Watervale Hotel in Clare Valley named best culinary experience in the world

2023’s best culinary experience in the world is right on our doorstep – check out the South Australian eatery that’s turning international heads.

Would you believe that just over an hour-and-a-half drive away from Adelaide is the world’s best restaurant of 2023?

Well, believe it, as the iconic Watervale Hotel in the Clare Valley wine region has just taken home the title.

The hotel was named ‘Best Culinary Experience’ in the world by LUXlife Magazine’s Travel and Tourism Awards 2023 as well as awarded ‘Best Hotel Restaurant of the Year’ in the global Corporate Livewire awards.

“It’s (Corporate Liveware) a publication that amoungst other things recognises innovation and excellence across between 600 and 700 categories on a global basis,” Watervale Hotel owner Warrick Duthy said.

“The feedback we had was that the food’s great, the ambience is great, service is great, what have you, but what they basically said what you’re doing is unique in the world. It’s innovative.”

Mr Duthy said if people do have a bucket list, look no further than visiting the hotel.

“We’re on Adelaide’s doorstep, when people are thinking about bucket list experiences they don’t necessarily have to travel to the other side of the world, all they have to do is jump in the car for an hour and a half,” he said.

Watervale Hotel owner Warrick Duthy outside the pub in the Clare Valley. Picture: Ben Clark

Clare Valley's Watervale Hotel. Picture: Dougal McFuzzelbutt

But the hotel is no stranger to awards.

Since reopening after renovations in 2020 it has collected over 20, most recently the 2022 Restaurant and Catering award for ‘Best Restaurant in a Pub or Club in Australia’ as well as the 2021 ‘Best Wine List in Australian Country Pub’ and the Tourism Industry Council of South Australia’s award for 2022 ‘Best Tourism Restaurant’.

Watervale Hotel owners Warrick Duthy and Nicola Palmer, fine dining with their own-grown produce in the Clare Valley. Picture: Ben Clark

Mr Duthy owns the hotel with wife Nicola Palmer, and they are committed to offering their visitors ethical epicurean experiences.

The food served at the hotel is produced locally from the owners’ own organic and biodynamic farm.

Mr Duthy told The Advertiser in August that the hotel was more than happy to serve up “chips and a Coopers” in the front bar but he and Ms Palmer – the Restaurant and Catering SA reigning chef of the year – had plenty more to offer.

“We are about giving people an entire experience they remember long after they have gone,” he said.