Adelaide’s immersive art and dining destination awarded coveted MICHELIN Star

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An Adelaide restaurant where fine dining meets immersive art has received one of the world’s most prestigious culinary honours, with Aurora at ILA awarded one MICHELIN Star in the inaugural MICHELIN Guide South Australia 2027.

Located within Immersive Light and Art (ILA) on Light Square, Aurora has built its identity around the relationship between food and creativity, offering a dining experience that draws inspiration from the artistic environment surrounding it.

The recognition was announced at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Wednesday night, placing Aurora among the first Australian restaurants to receive a MICHELIN Star.

Led by Executive Chef Robin Wagner and Head of Hospitality James McLennan, Aurora takes a seasonal approach to fine dining, with menus shaped by sustainability, carefully sourced ingredients and contemporary cooking techniques.

One of the restaurant’s defining features is its approach to plant-based dining, with vegetarian dishes given the same attention to detail and creativity as those featuring locally sourced meat and seafood.

Rather than treating art and food as separate experiences, Aurora brings the two together, with the restaurant forming part of ILA’s broader vision as a destination for artistic expression and entertainment in Adelaide’s West End.

For Robin, the MICHELIN Star represents years of professional development, mentorship and the collective efforts of the team behind Aurora.

“This recognition is not solely a reflection of my execution and creative culinary skills, but also of the hard work, dedication, and philosophy we strive to uphold and achieve every single day,” Robin said.

Executive Chef Robin Wagner

He also acknowledged the chefs and mentors who have influenced his career, helping him develop the confidence to explore his own culinary philosophy and push creative boundaries.

The restaurant was founded by Nick and Sophie Dunstone, whose vision for ILA has placed food and hospitality at the centre of the venue’s artistic offering.

Aurora’s culinary direction has developed alongside this vision, creating a space where the experience extends beyond what’s served on the plate.

For Nick and Sophie, the recognition is particularly meaningful given the restaurant’s connection to the wider arts organisation.

“It is an incredible restaurant with inspirational food that sits at the heart of our artistic vision for ILA. The food and the artistry inspire each other to create a certain kind of magic,” they said.

The couple also credited Robin’s talent and the expertise of the restaurant’s wider team for the achievement.

Aurora’s MICHELIN Star brings international recognition to an Adelaide dining destination that approaches hospitality through a distinctly creative lens.

With its evolving seasonal menus, emphasis on sustainability and connection to ILA’s artistic program, the restaurant offers another reason for visitors to explore Adelaide’s West End.

The award also marks a significant moment for the team, who will continue developing Aurora’s food and dining experience as part of the creative community surrounding Light Square.