McLaren Vale Restaurants

The Currant Shed has been our personal favourite lunch time restaurant now for many years and continues to delight us.

They simply represent what we believe is a quintessential McLaren Vale dining experience. Relaxed atmosphere, superb food and excellent service.

And to top it all: the Currant Shed is in walking distance to Karawatha Cottages …

The Bec Hardy Wines cellar door (also home of Pertaringa) has undergone a beautiful makeover and now also features what Bec & Richard prefer to call a food experience.

Grazing platters during the week, but on weekends, you can indulge in a selection of bespoke & delicious sharing plates and obviously, their wines ...

First off, other than the name suggests, the Star of Greece is not a Greek restaurant – but named after a ship, The Star of Greece, that floundered at the normally very calm waters off Port Willunga in 1888.

The restaurant sitting on top of the sandstone cliffs offers amazing views over the coastline & sunset ...

Given its function centre, cellar door and hotel complex, Serafino may not be top of mind for fine dining but it definitely should be listed right up there.

And even after the recent renovation, the restaurant feels a bit cold - but it is the quality and presentation of the food certainly has taken us by surprise ...

Even after having been at Pizzateca many times, I am still surprised and instantly feel transposed to Italy.

Not sure why that is – the building doesn’t look Italian at all and the large gum trees don’t fit either, but believe, it must be the hustle and bustle around, music playing and the smell of pizza in the air ...

It may “just” be a hotel, but there is no ordinary pub food here and The Victory fills a void in the McLaren Vale restaurant scene: reasonably priced fine dining in a casual atmosphere.

​And, The Victory is open daily for lunch and dinner, features an outstanding wine cellar, has a beer garden, plus great views ....

How fortunate are we in McLaren Vale that the historic pub has been brought back to life and is standing proud again along main street.

And with Josh Larken as head chef we have a casual dining place, open daily, with outstanding food - from high end pub food to some exquisite takes on local cuisine  …

Just 500 m from Karawatha Cottages is the Woodstock Wine Estate, featuring the 'Stocks Room' cellar door, the 'Coterie Wine Bar & Kitchen', plus their very own wildlife sanctuary.

With many 'wine inspired' dishes, you can choose from a range of smaller and larger plates - or simply indulge in the Coterie Seasonal Table and be treated to a broad selection of the foods available ...

If you need another proof point that McLaren Vale is a true wine and food destination, then look no further than Maxwell Restaurant, offering a truly exceptional dining experience.

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The revamped cellar door at Maxwell Wines features a true fine dining restaurant - with each dish a visual and culinary treat ...

Coriole Vineyards has always been a favourite of ours and we are always happy to recommend to our guests at Karawatha Cottages -- even if just for some of the best views in McLaren Vale - but who would do that and miss out on the great wines and food on offer?

It may no longer be Gather at Coriole but the restaurant still offers an excellent, relaxed dining experience ...

TLR or ‘The Little Rickshaw’ for a long time was a little secret gem on the McLaren Vale dining set, has now deservedly been named Best South-East Asian restaurant in SA – and rightly so.
Tucked in an old shed in the Aldinga dining precinct, it offers simply outstanding food, casual atmosphere and most attentive service …

Stunning vineyard views, great wines and beers, plus friendly & joyful service - all that makes the Ekhidna Wines cellar door and restaurant a special place to visit.

Choose between the fine dining style set-up in the restaurant or, our pick here, go for the tapas style lighter lunch in the cellar door courtyard ...

Sadly, Hortas has closed their doors for good … but the good news is that the new owners are busy renovating and getting ready to set up their restaurant already.

Not only won’t it be called Hortas anymore, but it will be change from Portuguese to Italian cuisine; and what won’t change is the location with the stunning views …

Stunning views, wood-fired oven pizza, followed by yummy gelati and coffees - what else do we need for a relaxed afternoon in the sun?

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Maybe a showcase of Italian varietals wines, all grown and made here in McLaren Vale? Tempted - then head over to the Beach Road Wines Cellar Door & Restaurant ...

Perched on top of a hill with some of the best views in McLaren Vale and in walking distance to your cottage: the Vale Brewing Taphouse surprisingly offers fine dining (plus a few pizza options) in a taphouse style atmosphere. 

In addition to their beers, you will find the Beresford Wines and 23rd Street Distillary products   ...

Another long time favourite and ‘must visit’ restaurant - now one of only 3 McLaren Vale restaurants  with a Good Food Guide Chefs Hat.

If we have to summarize in one sentence, then the experience at The Salopian Inn is all about the trifecta of the beautifully restored old homestead, high quality local and fresh food and the not to be missed old red wine cellar ...

One of the classic McLaren Vale dining experiences, and rightly so.

d'Arry's Verandah Restaurant has all that makes it quintessential McLaren Vale dining experience:
A 19th century converted homestead as restaurant with sweeping views over the vineyards, amazing food and obviously great wine.

And did we mention the d'Arenberg wines and The Cube already? ...

Known for its gourmet pizzas, Oscarsis however not “just another pizza place” but has a lot more to offer. A Mediterranean  menu ranging from salads, pasta to local meat and seafood dishes - with gluten and vegan options available.

Perfect for the casual night out in a McLaren Vale restaurant.

Find out more what we like about it …

Nestled between vines, just off McMurtrie Road and built from shipping containers is the Mitolo Wines cellar door with an attached fine dining restaurant: Little Wolf Osteria.

Re-launched as a pure Italian fine dining destination, it may not be an Osteria in the traditional sense, but the food is simply amazing ...

Pasta anyone?

​That is actually not doing it justice as there is a lot more to the Vasarelli Cellar Door Restaurant than pasta, but sometimes lovely 'nonna style' pasta, together with a glass of McLaren Vale wine, is all we need as an excuse for leisurely night (or lunch) out  …

Not that you need an excuse to visit Wirra Wirra but Harry's Deli does justify a stop in its right. Part of the historic cellar door, Harry's Deli offers fantastic cafe style food - casual, relaxed and yummy.

And if you are just after a good coffee and something sweet - they have you covered as well. Find out more …