Hentley Farm, Lou’s Place, Harvest Kitchen among the Barossa Valley’s 20 best restaurants
When it comes to food, the Barossa Valley is spoiled for choice. There was stiff competition, but we’ve picked 20 of the top restaurants in the region.
Barossa, Clare & Gawler
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The Barossa Valley is not only world famous as a wine region, but as an epicentre of food and hospitality experiences.
Throughout the valley there are local dining stalwarts, as well as new gems appearing constantly.
Whether you’re after a schnitty and chips, or a fine dining experience, the Barossa Valley truly has it all.
With this in mind, the Barossa, Clare & Gawler News crunched the numbers and decided on our top 20 favourite places to eat in the Barossa.
If you think we’ve missed a contender, let us know in the comments below.
HENTLEY FARM
The COVID-19 shutdowns and slowdowns gave many hospitality and cellar door teams the opportunity to reflect on and adapt their approach to service.
This can definitely be said about Hentley Farm, which has restructured its vineyard property, opening up the kitchen and creating a new outdoor area for wine tasting.
While enjoying the beautiful surroundings of the property, guests can sample an array of platters with wine tastings or alternatively book into the Atrium Dining Experience.
The Atrium Dining Experience features six courses of food, takes approximately three hours and is the new signature culinary attraction for Hentley Farm.
While primarily a wine focused setting, the pairings of premium food and snacks by staff at Hentley Farm serve as a memorable experience.
Must try: Fried mushroom doughnuts
LOU’S PLACE
Lou’s Place is the brainchild of ex-MasterChef contestant Callum Hann and business partner Themis Chryssidis and is situated in the boutique Lou Miranda Estate Winery in the southern part of the Barossa.
Offering exquisite premium Mediterranean food, the chef’s have been careful not to constrain themselves with a particular discipline of Mediterranean cuisine.
Their menu structure accommodates for all occasions, including a “feed me quick” option which aims to bring the best to patrons without a multiple course undertaking.
The dining area is also a highlight with tall arches invoking a sense of drama to any occasion.
Must try: Ricotta filled agnolotti, burnt butter, anchovies and walnuts
EL ESTANCO
El Estanco – recent winner of our best cafe competition – also doubles as a restaurant on Friday nights.
The wood oven pizzas on offer are sublime, and the El Estanco team often invite a small local independent winery to showcase their wines in the evening.
Patrons can expect delicious food in the warm and sophisticated environment of the brilliantly refurbished and tastefully modernised Greenock general store, which is over 100 years old.
The Columbian attention to detail, hospitality and flavour also comes out through El Estanco’s food.
Must try: Their wide range of pizza every Friday night
ST HUGO
St Hugo is among the best epicurean experiences in the Barossa and well worth the wait.
Executive Chef Nik Tucker adapts to the seasonal produce on offer and creates flavoursome dishes primarily through cooking with coals.
St Hugo’s on site kitchen garden serves to keep things fresh and all meals are made with the intention of promoting natural flavours so as not to overpower the wines on offer.
Must try: Poached apricot, coriander sugared doughnuts and a St Hugo 1970 Tawny
HARVEST KITCHEN
Not far outside of Tanunda, Harvest Kitchen is a must visit if you’re in the area.
The dining areas at Harvest Kitchen are spectacular and the attentive staff
It’s earthy and delicious food is designed to please and that it does, with offerings like the buttermilk fried chicken or beetroot carpaccio, fresh curd and toasted hazelnut.
We highly recommend the option to “feed me like a Barossan” where the friendly staff will feed you in an array of dishes designed to make you feel at home.
Must try: The salted caramel sundae with toffee popcorn
LYNDOCH HILL RESTAURANT
The striking architecture at the Lyndoch Hill Restaurant is a good indication that it offers a striking culinary experience.
Many food experiences are on offer here, including an ever changing A La Carte menu and a Seasonal Tasting menu where patrons are encouraged to trust the chef.
This trust is well placed as what follows is a showcase of Lyndoch Hill’s private garden produce, and those of local producers.
Hero dishes include the “The Deer Farm” Birdwood Venison, local Berkshire pork, SA wild caught seafood and the signature house baked bread.
Stay a couple of nights to get the full Lyndoch Hill experience.
Must try: “The Deer Farm” venison
OANH KITCHEN
Nestled in the main street of Angaston, Oanh Kitchen offers one of the top Asian dining experiences in the area.
While it’s not a fine dining venue comparable with some of the cellar door venues in this list, Oanh Kitchen’s food speaks for itself.
Locals flock to the business regularly for sizeable takeaway meals while diners are treated to excellent service and presentation.
Oanh’s Kitchen is a brilliant example of Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine and punches with the best of Adelaide and beyond.
Must try: The Seafood Laksa
FINO SEPPELTSFIELD
Fino describes itself as the epitome of progressive regional dining in South Australia and it is difficult to disagree.
The longstanding partnership between directors, chef David Swain and front-of-house personality Sharon Romeo has resulted in one of the most prestigious restaurants in SA.
Originally Fino was situated in McLaren Vale, but in 2014 the pair were invited to open their restaurant within the world renowned Seppeltsfield winery.
This was a match made in heaven which has only served to strengthen the food and dining experience at Fino.
Visitors can expect a menu with locally sourced produce catering to a range of guest experiences.
Must try: Taste your birth year tour/signature experience
THE FARM EATERY
For fans of Maggie Beer, this restaurant is non-negotiable as it is run by the famous South Australian’s daughter, Elli Beer.
Native ingredients abound in this homely setting beside Maggie Beer’s farm shop, and chef Tim Bourke’s menu is both exquisite and satisfying.
Chef Bourke also runs cooking classes on site where patrons can find out first hand how each dish was crafted.
Must try: The citrus cured salmon.
FERMENTASIAN
Situated in the heart of the Barossa in Tanunda, FermentAsian has struggled to keep up with demand after reopening from COVID-19 closures.
As the picture above suggests, most of the produce for FermentAsian is grown in Chef Tuoi Do’s own family farm.
This freshness comes through in every dish, from signature caramelised pork with fresh betel leaves and Hanoi spring rolls, to dumplings or yellow curry.
The flavour and integrity of each dish is astounding as each Asian staple is done with care and attention to authentic traditional flavours.
While not typically an area featuring many Asian restaurants, it's fantastic to see Asian dining options gaining popularity in the Barossa.
Must try: Massaman chicken curry
THE TANUNDA HOTEL
For a more affordable meal and approachable dining experience, you can’t go past the historic Tanunda Hotel.
In fact, going through Tanundas main street you literally can’t miss the charming double storey building which also offers accommodation.
Inside the pub, the menu is balanced and well priced with generous servings you may have come to miss at your local.
Pub classics are all done exceptionally well and all dietary requirements accommodated for with dedicated meal options.
Put simply the Tanunda hotel’s warm and cheerful atmosphere paired with its exceptional pub-grub, makes for a lovely lunch or dinner in the heart of the Barossa.
Must try: The eggplant parmigiana
CASA CARBONI
Casa Carboni is both a cooking school, wine bar and restaurant in the heart of Angaston.
Run by Italian chef Matteo Carboni and his Australian wife Fiona, Casa Carboni offers perhaps the most authentic Italian food in the whole Barossa.
Chef Carboni is as Italian as they come having grown up in Parma, Italy, before moving to Australia and starting the business in 2012.
Matteo and Fiona’s desire to pass on the knowledge of Italian cooking using Barossa produce, combined with fine wine and the joy of sharing both with good company is the cornerstone of the Casa Carboni experience.
Must try: Whichever pasta Matteo cooks on any given day!
BAROSSA BRAUHAUS HOTEL
Another iconic Barossa pub, the Barossa Brauhaus hotel offers a comforting and friendly dining experience in an incredible building.
Situated on Angaston’s main street, the Brauhaus is currently Angaston’s main hotel while the Angaston Hotel undergoes renovations.
Guests can expect pub favourites done right as well as daily specials with an extensive wine list and tap selection.
Must try: 300g porterhouse steak
APPELLATION
Appellation is a part of the luxury retreat in the Barossa, The Louise, and offers a top tier food experience.
It’s food certainly suits the criterion for excellence set by every other aspect of the complex.
Breathtaking views of surrounding vineyards can be enjoyed with stunning world class dishes like chicken liver parfait spiked with peri peri spices, or scallop, green apple and dashi pearls.
Chef Kyle Johns ensures
85% of all ingredients come from the Barossa Valley and the in-house sommelier pairs these locally sourced dishes with Barossa wine pairings.
Must try: Chicken liver parfait
VINTNERS BAR & GRILL
Situated in Angaston, Vintners is perhaps one of the longest running top restaurants on this list and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Their list of accolades over those years speaks for itself and demonstrates an unwillingness to settle or remain stagnant.
Their location among vineyards and a short distance from the weekly Angaston farmers market has likely been crucial to the restaurants ongoing success.
Must try: Poussin, fennel, baby beets, king brown mushroom & thyme
MUSQUE FOOD & WINE
Musque Food & Wine is a unique & busy food, wine & gin space in Tanunda.
Situated on the Tanundas main street, Musque always has a certain energy and excitement which draws you in.
In fact, Musque stands out from this list as not only a top performing restaurant with its use of local produce, but as a venue and destination conducive to a great evening.
It is quite often lively space with a great offering of both quality food & beverages.
Its this blend of being both a restaurant and bar that is special about Musque, and a big reason why it is worth visiting.
Must try: Soft centred chocolate fondant
CHAR BAROSSA
Char Barossa offers a relaxed dining experience and quality food featuring predominantly, you guessed it, the char grill.
Because of this char grill focus Char is well known for exceptional steaks which pair well with any of the Barossa shiraz varieties on offer.
With a seasonally changing menu, this family business has become a favourite for both locals and tourists alike.
Good honest, delicious food, sourced locally and situated directly across the Barossa Visitor Centre in Tanunda, what's not to love?
Must try: Steak paired with a Barossa shiraz
SALTERS KITCHEN
Another restaurant adjacent to a cellar door, Salters Kitchen is next to the Saltram Wine Estate cellar door and specialises in Australian cuisine.
Head chef Scott Liddell, cut his teeth at Penfolds before moving to the Salters kitchen in 2012.
His menu takes the concept and flavours of a traditional Australian barbecue and lifts it into new territory.
Each dish is more tasty and satisfying than you’d ever expect at your local barbie.
Must try: Prawn skewers
saltramwines.com.au/en-au/visit-us/salters-kitchen
1918 BISTRO & GRILL
1918 Bistro and Grill is yet another testament to the Barossa’s unwavering ability to hold on to and celebrate heritage.
Set in a 100 year old home with fireplaces and high ceilings, 1918 celebrates all things Barossa.
Interestingly 1918 holds the honour of the Barossa’s first restaurant, opening in 1992 by a group of locals who valued the history of the antique home.
The quaint and welcoming setting welcomes you before being treated to a menu which is as Barossan as they come.
Must try: Grilled octopus
THREE75 BAR + KITCHEN
Three75 also forms a part of The Louise luxury retreat with The Appellation.
It’s way of doing things however are far more straightforward and directly aimed to satisfy hungry travellers or locals with comfort food classics.
The three75 team proudly offer cherished classic meals “which you want to pick up with your hands”.
Burgers are a specialty and go down best with a cocktail.
Must try: Beef burger with chips
Tell us what you think. Are there other deserving restaurants that should make the cut? Let us know in the comments.
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