces serving the spritzes also bringing your pizza to the couch. No generic deliveries here.
The Beach Burrito team has long called Glenelg home. Their mid-century inspired Mexican beach house has stood tall on the bustling Jetty Road since 2014, so it makes sense that their next chapter lives just a taco’s throw away. As Adelaide advocates, the team has been ready to welcome a second SA child since the first came along.
“I’ve seen so many spaces across our gorgeous city and I’m so excited that we finally landed on one so close to home,” Angus shares.
“Our focus is locals and near local – yes even Seacliff. We’re so lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world, so creating opportunities for more ways to experience our wonderful suburb is really important for us.”
Pia’s is ready. She’s “fun, bold, a little cheeky, but still unmistakably Italian,” and set to become your hangout spot. Come for the spritz. Stay for the pizza. Return with your friends in multiples. Even bring Nonna. Pia’s is a neighbour you’re going to want to get to know.
“We want people to sit, sip and slice. Somewhere to come that is unpretentious, warm and welcoming where you can enjoy a pizza, wine or spritz, either in the sun on our patio or warm and cosy in the converted living rooms,” Angus adds.
Pia’s
Where: 51 Broadway, Glenelg South
When: Monday to Thursday 4pm-9pm, Friday and Sunday 12pm-9:30pm
For more info, click here.
@pias.glenelg
