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

No one does road trips like Australians. Make your journey perfect.

The humble road trip is a way of life in Australia, and it’s not the same here as it is anywhere else. Sure, you could fly, but then you’re missing out on the bonding time and priceless memories that get made along the way (good or bad, you’ll be sharing them for years to come). Not to mention, some of Australia’s most worthwhile and untouched places can only be accessed by road .

But how to ensure your road trip is quintessentially perfect? Why use this checklist, of course.

1. Start with the perfect vehicle

A woman sitting while reading inside Star RV Motorhomes spacious Polaris 6. — Relax with stunning views in a spacious motorhome. (Image: Demi Gavin)

I can tell you from experience, nothing will push even the most tight-knit group to devolve into chaos and fighting faster than a vehicle that isn’t up to the task of a proper road trip. Enter the premium options of Star RV Motorhomes.

They have a range of sizes to suit any group, from solo travellers and couples to families. And they’re designed to be easy to drive.

Take the Polaris 6 , for example. This light-filled sanctuary of comfort has plenty of space for bigger groups. Three double beds, a shower and toilet, and an extendable awning (with room to move between them all) make it perfect for exploring Australia.

Couples might prefer the Polaris 2 with a fully self-contained bathroom, kitchen and a bed for two that transforms into comfortable seating during the day. Both models are pet-friendly.

2. Pack the tastiest snacks

A couple having a picnic beside Star RV Motorhomes. — Make use of the spacious storage in your Star RV.

Road trip snacks are an Australian art. Some, you’ll need to pick up along the way. We’re talking the iconic Chico Roll, choccie milk and maybe a sneaky potato scallop (or several).

Others, you can pack ahead of time to save on time and, usually, money. Thankfully, Star RV Motorhomes all come with plenty of storage space, so your snacks can last as long as your road trip. Think fresh fruit and other supplies to cook lunch and dinner along the way. Plenty of lollies and maybe even some soft drinks and Red Bulls for the road.

Not to mention, many Star RV motorhomes have a kitchen onboard, complete with a full-size kitchen, so you won’t need to lug an esky around.

3. Bring your pet for the ride

A child and its pet inside Star RV Motorhomes. — Travel Australia with your four-legged co-pilot. (Image: Erin Bacchi)

Man’s best friend is essential for a truly Aussie road trip. Pet-friendly Star RV Motorhomes not only mean your dog (or cat, if they enjoy the open road more than mine do) can experience Australia with you, but that you save a small fortune on pet sitters or dog hotels.

4. Prepare the perfect soundtrack

Two people having coffee with a view. — Chase the journey and the destination.

No ifs, ands or buts, the perfect soundtrack can make or break a road trip. It’s really up to you, but we recommend plenty of Australian classics. Cold Chisel never hits quite the same as when you’re listening to it with only gumtrees and kangaroos for company.

Of course, this means you’ll also need a good sound system to listen to your carefully curated tunes on. Star RV motorhome sound systems allow you to connect your device and play your own music. Goodbye, spotty radio reception.

5. A spacious tent and camping gear

A woman sitting inside Star RV Motorhomes with a view of the lake in the background. — Enjoy soft linens and space to stretch. (Image: Cariund Hannes)

If there’s one thing that a road trip can guarantee, it’s a campsite or several. So you’d better source a good sturdy tent, sleeping back, and a camping mattress that probably won’t help much – but it’s better than the ground.

Or, just hire a motorhome so your vehicle is also your bed, and comfort is a priority (goodbye foam camp mattresses) with linens provided. And you’ll have room to unpack and move around. Heaven.

6. Plan your toilet breaks

Typically, an Aussie road trip means pulling over at a good bushy area or finding a horrific pit toilet on the side of the road – the smell of which will stay with you forevermore. If you’re planning to camp, better pack that handy shovel and find a good, bug-free place to dig your own loo hole.

To avoid that hassle (and smell), forgo the shovel and hire a motorhome with an onboard toilet. When the toilet comes with you, there are no emergency roadside stops. Plus, it’s a whole lot fresher.

7. Pick the ultimate destination

Aerial view of the Polaris 6 cruising along a coastal road with sweeping beach views. — Hit the road, Aussie-style. (Image: Matt Finch)

Of course, the journey is half the fun. But the other half is an incredible destination. With accommodation and transportation sorted out with one motorhome, you have the flexibility to choose a gorgeous view for the night (or several).

There are endless views to choose from, like the rugged cliff faces of Queensland’s Carnarvon Gorge National Park. Carnarvon Gorge camping area (near the visitor area) and the Big Bend walkers’ camp both have bushy surrounds and a trail to the gorge itself.

Or Lake Argyle, Western Australia‘s largest man-made freshwater reservoir. Find the only dedicated camping and caravan park at Lake Argyle Resort.

Meanwhile, Mount Buffalo National Park in Victoria is prolific for its wildlife. Wander through snow gum forests and keep an eye out for wombats, Australian kestrels and more. There are several camp options here.

Start planning your Australian road trip adventure (and get 15 per cent off on any Star RV motorhome rental in Australia) at starrv.com/au .

Our guide to the best McLaren Vale restaurants to book now