McLaren Vale restaurants: Our guide to the best spots to book now

With paddock-to-plate fine dining and coastal seafood meals with sweeping views, McLaren Vale’s dining scene delivers flavour, creativity and a true sense of place.

More than just a celebrated wine region, McLaren Vale has evolved into one of South Australia’s most exciting culinary destinations where chefs draw on the region’s abundant local produce to craft dishes for a long degustation lunch or a relaxed meal with friends – here are the unmissable McLaren Vale restaurants to try.

The shortlist

Best for large groups: The Kitchen at Bec Hardy
Casual eats: Pizzatecca
Best views: Silver Sands Beach Club
Great for special occasions: Star of Greece
Best wine list: The Salopian Inn

The Salopian Inn

Ask where to go for dinner in the McLaren Vale wine region and The Salopian Inn is the first restaurant to be mentioned.

The kitchen makes everything from scratch, using ingredients sourced straight from their garden, which supplies much of the fruit, vegetables and herbs. When it’s not homegrown, it’s sourced from nearby growers and producers who share their passion for ethical, sustainable food. The menu shifts with the seasons, from what’s harvested to what’s preserved or fermented, and every dish celebrates the region’s best pasture-fed meats and ethically sourced South Australian seafood.

Choose the ‘feed me’ menu or order à la carte with small plates like steamed pork buns with hoisin, ginger and chilli sauce, or Paroo kangaroo tartare with green olive and spring onion oil. Larger dishes such as grilled Coorong wild mullet or slow-cooked lamb shoulder with green olives, sumac onions and chickpeas are dishes to remember. Pair it with a choice from their award-winning drinks list – over 200 local and international gins, plus an extensive selection of local, Australian and international wines by the glass.

Cuisine: Asian and modern Australian
Average Price: $$
Atmosphere: Relaxed and comforting
Location: Corner Main Road & McMurtrie Road, McLaren Vale

Star of Greece

It’s hard to resist Star of Greece for a long lunch or elegant dinner overlooking the sea at Port Willunga. A South Australian icon for more than 20 years, this cliff-top restaurant delivers some of the most spectacular views on the Fleurieu Peninsula – best enjoyed with a glass of local wine in hand.

Whether you’re after classic fish and chips from the kiosk, drinks on the deck, or a three- or four-course feast in the restaurant, every experience is refined but welcoming. The menu isn’t Greek, but rather modern Australian with a Mediterranean influence where seafood gets a good run. Think: Kangaroo Island King George whiting (battered, crumbed or grilled) served with Greek salad and chips, or Szechuan pepper squid with green mango, apple and nahm jim.

Book ahead for special occasions and settle in to watch the sun dip into the water – it’s McLaren Vale wine region dining at its finest.

Cuisine: Mediterranean
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Coastal elegance
Location: 1 Esplanade, Port Willunga

Fiore

Down the Rabbit Hole has so much to offer, including Fiore , a bright and welcoming Italian restaurant set among the estate’s picture-perfect gardens. Headed by executive chef Nick Tadija, Fiore delivers nourishing, feel-good dishes crafted from seasonal and locally sourced produce.

The Feed Me option is perfect for long, relaxed lunches – simply share your preferences and dietary needs, then let the team surprise you with a curated feast. On Friday nights, the Nonna’s Table experience brings a touch of Italian warmth with a set menu of antipasti, handmade pasta, hearty sides and classic desserts.

For something more casual, settle into the garden for wood-fired pizza and wine on Thursdays, or enjoy live music under the stars every Friday night from November to April – it’s the kind of place that captures the easy-going spirit of McLaren Vale.

Cuisine: Italian
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Intimate
Location: 233 Binney Road, McLaren Vale

The Kitchen at Bec Hardy

Set beside the vines in a beautifully repurposed winemaking shed, The Kitchen at Bec Hardy does exceptional, share-style food that celebrates the best of the region. With its blend of rustic charm and refined touches – heritage oak vats, soft lighting and polished tableware – it’s a space designed to let the wine and food shine.

The menu focuses on fresh, seasonal and sustainably sourced local produce, much of it grown at the Tipsy Hill Estate gardens. Go simple with a charcuterie board from Ellis Butchers, paired with cheese, house-made arancini and a garden pear and greens salad. Or share one of the showstoppers – the 12-hour slow-cooked lamb shoulder on labneh with pearl couscous, preserved lemon and herbs, or the pomegranate-glazed spring chicken with dukkah, green romesco and orange-fennel salad.

Round out a meal with a tasting from the estate’s three wine ranges, choosing from the Pertaringa, Bec Hardy and Lot 94 BSR ranges, each showcasing a different side of this family’s 45-year winemaking legacy.

Cuisine: Italian
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Warm and welcoming
Location: 327 Hunt Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171

Little Rickshaw

Located within a warm tin shed – once a blacksmith’s workshop – The Little Rickshaw is a modern South-East Asian kitchen and bar that’s built a well established reputation with visitors to the area.

Owner Trinh Richards and her mother take inspiration from their Vietnamese heritage, blending traditional flavours with local, seasonal produce to create inventive, beautifully balanced dishes.

The restaurant offers a set menu only ($92 per person), featuring the chef’s weekly selection of dishes that might include bluefin tuna sashimi with daikon, kalamansi ponzu and sake capers, duck and kombu potstickers with bush tomato and soy dashi, or chargrilled wagyu striploin with honey, tamarind chilli sauce and cracked rice.

Open for lunch and dinner, the dining space includes a sheltered courtyard (with heaters in cooler months).

Cuisine: South-east Asian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Trendy and refined
Location: 24 Old Coach Road, Aldinga

Pizzatecca

At Pizzateca , generations of pizza-making tradition meet the best of South Australia’s local produce. Techniques have been passed down through the family, with every pizza made in Neapolitan style with a thin base, a perfectly puffed crust and just the right amount of char from the wood oven.

Start with their signature hand-stretched ball of mozzarella, filled with stracciatella and cream, served with seasonal sides and house-made crostini. Then move on to the 35cm wood-fired pizzas that let the ingredients shine including the deceptively simple Starita with sliced garlic, baby tomatoes and pecorino, to the fiery Diablo with salami, asiago cheese and house-made chilli honey, or the indulgent Bianco topped with portobello mushrooms, fior di latte, basil, parmesan and a drizzle of truffle oil.

It’s rustic Italian food done right – generous, honest and full of soul and designed to share with large groups of family and friends.

Cuisine: Italian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Fun
Location: 319 Chalk Hill Rd, McLaren Vale

Silver Sands Beach Club

Nothing beats a meal at the local surf club – particularly one as good as Silver Sands . Situated in front of the Aldinga Life Saving Club, the venue makes the most of the sea views with floor-to-ceiling windows. With plenty of space inside and out, it’s easy to spend a long lunch here with friends or feed the family after a morning at the beach.

Portions are generous, starting with the surf club puffy break freshly baked to order and coming with a variety of toppings including whipped woodside goat’s curd and hot Bush Organics honey.

There are Gazander oysters with apple and seaweed dressing, Nomad chicken coq au vin, a butcher’s cut of the day and beer-battered Coorong mullet with spring slaw.

Wash it down with a local beer or wine while marvelling again at the view.

Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Elevated surf club
Location: The very end of Norman Road, Aldinga Beach

The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.

Livistona palms soar out of chasms the colour of Valencia oranges. Shady waterholes beckon travellers daring to venture off the bitumen. From the air, fruit farms give way to vast plains that meet rolling hills and fascinating geological formations centuries in the making. The East Kimberley is one of Australia’s most treasured wilderness areas, but don’t be fooled by its rust-coloured roads. This north-eastern corner of Western Australia is home to some of Australia’s most iconic stays by Discovery Resorts that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

A group of people enjoy an intimate dining experience at El Questro Homestead. — Dine in the heart of nature.

Your guide to Lake Argyle

The backstory

With rolling hills that glow amber at sunrise and glassy water that reflects the Kimberley’s bright blue sky, a visit to Lake Argyle is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As Australia’s second-largest man-made freshwater lake, travellers flock here to soak in the views from boats, helicopters and Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle .

The latter is a lakeside oasis, a resort where travellers crossing from Western Australia into the Northern Territory (or vice versa) converge. Fifty minutes’ drive south of Kununurra, the property is perched atop a cliff overlooking the sprawling Lake Argyle.

Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle was originally built in the late 1960s to provide accommodation for builders of the Ord River dam, which formed Lake Argyle. In the decades that followed it had several owners, until a Kununurra local took the reins in 2004 and reinvented the property with luxury villas and its now world-famous infinity pool. The iconic property was added to the Discovery Resorts portfolio in 2021, undergoing a major upgrade that took the resort from a beloved campground to an all-encompassing resort with premium waterfront villas.

A boat glides across the expansive waters of Lake Argyle, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Kimberley. As part of the Discovery Holiday Parks experience, this unforgettable journey offers adventure and relaxation. — Glide across the vast, shimmering waters of Lake Argyle.

The rooms

A lakeside resort like no other, Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle offers something for everyone, from campsites to villas and cabins . The Deluxe Lakeview Cabins have views of the opposing cliff and are surrounded by bush, ensuring plenty of privacy, while both the Deluxe and Standard Cabins are ideal for families, with contemporary furnishings and one, two or four bedrooms. The campsites also come in a variety of sizes.

The facilities

There’s no doubt the biggest drawcard to Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle is the lake, 20 times the size of Sydney Harbour. One of the best ways to experience it is on the Kimberley Durack Sunset Explorer Cruise , during which you’ll see freshwater crocodiles nesting along the banks (it’s home to 30,000 freshies) and even get the chance to swim in their waters. The cruise also takes in Mt Misery, towering above the original and now submerged Argyle Downs Homestead.

If you have young children who need to get to bed early, a great alternative is the three-hour Lunch Explorer Cruise . You’ll tour around the lake’s bays as you learn about the local wildlife before stopping at a remote island for a swim.

Refuel between adventures at the onsite pub-style eatery, The Lake Argyle Cafe. The cafe is the heart of the resort, bringing together friends new and old over a steak, cold beer and live music. Hours vary with the seasons, but rest assured you’ll be able to enjoy a good feed year-round, with a well-stocked general store also open during the day.

Cool off from a day of exploring in the striking infinity pool with some of the best views in the country (you’ll find sweeping views of the lake below). Or enjoy a flight with HeliSpirit, or clear your mind during a yoga class on the lawn.

Two people unwind in an infinity pool, overlooking stunning Lake Argyle at Discovery Holiday Parks. — Take a dip in the infinity pool and soak in breathtaking Lake Argyle views.

Your guide to El Questro

The backstory

One of the most famous stays in Australia is El Questro . A former cattle station, it’s evolved into one of the country’s most recognisable tourism destinations over the past 30 years, and is now embarking on a new chapter to elevate the region’s rich First Nations culture.

The property draws travellers seeking to reconnect with nature and the beauty of this country. Wild in spirit but immaculate in style, El Questro is a 283,000-hectare property like no other; surrounded by dramatic gorges, impressive mountain ranges, thermal springs, secluded waterfalls and even rainforest, it’s the perfect base for adventurous souls.

A person floats leisurely in the river at Discovery Holiday Parks, immersed in nature’s tranquillity. — Float along Zebedee Springs and immerse in nature.

The rooms

Across the sprawling El Questro are three properties catering to the wide variety of travellers who journey this way. The most impressive is the luxurious Homestead , where 10 suites perch at the edge of a burnt-orange cliff, with cantilevered bedrooms over the peaceful Chamberlain River. The adults-only, all-inclusive Homestead is a member of the prestigious Luxury Lodges of Australia collection and offers a backdrop of thick bushland; riverside, you’ll find an immaculate lawn and a shaded pool that lures guests out of their rooms.

At Emma Gorge , travellers will be immersed in the beauty of the Cockburn Ranges, falling asleep to the sounds of wildlife in safari-style tented cabins. This is where you come if you want to completely connect with your environment while retaining a few creature comforts. The Emma Gorge Tented Cabins sleep three or four people and feature private ensuites and ceiling fans.

Families also love The Station , home to simple yet comfortable air-conditioned rooms, as well as a large, leafy campground. Sitting by the Pentecost River, The Station is open from April to October and has a range of accommodation, from unpowered and powered campsites to air-conditioned tents for two people and a Gardenview Family Room for five.

Two people stand beside a suite perched on the edge of a striking burnt-orange cliff, gazing out over the serene Chamberlain River below. — Take a breather with stunning views of nature all around.

The facilities

Located in the heart of the Kimberley, El Questro retains its strong connection with its Traditional Owners, the Ngarinyin people. A highlight of a stay here is the Injiid Marlabu Calls Us experience ; over two hours, guests are immersed in the soul of Country by witnessing ancient healing rituals, listening to generational stories and learning about the land’s ancestral heritage.

Other experiences include bird watching, cruising through Chamberlain Gorge, hiking through Emma Gorge, horse riding, four-wheel-driving and soaking in Zebedee Springs. At the properties, you can also cool off in the pools, and relax in the restaurants or at private dining locations. A bonus of staying at The Homestead is the exclusive service of El Questro’s dedicated reservations team, who will craft a bespoke itinerary tailored to your travel tastes.

A group of people stand beside a tree, with a car parked nearby, taking in the surrounding natural beauty. — Experience thrilling nature activities.

Book your East Kimberley adventure today with Discovery Resorts.

Our guide to the best McLaren Vale restaurants to book now

With paddock-to-plate fine dining and coastal seafood meals with sweeping views, McLaren Vale’s dining scene delivers flavour, creativity and a true sense of place.

The shortlist

The Salopian Inn

Star of Greece

Fiore

The Kitchen at Bec Hardy

Little Rickshaw

Pizzatecca

Silver Sands Beach Club

This coastal wine region serves up world-class shiraz, fresh produce and scenic trails

Our guide to the best cafes in McLaren Vale

Our guide to the best McLaren Vale accommodation

The best wineries and cellar doors in the McLaren Vale

Inspire your senses with these iconic East Kimberley stays

The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.

Your guide to Lake Argyle

The backstory

The rooms

The facilities

Your guide to El Questro

The backstory

The rooms

The facilities