McLaren Vale has an exceptional food scene, from destination restaurants and long vineyard lunches to relaxed local pubs, pizza and some excellent places by the coast.
These are some of the places we regularly recommend to our guests.
Bookings are strongly recommended for restaurants, particularly on weekends and during peak season. Opening hours can change seasonally and on public holidays, so it is always worth checking directly before you visit.
Vineyard Retreat Favourite
Set among the vines in McLaren Flat, The Currant Shed is one of the region’s standout dining experiences. The focus is on beautifully executed seasonal food, warm service and local produce, without feeling overly formal.
A wonderful choice for a long lunch and somewhere we happily recommend to guests looking for a special meal during their stay.
Open: Wednesday–Sunday, bookings from 11.30am
Address: 104 Ingoldby Road, McLaren Flat
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 5 minutes
Website: The Currant Shed
Vineyard Retreat Favourite
A McLaren Vale institution, with Karena Armstrong and her team creating seasonal, contemporary food with a strong connection to the region.
The wine cellar is excellent and the famous gin collection is extensive. Sit at the bar for a drink, book a table for lunch or make it one of your dinner stops while you’re here.
Open: Lunch daily; dinner Thursday–Saturday
Address: Corner Main Road & McMurtrie Road, McLaren Vale
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 6 minutes
Website: The Salopian Inn
One for a special occasion.
Maxwell is one of McLaren Vale’s destination dining experiences. Executive Chef Fabian Lehmann’s tasting menu showcases South Australian produce with views across the winery, vineyards and Fleurieu Peninsula.
This is fine dining rather than a casual winery lunch, so allow plenty of time and book well ahead.
Restaurant: Lunch Friday–Sunday; dinner Saturday
Address: 19 Olivers Road, McLaren Vale
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 5 minutes
Website: Maxwell Restaurant
Another favourite for a long lunch. Little Wolf takes its inspiration from the Italian kitchen, with house-made, house-grown and locally sourced produce, handmade pasta and cooking over fire.
Choose à la carte or settle in for the shared La Panarda menu alongside Mitolo wines.
Open: Thursday–Monday, lunch
Address: 141 McMurtrie Road, McLaren Vale
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 6 minutes
Website: Little Wolf Osteria
A longstanding McLaren Vale favourite, set in d’Arenberg’s restored 19th-century homestead.
The restaurant combines local and seasonal produce with d’Arenberg wines and beautiful views across the rolling hills of McLaren Vale. A good choice if you’re looking for a more traditional long lunch.
Open: Daily for lunch from 12pm
Address: Osborn Road, McLaren Vale
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 7 minutes
Website: d’Arry’s Verandah
Authentic Italian-style pizza in a relaxed setting. Pizzateca keeps things simple: great pizza, good ingredients and a lively atmosphere.
It’s an easy choice when you want something casual after a day of wine tasting.
Open: Thursday–Monday, with extended hours Friday and Saturday
Address: 319 Chalk Hill Road, McLaren Vale
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 5 minutes
Website: Pizzateca
One of McLaren Vale’s loveliest vineyard settings, with the restaurant surrounded by gardens, vines and historic stone buildings.
The menu is seasonal and produce-driven, drawing from local producers as well as Coriole’s own kitchen garden and farm. A particularly good choice for a long lunch.
Open: Lunch Thursday–Monday
Address: 79 Chaffeys Road, McLaren Vale
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 5 minutes
Website: Coriole Restaurant
A relaxed option with wide views across McLaren Vale, house-made pizzas and a menu built around simple, seasonal food and South Australian produce.
A good choice for an easy lunch rather than a formal winery dining experience.
Open: Wednesday–Sunday, 11am–4pm
Address: 309 Seaview Road, McLaren Vale
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 5 minutes
Website: Beach Road Winery & Restaurant
Much more than a traditional country pub, the renovated McLaren Vale Hotel is a good option for lunch, dinner or a relaxed drink.
There are several dining and bar spaces, a strong focus on South Australian produce and a good local wine list. It’s also a useful option when many of the winery restaurants have closed for the day.
Open: Daily for lunch and dinner
Address: 208 Main Road, McLaren Vale
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 10 minutes
Website: McLaren Vale Hotel
A longstanding local Italian restaurant set in a villa on McLaren Vale’s Main Road.
Expect generous Italian food, pasta and familiar classics in a relaxed setting. A good dinner option when you’re looking for something easy and local.
Open: Lunch Wednesday–Sunday; dinner Wednesday–Saturday
Address: 169 Main Road, McLaren Vale
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 10 minutes
Website: Vasarelli
One of Willunga’s most interesting places to eat and drink, set within a beautifully restored 1860s slate building on High Street.
Upstairs is the restaurant, offering à la carte dining or a tasting menu with a strong focus on local produce, low-waste cooking and thoughtful, creative food.
Downstairs, The Cellar is an intimate underground bar for drinks and smaller plates. It’s a great option if you simply feel like dropping in for a glass of wine and something to eat without committing to the full restaurant experience.
Upstairs Restaurant: Thursday 5pm–10pm; Friday & Saturday 12pm–11pm; Sunday 12pm–5pm
The Cellar: Friday & Saturday, drinks 5pm–11pm; bar menu 5pm–9.30pm. Walk-ins only.
Address: 29 High Street, Willunga
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 20 minutes
Website: Tread Lightly
A Willunga institution. Russell’s is rustic, relaxed and unlike anywhere else in the region, with wood-fired pizza served in a wonderfully eclectic setting.
It is extremely popular and usually needs to be booked well ahead.
Address: 13 High Street, Willunga
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 17 minutes
We recommend checking current opening nights when booking.
Known locally as Willunga’s “top pub”, The Old Bush Inn is a good choice for a relaxed meal or drink while exploring Willunga.
The menu combines pub classics with more seasonal, produce-driven dishes, and the atmosphere remains very much that of a friendly local.
Open: Daily from 11am
Address: 51 High Street, Willunga
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 20 minutes
Website: The Old Bush Inn
Vineyard Retreat Favourite
Perched above Port Willunga Beach, Star of Greece combines Mediterranean-influenced food with one of the best coastal views on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Book the restaurant for a long lunch or dinner, or keep things casual at the Port Willy Kiosk below. It’s well worth the drive, particularly on a beautiful day when you can make the most of the spectacular clifftop setting.
Restaurant: Lunch Wednesday–Sunday from 12pm; dinner Wednesday–Saturday from 6pm
Summer: Lunch and dinner daily from 26 December–26 January
Address: 1 The Esplanade, Port Willunga
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 18 minutes
Website: Star of Greece
Vineyard Retreat Favourite
Tiny, intimate and full of character, The Little Rickshaw serves modern South-East Asian food from a little cottage in Aldinga.
It’s a completely different experience from the winery restaurants and well worth seeking out. Tables are limited, so book well ahead.
Open: Dinner Thursday–Saturday from 5pm; lunch Saturday & Sunday from 12pm
Address: 24 Old Coach Road, Aldinga
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 20 minutes
Website: The Little Rickshaw
Vineyard Retreat Favourite
A small, relaxed wine bar in Aldinga with a great local following, an ever-changing wine list and a seasonal menu designed for sharing.
It’s a lovely choice for a glass of wine and a few plates or to settle in for the afternoon or evening. Friday is Pizza Friday, when the regular menu makes way for a dedicated pizza menu.
Open: Thursday 4pm–9pm; Friday 2pm–9pm; Saturday 12pm–9pm; Sunday 12pm–6pm
Address: 206 Port Road, Aldinga
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 20 minutes
Website: Fall From Grace
Bookings are highly recommended.
Sitting right on the edge of Aldinga Beach, Pearl is one of the best spots in the area for fresh local seafood and a long lunch overlooking the water.
The menu changes with the seasons and what’s available, with a strong focus on South Australian seafood, produce from the Fleurieu and cooking over fire. There’s also a more casual kiosk if you’d rather grab something to eat and sit outside or take it down to the beach.
Restaurant: Lunch Thursday–Sunday; dinner Friday & Saturday
Kiosk: Thursday–Sunday
Address: Aldinga Beach Boat Ramp, Lower Esplanade, Aldinga Beach
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 20 minutes
Website: Pearl Aldinga Beach
Bookings are recommended for the restaurant. The kiosk is walk-in only.
A great option for dinner, particularly earlier in the week when many winery restaurants are closed.
The historic pub sits high above Sellicks Beach and Aldinga Bay, with beautiful coastal views and one of South Australia’s most impressive wine cellars. If you’re interested in wine, ask about the cellar.
Open: Lunch and dinner daily
Address: 652 Old Sellicks Hill Road, Sellicks Hill
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 25 minutes
Website: The Victory Hotel
Our pick for groceries while you’re staying. Along with everyday essentials, McLaren Vale Foodland has a particularly good selection of local and gourmet produce, cheese and everything you need to put together a platter or picnic.
Open: Monday–Friday 7am–9pm; Saturday 7am–5pm; Sunday 11am–5pm
Address: 130 Main Road, McLaren Vale
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 10 minutes
Website: McLaren Vale Foodland
Just a couple of minutes from The Vineyard Retreat and right next door to Main Street Retreat.
A very handy stop for locally made food, pastries, sandwiches and coffee, with much of the range either made in-house or sourced locally.
Open: Monday–Saturday 7am–5pm; Sunday 8am–2pm
Address: 55 Main Road, McLaren Flat
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 2 minutes
Website: McLaren Flat General Store
A traditional country bakery in the pretty township of Clarendon and worth a stop if you’re passing through.
And yes, try the Kitchener bun.
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 15 minutes
We recommend checking current opening hours before making a special trip.
One of the best ways to experience the produce of the region. South Australia’s first farmers market brings together local growers and producers selling fruit and vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, cheese, smallgoods, condiments and plenty more.
Perfect for stocking the guest house with local produce for the weekend.
Open: Every Saturday, 8am–12pm, rain, hail or shine
Address: Willunga High School, Main Road, Willunga
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 20 minutes
Website: Willunga Farmers Market
A family-owned winery and olive grove producing estate-grown olives, extra virgin olive oil, pesto and other local produce alongside its wines.
A good stop if you’d like to take a little taste of McLaren Vale home with you.
Open: Daily, 11am–5pm; closed public holidays
Address: 69 Warners Road, McLaren Vale
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 5 minutes
Website: Lloyd Brothers
An excellent local butcher and our recommendation if you’re planning to cook during your stay.
Ellis works closely with local producers and supplies meat to many of McLaren Vale’s leading restaurants.
Open: Monday–Friday 8am–6pm; Saturday 8am–3pm; closed Sunday
Address: McLaren Vale Central Shopping Centre, 130 Main Road, McLaren Vale
From The Vineyard Retreat: approximately 10 minutes
Website: Ellis Butchers
The Salopian Inn can provide catering for guests staying at The Vineyard Retreat, subject to availability and minimum spend requirements.
If you’re planning a special occasion, private dinner or simply prefer to stay in for the evening, please enquire directly with the Salopian team about current options.
Website: The Salopian Inn