Clare Valley Restaurants You Must Try

We’ve rounded up our favourite Clare Valley restaurants for you to enjoy on your trip to this charming and historic wine region.

The area might be known for its wineries and cellar doors, but the Clare Valley restaurant scene is not to be underestimated. With plenty of dining options, from multi-course degustations to casual woodfired pizzas, you’ll be spoiled for choice. We’ve rounded up our favourite Clare Valley restaurants for you to enjoy on your trip to this charming and historic wine region.

1. Skillogalee Restaurant

If farm-to-table dining is your thing, look no further than the lovely restaurant at the acclaimed winery Skillogalee . The refined menu celebrates local Clare Valley and South Australian produce, including ingredients from local suppliers as well as the restaurant’s kitchen garden.

people dining al fresco at Skillogalee Restaurant — Skillogalee Restaurant elevates the farm-to-table dining experience. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission/Mike Annese)

With dishes such as chicken-liver parfait with pickled cherries, hand-rolled gnocchi with zucchini, pistachio and mint and a delectable 12-hour lamb shoulder, you’ll get a taste of Clare Valley with every mouthful.

a close-up of a dish at Skillogalee Restaurant — Choose from the refined menu at the acclaimed winery Skillogalee.(Image: John Montesi)

Address: 23 Trevarrick Rd, Sevenhill

2. Ragu and Co

Delicious Italian food in the heart of Clare? Don’t mind if we do. Ragu and Co is a warm and authentic restaurant serving saucy pastas, fresh pizzas and traditional Italian dishes that’ll transport you straight to the med.

an array of Italian dishes on the table at Ragu and Co — Relish in Italian fare at Ragu and Co.

Our pick? The crispy skin barramundi with tomatoes, capers and olives – perfection.

mushroom and truffle arancini and pasta with wine at Ragu and Co — Try Ragu and Co’s mushroom and truffle arancini paired with wine.

Address: 308 Main North Road, Clare

3. Slate Restaurant at Pikes

Known as one of the best restaurants in Clare Valley, Slate serves modern Australian dishes designed to showcase the beautiful wine produced at Pikes vineyards.

a spacious dining setup at Slate Restaurant at Pikes — Nab a table inside the spacious and elegant Slate Restaurant at Pikes. (Image: Pikes Wines)

The seasonal menu boasts a fusion of Japanese, Middle Eastern, Italian and French flavours, offering guests a surprising culinary experience that delights the palate and pairs perfectly with their delicious drops!

a chef doing meal preparations at Slate Restaurant at Pikes — Slate Restaurant at Pikes offers a fusion of international cuisines. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Address: 233 Polish Hill Road, Sevenhill

4. Watervale Hotel

This understated gem in Watervale might not have the crisp tablecloths and abundant cutlery of a fine-dining restaurant, but when it comes to excellent food, it sure delivers.

a staff arranging the dining table at Watervale Hotel — Snag a spot in the long table for lunch at Watervale Hotel. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

The hotel team prides themselves on their commitment to providing an ‘ethical epicurean’ experience, offering a range of delicious, seasonal and local dishes that cater to all dietaries.

a plate of food on the table at Watervale Hotel — Watervale Hotel commits to provide an ‘ethical epicurean’ experience. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Address: 37 Main North Road, Watervale

5. Seed Clare Valley

If you’re after a relaxed restaurant in Clare Valley serving delicious cocktails and woodfired pizzas, look no further than Seed . This casual spot has a fun rooftop bar where you can enjoy a cold drink and a slice of pizza, as well as a bistro menu for more elevated dining. Don’t miss the fab deli full of gourmet goodies including specialty cheeses and fresh cuts of meat.

specialty cheeses and meat on a platter at Seed Clare Valley — Order gourmet goodies at Seed Clare Valley.

Address: 268 Main North Road, Clare

6. Bush Devine Winery Restaurant

Native ingredients shine on the menu at Bush Devine Winery , the restaurant at Paulett Wines in Polish Hill. Expect to see lemon myrtle, saltbush, bunya nuts and finger limes enriching the dishes with a distinctly Australian twist and showcasing the outstanding flavours this area has to offer.

a food platter with matching wines at Bush Devine Winery Restaurant — Bush Devine Winery Restaurant draws ingredients from their very own Australian native garden.

If you’re opting for the five-course set menu (you should!), give yourself plenty of time to enjoy this gastronomic experience with matching wines – you won’t be disappointed.

guests enjoying food and drinks at Bush Devine Winery, Paulett Wines in Polish Hill — Indulge in a five-course set menu at Bush Devine Winery, the restaurant at Paulett Wines in Polish Hill. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Address: 752 Jolly Way, Polish Hill River

7. Mr. Mick

Mr. Mick is one of the most popular Clare Valley restaurants, and for good reason.

transferring pork belly from a pan — Mr. Mick’s twice-cooked pork belly is extra savoury. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

The historic building oozes character, while the relaxed menu features fan favourites such as cheesy arancini, squid with sweet chilli jam, and an indulgent twice-cooked pork belly you’ll be thinking about for days. They also serve a range of yummy pizzas on Sundays.

a close-up of dishes on the table at Mr. Mick — With Mr. Mick’s diverse offerings, you’ll be surely spoilt for choice. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Address: 7 Dominic Street, Clare

8. Reilly’s Restaurant

The charming town of Mintaro is home to Reilly’s Restaurant , where the tastes of the region are explored in their seasonal menu.

old people dining outside Reilly’s Restaurant — Opt for a five-course ‘Long Lunch’ with matching wines at Reilly’s Restaurant. (Image: Tourism Australia / South Australian Tourism Commission)

Whether you opt to order à la carte or fully indulge in the five-course ‘Long Lunch’ with matching wines, you’ll enjoy gourmet classics guaranteed to delight. Prefer a more relaxed bite? Try Reilly’s cellar door, where you can order grazing platters alongside your wine tasting.

a close-up shot of a food plate at Reilly’s Restaurant — Enjoy gourmet classics guaranteed to delight.

Address: Corner Leasingham Road & Hill St, Mintaro

9. O’Leary Walker Restaurant

The sleek O’Leary Walker is one of the most contemporary Clare Valley restaurants, offering a chic menu designed to share. The tightly edited selection is heavy on the small plates, so you can taste a variety of flavours from the area.

pouring wine into a glass on the dinner table at O’Leary Walker Restaurant — Wine and dine at O’Leary Walker Restaurant. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

We’re ordering the pork and lemongrass wontons, the sticky Thai peanut cauliflower, and the Shiraz-glazed beef rib with celeriac and garlic – foodie heaven. Got dietaries? Stress not. There are lots of options for our GF, DF and vegan friends, too.

a close-up shot of a dish at O’Leary Walker Restaurant — The menu is heavy on the small plates. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Address: 7093 Horrocks Highway, Leasingham

10. Antidote Kitchen

A new venture from the former head chef of Clare Valley institution Indii of Clare, Antidote is bringing Indian street food to the table at this buzzy new spot.

a close-up shot of a food on a plate alongside a drink on the table at Antidote Kitchen — Savour mouth-watering meals at Antidote Kitchen.

Originally a pop-up kitchen servicing local wineries on weekends, Antidote found their permanent home in the old Chaff Mill in Clare just a few months ago, and have been delivering mouth-watering meals every day since.

a table-top view of food plates at Antidote Kitchen — Antidote brings Indian street food to the table.

Address: 308b Main North Road, Clare

From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

1. Gosford’s glow up

room at voco gosford — Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

2. Newcomers to the dining scene

table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal — Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

3. New Central Coast experiences

winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery — Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

4. Central Coast accommodation

view from a cottage at Noonaweena — Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

5. Shopping on the Central Coast

Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast — Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .

10 Clare Valley restaurants to book