By Olivia Williams
There are a few sounds that instantly transport you back to childhood: the crack of a footy on a Saturday morning, the screech of a Hills Hoist spinning too fast, and the crinkle of a paper bag filled with something sweet, sticky or gloriously deep fried. South Australia has always punched well above its weight in the food department, and for many of us, our earliest memories are flavoured with the state’s most iconic treats.
Frog cakes
Adelaide’s sweet little time machine
Equal parts adorable and terrifying depending on your age at first encounter, the Frog Cake is pure SA nostalgia. Created by Balfours in 1922, these pastel coloured sponge and cream frogs were a birthday party staple long before themed cakes became a sport.
Where to find it now:
You can still pick up the original at Balfours outlets and selected bakeries across the state, or head to the Central Market for the full nostalgic hit.
Fruchocs
The snack that never retired
Apricot and peach purée coated in chocolate, a combination so perfect it feels like it should have been invented by a grandmother. South Aussies grow up knowing that a road trip is not official until someone buys a bag of Menz Fruchocs.
Where to find it now:
Everywhere from servo counters to supermarket shelves, but the most joyful visit is the Menz factory outlet in Glynde, where you can stock up like it is the apocalypse.
Pie floaters
The late night legend
Love it or judge it, the pie floater holds a special place in SA lore. A flaky meat pie bobbing in pea soup at 1am after a night out? That is history worth respecting. While the classic street carts are gone, the dish itself lives on.
Where to find it now:
The Pie Floater food truck and a handful of pubs still honour the tradition, and Thebarton’s Café de Vili’s often brings its own version into rotation.
Today, those nostalgic favourites are not just still around, they are thriving, reinvented, or quietly holding their place in our collective heart. Here is a look back at the foods that shaped SA childhoods, and where to find the best versions now.
Kitchener buns
The original cheat day
Before doughnuts became novelty desserts, there was the Kitchener bun: soft, sugary and stuffed with cream thick enough to stop traffic. Every country bakery had their own version, and locals would fiercely debate which one was best.
Where to find it now:
Dulwich Bakery, Bakery on O’Connell, and countless regional bakeries still make beautiful Kitchener buns, the kind that require two hands and zero shame. Crafers Bakehouse has officially claimed the title of South Australia’s best Kitchener bun, making it a must visit for anyone chasing the ultimate cream filled indulgence.
Golden North
The ice cream of endless summers
For many, childhood tasted like Golden North honeycomb or vanilla, usually eaten too fast on a stinking hot day and down the front of your shirt. Proudly originating in Laura, the brand has stayed fiercely South Australian, recently announcing a factory move to Murray Bridge.
Where to find it now:
Supermarkets statewide, but for something special, try a scoop from Golden North Café at Laura.
Farmer’s Union iced coffee
Practically a state badge
Let’s be honest, in SA this is not just a drink. It is a personality trait. Whether you were raised on the classic carton or graduated to the Strong, FUIC is the unsung hero of morning tea and beach trips.
Where to find it now:
In every dairy fridge across the state. It is still the undisputed champion of the servo beverage lineup.
Woodies lemonade
The flavour of country towns
Before craft sodas were cool, there was Woodies. Bright, sweet and legendary at school fetes, showgrounds and long drive servo stops.
Where to find it now:
Most country servos still stock it, and many Adelaide IGAs keep the classic bottles on hand.
And then there were the staples behind the scenes…
Our childhood pantries were quietly shaped by some of SA’s biggest food icons: Haigh’s (still the gold standard for choccy treats), Bickford’s (cordials that meant summer holidays had officially begun), San Remo (our pasta backbone), and Coopers for the grown ups’ version of nostalgia.
Why these foods still matter
Maybe it is the taste. Maybe it is the memories. Or maybe it is that South Australians have always taken pride in homegrown goodness. These foods connected families, fuelled traditions and anchored moments, from after school snacks to birthday parties to country town pit stops.
Today they are more than just treats. They are edible heirlooms, little reminders of where we have come from, and why this state still feels like home.
