The Best Restaurants in McLaren Vale for a Foodie Feast

Rolling vineyards, lush landscapes, award-winning wineries and a tapestry of flavours that make your dining dreams come true, all less than an hour's drive from the heart of Adelaide. Whether you're a wine connoisseur, a fussy foodie, or seeking a charming country escape, McLaren Vale is one of the state's most popular wine regions for good reason.

From cosy cellar doors to quaint eateries dishing out farm-to-table goodness, we've scoured the region to find the ultimate dining experience. So gather the girls for a long lunch and book in at our tried and tested picks of the best restaurants in McLaren Vale.

d'Arry's Verandah

Wine and dine the day away at d'Arry's Verandah, the multi-award-winning foodie mecca in McLaren Vale's rolling hills. Breathing new life into a restored 19th-century homestead, the landmark venue pairs incredible vistas and exceptional cuisine with d’Arenberg's illustrious wine portfolio.

Diners can treat themselves to a lavish 8-course degustation with optional wine pairings, or select their own with two or three courses from the seasonal à la carte menu. An impressive list of awards and accolades support d’Arry’s, including Delicious SA’s top 50 most delicious restaurants in South Australia and multiple wins of Chef’s Hat, 14 points from Australian Good Food Guide.

Osborn Road, McLaren Vale

Vale Brewing Restaurant and Bar

While most people will think of bottles of rich Shiraz or fruity Grenache when visiting McLaren Vale, Vale Brewing is the state-of-the-art micro-brewery at Beresford Estate producing the original beer of the region, and their restaurant is spectacular.

With a fresh menu that pairs well with beer over wine, a sleek and modern venue, sophisticated dining reflecting the seasons and the best available produce and jaw-dropping views, this is an undeniably brilliant spot for a long lunch with drinks from the source.

 252 Blewitt Springs Rod, McLaren Flat

Salopian Inn

For an eclectic regional dining experience, it's hard to look past Salopian Inn, where you are served an edible story, crafted from scratch.

Settle into the dining room and prepare for a feast, fuelled by creative direction from chef Karena Armstrong, seasonality and produce from the Salopian Inn's organic kitchen garden. Put yourself in their capable hands and partake in the tasting menu - a showcase of their most-loved dishes from the garden, paddock and sea. 

Main Road, McLaren Vale

The Currant Shed 

Sat among McLaren Flat, The Currant Shed offers an informed yet informal dining experience across their set chef’s selection menu. Originally built in the early 1900s, the structure may have modernised, but it still holds on to its inherent charm and history.

The Currant Shed's experienced team use fresh produce from the local Fleurieu Peninsula and surrounding regions of South Australia to create seasonal, visually appealing and incredibly delicious dishes. 

104 Ingoldby Road, McLaren Flat

McLaren Vale Hotel

A quintessential part of the Australian culture, the local pub is a versatile venue, serving as anything from a meeting point, watering hole, dining spot, local pulse-check and function space. In the heart of town, the McLaren Vale Hotel excels in these diverse roles.

Book in at The Bellevue to enjoy fresh and seasonal produce-loaded dishes taking pub grub to the next level. All designed to be shared with friends, begin your feast with duck liver parfait, Gazander Coffin Bay oysters or a hearty caramelised onion tart before moving on to the mighty mains. From succulent beef cheek and chicken parmigiana to sirloin and T-bone, this is not your average pub meal.

208 Main Road, McLaren Vale

Star of Greece

Though the name would have you believe otherwise, the Star of Greece is not a Greek restaurant... though it is Mediterranean-inspired. The Port Willunga favourite started as a humble little kiosk - which still operates today if you’d rather enjoy a casual meal on the sand – but is now more commonly known as one of the best McLaren Vale restaurants.

Favouring simplicity, the menu consists of mouthwatering dishes using local and fresh ingredients like freshly shucked oysters and tuna tartare. The crew here don’t take things too seriously, encapsulating a ‘fine-and-friendly-dining' approach.  Be sure to add this to your list for the next time you want to enjoy the unbeatable trio of great food, scenic ocean views and excellent wine.

1 Esplanade, Port Willunga

Vigna Bottin

It’s all about authentic Italian food, good wine and family time at Vigna Bottin. The family-run venue – that originally started as a spot for the owners' family and friends to gather - is extremely proud of its Italian heritage and Italian wine varieties. They want to share the best parts of it with you by crafting their own ‘little slice of Italy’ in the heart of McLaren Vale.

Knowing that food and wine go hand in hand, the simple menus are designed to complement one another to create an unforgettable feast that is best when shared. Make your way through arancini, meatballs, handmade ravioli and cotoletta with a glass of Vermentino and a grin. Buon appetito!

192 Main Road, Willunga

Maxwell Wines

There is more than just immaculate interior design at Maxwell Wines. This award-winning winery and restaurant is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the tastebuds. The chic and modern dining room boasts floor-to-ceiling windows for unobstructed views of rows of rolling vineyards.

An outstanding spot to celebrate a milestone - this elegant venue is complemented by a curated tasting menu showcasing the best South Australian produce. Head Chef Fabian Lehmann brings world-class experience from Michelin-star restaurants throughout Europe to create a degustation that explores intricate flavours and textures. This is fine dining at its best, so prepare to dine in on a feast – there is no a la carte service here. If you want to keep it casual, the cellar door is open daily for tastings.

19 Olivers Road, McLaren Vale

Ekhidna Wines

This leafy locale offers one of the most picturesque dining experiences in the region, with the winery amongst never-ending vineyards. Ekhidna Wines is home to a casual cellar door for the days you want to hop from one winery to the next, while the restaurant offers a more refined long lunch experience.

Indulge in a 6-course chef’s degustation and add in paired wines, and if you prefer to choose the dishes you'll be spoilt for choice, with everything from chicken liver pate and crispy cauliflower to Kiev cut chicken breast and barramundi with green peas and pickled shallot.

67 Branson Road, McLaren Vale

The Kitchen at Bec Hardy

Boasting a seasonal menu that is fresh and full of flavour, The Kitchen at Bec Hardy is proud to serve dishes crafted from primarily Fleurieu Peninsula sustainable produce. In a converted winemaking shed with rustic charm and upscale décor, this is a relaxed yet elevated space for savouring some of McLaren Vale's finest wine and food.

The seasonal set menu pairs beautifully with wines from the Bec Hardy and Pertaringa collections. Enjoy an offering of meat dishes, small bites and seasonal desserts as you sit back, relax and enjoy the true McLaren Vale experience. 

327 Hunt Road, McLaren Vale

Serafino Wines

Set amongst 300 acres of prime vineyard real estate, Serafino has served delectable and uncomplicated food with their expertly made Italian wines for decades. The restaurant is adorned with modern aesthetic and scenic views of Lake McLaren, promising exceptional dining.

A recipient of the coveted Chef Hat Award, the contemporary menu highlights natural flavours, foregoing unnecessary complexity, ensuring an honest and unpretentious approach to cooking that consistently delights. Choose to order la carte, or treat yourself to the seasonal degustation menu, which pairs best with wine, naturally.

39 Kangarilla Road, McLaren Vale

The Little Rickshaw

If you’re okay with the extra 10-minute drive from McLaren Vale Main Road to Aldinga, then we have the spot for you. The Little Rickshaw is home to the best modern-Asian cuisine in the region, served in a warm and inviting atmosphere inside a cosy converted tin shed. The ever-changing menu will have you back for more, with dishes like chargrilled squid and jackfruit sorbet catching our eye.

Understated, friendly and fresh, we are sure you’ll agree The Little Rickshaw is worth that little extra drive.

24 Old Coach Road, Aldinga

Down the Rabbit Hole

If you’re across the most Instagram-worthy venues across Adelaide, there’s a high chance you’ve spotted the gorgeous set-up at Down the Rabbit Hole. Led by a team passionate about great wine, good company and laidback vibes, the restaurant is set in a stunning landscape and boasts a relaxed ambience. The cellar door is open for casual drop-ins and tasty pizza, and on sunny days you can enjoy a picnic on the lawn, but if it’s a feast you’re after – the DTRH restaurant, Fiore, is for you.

Leave it to the pros with a 2-hour sitting and set menu led by Executive Chef Nick Tadija, where you will enjoy a selection of their most popular dishes made from the best local produce. Dine on Friday evenings from May to October to experience the pasta and good times at ‘Nonna’s Table.’

233 Binney Road, McLaren Vale

Pizzateca

The wood-fired pizza from the imported Italian pizza oven at Pizzateca is unbelievably fluffy and light– and the option for a gluten-free base means no one misses out! Plenty of share plates are on offer, and if you opt for their ‘Feed Me’ menu, we highly recommend wearing your stretchy pants.

When the weather calls for it, the expansive lawn is filled with white tables and plastic chairs to enjoy a meal in the sun, while in winter you can cosy up inside the weather-proof pergola. Come for the pizza, stay for the year-round good vibes.

319 Chalk Hill Road, McLaren Vale

Frankie's Italo Dining and Disco & Little Wolf Osteria

When you need a fun spot for lunch, head to Mitolo Wine's Frankie’s Italo Dining and Disco. Disco music plays throughout the modern restaurant, creating a fun atmosphere for tipples from the extensive cocktail and wine list. The terrazzo tables and funky branding call for a photo shoot to capture the vibe, and Frankie’s menu has been carefully curated to share, making it perfect for a day out with friends. 

For something a little more understated, Little Wolf Osteria serves lunch that proudly shows off the best produce in the area, in a chic and sleek space. Think fresh pasta, house-made cheeses, salumi, traditional bread and bounty from the local waters.

141 McMurtrie Road, McLaren Vale

Got the taste for the best restaurants in McLaren Vale and hungry for more? Take a deep dive into the wine region with the best things to do in McLaren Vale, or venture to another of South Australia’s world-famous wine regions and hit up the best wineries in the Barossa Valley.