Top Restaurants in McLaren Vale
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Top 10 restaurants in McLaren Vale, Australia
Discover the best restaurant in McLaren Vale, Australia including d'Arry's Verandah, Oscars, The Salopian Inn, The Barn Bistro, Coriole Vineyards, The Kitchen Door at Penny's Hill, The Currant Shed, Ekhidna Wines McLaren Vale Cellar Door, Maxwell, Vasarelli's
Things to do in McLaren Vale
1. d'Arry's Verandah
Overall Ratings
5 based on 610 reviews
With breathtaking views overlooking the rolling hills of McLaren Vale, d'Arry's Verandah Restaurant is the idyllic place for an unforgettable dining experience. Head Chef Peter Reschke draws inspiration from local and seasonal produce to complement the award winning d'Arenberg wines, and a selection of international treats. The extensive range of d'Arenberg wines is available for tasting at cellar door.
Reviewed By amberhadel
It was my partner's 50th birthday so I booked the degustation with wine matching. What appealed especially was that they also do a vegetarian degustation which I hadn't come across before (for me). We've never had a degustation before, it's was a great experience and perfect for a special lunch. The views are amazing, the service was really attentive, the food was pretty fantastic and imaginative, and we both really enjoyed it. Only the souffle was too sweet for us, but otherwise the food was really top notch and memorable. My partner had the wine matching but I was driving so did not. There was quite a lot of wine for him to get through, from throughout their range. You could share the wine pairing, there is sometimes 2 half glasses per dish. Really recommend this for a special lunch. You also get complimentary admission to the cube as a guest of the restaurant. I didn't realise, this was not promoted in my booking email at all that this would be free. My partner saw a sign in the loo telling us that it was free to visit by chance! It would be great to promote that a bit more so people know or we wouldn't have gone in and missed out. Fantastic slow lunch, do go, it's a great afternoon.
2. Oscars
Overall Ratings
4 based on 391 reviews
Reviewed By Sooz0702 - Stockport
We were staying in McClaren Vale on a Monday evening and it was difficult to find anywhere actually open for dinner. Oscars filled the bill and it was a largely positive experience. They were busy but the service was good. Food choices were excellent and our three diners mostly enjoyed our meals - the only slight quibbles were that the appetiser portion of pasta was HUGE and my pasta main course was drowned in too much sauce. Not usually an issue but it was a very intense sauce and less ought to be more some times!
We ate outside and it was a very pleasant experience. We would definitely choose to eat there again
3. The Salopian Inn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 427 reviews
Salopian Inn Mclaren Vale reopened with an inspired refit of the 1853 homestead. Contemporary Australian cuisine with regional seasonal menu, home of Heirloom Vineyard wines, exceptional local and international wine cellar with a tantalising list of exotic gin. Opening hours - Wednesday to Sunday Lunch and Thursday, Friday and Saturday Dinner.
Reviewed By BryanF4 - Brisbane, Australia
Yep, it's expensive. Can we park that now? The Salopian Inn never disappoints. The food was as always sensational. The service was personalised, friendly and earthy but polished. I confess to just loving the experience of being able to select my wine from a cellar and have it handled as I request before it's correctly poured in the correct glass. I actually can't wait until next time. In the interests of a complete review; I think they need to fit a simple blind on one of the Western facing windows during Summer evenings. That's all.
4. The Barn Bistro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 516 reviews
Reviewed By Adelaide5000 - Adelaide
Seeking somewhere to celebrate a 79th and 14th birthday with the latter being coeliac is a complicated affair. But the lunch at The Barn ticked all the boxes.
First up, they understand coeliac requirements to avoid cross contaminated gluten free food. Everything was perfect for her. The grandparents were also very happy. And we enjoyed the friendly service and mixture of traditional food and on trend items such a ribs. The food was well executed and delicious.
I first ate at The Barn in the 1970s as a child and then in the 1990s as a newly wed. I’ve never had a poor meal there. We will return.
5. Coriole Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 192 reviews
Reviewed By Liz S
We are group of 7 and the table attendants were very professional.The Feed Me courses was excellent and provided a good variety of food.We are very lucky here in South Australia that we have local produce that can create such amazing delicate array of dishes...MoreThank you Liz! We will certainly pass your comments onto our chef and his team. We appreciate you taking the time to leave us a review!
6. The Kitchen Door at Penny's Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 197 reviews
The Kitchen Door at Penny's Hill Winery is one of McLaren Vale's most well-known and picturesque dining venues. Celebrating artisan food producers from the region, Chef Tom Boden brings over 20 years of international culinary experience to The Kitchen Door. Creating dishes reflecting the diversity of the region, you can enjoy a leisurely lunch using seasonal produce with a stunning backdrop of vines, grazing sheep and old post rail fences.
Reviewed By MuzzMcQ - Geelong, Australia
We stopped for a late lunch here and didn't book but the staff still found us a seat at a very busy time (Just post Christmas). They had sold out of the Smoked beef rib with cherry sauce sadly so we settled for the steak which was generous in size and literally melted in our mouths. We also had the Zuchinni flowers (very yum) and had the cucumber salad with Goddess Dressing which was probably aptly named as it was heavenly. Staff were very friendly and service just right, not too fast or slow. The red wines here are lovely and the only downside is that you can buy 2 of our favourite Penny's wines at Dan Murphy's for less than you can at the cellar door.
7. The Currant Shed
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 229 reviews
Located in a restored 1916 currant drying shed and set amongst a Tahitian lime grove and borded by vineyard, The Currant Shed restaurant serves regionally inspired lunches in a truly relaxed environment.Open Thursday- Tuesday for lunch Kitchen hours 12-3pm.
Reviewed By debtrip255093 - Adelaide, Australia
Have a delightful lunch for 10 people in a beautiful setting. Food and service superb. Our allocated waitress was very attentive and we could not fault our experience here. The only negative was from my 11year old noting the kids menu was limited. I would highly recommend The Current Shed.
8. Ekhidna Wines McLaren Vale Cellar Door
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 364 reviews
The Ekhidna Wines Restaurant offers one of the most picturesque dining experiences on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Ekhidna Wines Restaurant menu showcases the best of locally-sourced produce and imported international ingredients. Paired with it's award winning hand-crafted wines and beer by Matt Rechner
Reviewed By steven_wilkinson - Bury St. Edmunds, United Kingdom
It would be unfair to rate this place properly because at the last minute they closed the restraunt for renovation. It was unplanned.
However we were made to feel welcome and tasted some wines. We then took their recommendation for an alternative restraunt.
I would like to go back and try the food.
9. Maxwell
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 182 reviews
Maxwell Restaurant is an idyllic location for an unforgettable food and wine experience. The stunning limestone building is complemented by large picture windows and breathtaking views overlooking the rolling hills of McLaren Vale. Showcasing the best of the region and his own kitchen Gardens, Head Chef Fabian Lehmann offers a versatile menu including à la carte options, or for the full Maxwell experience, put yourself in his hands with one of the amazing tasting menus and let the afternoon float away. Taste wines before you dine to ensure the perfect selection, or simply let it all happen with wines expertly matched from the estate vineyards.
10. Vasarelli's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 226 reviews
The cellar door and restaurant are a family owned business owned by Maria and Michael Vasarelli, along with their parents, Pat and Vicky Vasarelli. Set in the heart of McLaren Vale, the Vasarelli's have brought to the public a combination of award winning wines and Italian's love for cooking. With recipes passed down from generations, our cuisine ranges from antipasto platters and classic pasta dishes to all organic meats and the freshest seafood. At the very central of our cooking is the insistence that food be fresh & that our chefs are able to work to their own taste, opening the door to infinite variety.
Reviewed By AilsaMacT - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Popped in here for lunch on our way through McLaren Vale and had a lovely meal. Menu is beautifully short, with some amazing sounding dishes. Highly recommend the duck pate which was just astounding. Fresh pasta for main with a wonderfully fresh sauce and my partner had a huge steak which was well cooked. Service good - attentive but not over bearing.
Will definitely come back and most certainly recommend a visit!
