Nothing beats a long lunch with good friends and family, especially if you’ve got nowhere to be in a hurry. Turn the ‘out of office’ on and head to McLaren Vale to try out these long lunch venues.

Maxwell Wines
McLaren Vale

Take a bow chef Fabian Lehmann and team. Recent accolades include South Australia’s Best Restaurant in the 2024 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards and South Australia’s Best Destination Dining in GT’s 2023 awards. The hype is merited. The German chef worked in fine dining restaurants in Europe before calling South Australia home. His multi-course adventure takes inspiration from across the globe and hits all the right fine dining notes; creativity, attention to detail, a touch of drama, and stunning service – all in a winery setting. Explore the large maze when you’ve made your way through the meal.

Our Place @ Willunga Hill
Willunga

If you know, you know. This hilltop haunt is only open for Sunday lunch so you need to book ahead for an afternoon with hospo legend Andy Clappis and his high octane, high volume, joyous spread. Andy’s father Enzo (who is in his 90s) hand rolls his fluffy gnocchi every morning. A precious and increasingly not so hidden Vale secret. This is laid back hospitality at its best. Expect a dash of drama when the main course comes out. Andy’s cannoli are legendary, too.

Coriole Vineyards Restaurant
McLaren Vale

Speaking of garden settings, it arguably doesn’t get better than this winery restaurant. No matter the season, it’s got a view that begs to be snapped. Think rolling vineyards, a garden full of blooms and butterflies, and a dining space in a vine-framed arbour. The ‘Feed Me’ tasting menus come in two sizes or opt for a la carte on weekdays. Great for groups and it goes without saying, the wine list is stellar, especially if you have a thing for exciting alternative varieties (order the bright, fresh Piquepoul – the white wine is particularly good with oysters).

d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant
McLaren Vale

An oldie but an eternally enjoyable goodie. The lobster medallion with blue swimmer crab, prawn ravioli and lobster bisque has a cult following. People travel from interstate to get their fix. Find it on both the fixed price and eight-course degustation menus. You can’t miss this restaurant (set in an old 19^th century homestead) – it’s adjacent to the towering d’Arenberg Cube.

Salopian Inn
McLaren Vale

There’s action going on at this adored McLaren Vale dining institution… in the form of a large (extended) organic kitchen garden. It’s cause for excitement and is a wonderful addition to the grounds surrounding the beautifully restored, art-packed homestead. Settle in amongst the locals and embark on the tasting menu. Make sure you try chef and co-owner Karena Armstrong’s dumplings. Actually, try everything – including the extensive gin menu and wine cellar (which you’re welcome to explore). It’s a heartwarming experience from farm to plate.

Vigna Bottin Osteria
Willunga

The definition of long lunch, unsurprisingly run by those who do it best… Italians. Refreshingly, once you book a table at this cellar door restaurant, it is reserved all day. That means no rushing through mains or skipping dessert (you’d be mad to miss chef Angelo’s tiramisu). Kick things off with a wine tasting experience in the cellar door or pre-drinks in the garden before the long lunch experience in an Italian-style shed with views of the vines and garden. The minimal intervention wines (made to organic principles) have an emphasis on Italian varieties. Outstanding.

Harry’s Deli, Wirra Wirra
McLaren Vale

Wirra Wirra has long been known as a winery with class and character. The onsite restaurant (bistro-style) is no different. For the full shebang, go for the ‘What Harry Would Have’ set menu (with optional paired) and let chef Tom Boden work his magic. The contemporary Australian menu is fresh local produce-driven, delightfully relaxed, and unwaveringly delicious. Sure, he does protein like low and slow 20-hour smoked chilli brisket or Black Angus scotch fillet to perfection but his take on veggies is sensational, too.

Pearl
Aldinga Beach

An Aperol spritz with a view over sand dunes doesn’t get much better than this. Especially when you add a menu heaving with local seafood (the eco-conscious, future-friendly kind) and the kind of produce that makes a kitchen gardener’s heart skip a beat. It’s all soul, right through to the carefully curated wine list full of emerging and artisanal local winemakers – drops prime for seaside imbibing. Settle in for the ‘Set Menu’ (chef’s selection of seasonal share plates focussing on the catch of the day).

Angove’s Vineyard Kitchen
McLaren Vale

You’ve got to hand it to McLaren Vale… the views are unrivalled. Angove Family Winemakers’ cellar door and restaurant is nestled in the Warboys Vineyard and chef Cameron Clarke serves up a Vineyard Kitchen a La Carte Menu, and share-plate style ‘Feed Me’ menus. Top notch and some of the best value in SA. Cameron worked in high end brigade style kitchens across Europe, at a 5 Star Resort on Hayman Island and at Bridgewater Mill in the Adelaide Hills before joining Angove. An award winning wine and spirit collection shares the spotlight with his spread.

The Currant Shed
McLaren Flat

An award-winning long lunch destination restaurant with options. Choose between a two-course, three-course, or full degustation menu with optional wine pairings. The dishes are inventive, burst with colour and feature crowd favourites like the pork belly satay – so popular chef can’t take it off the menu. The restaurant is located in a former 1900s shed previously used to dry currants. The rolling lawns, lime grove and vineyards make for a lovely view.

Pizzateca
McLaren Vale

One word: pizza. Though the Mitolo clan aren’t down for being one trick ponies. They stay true to their deep Italian (Abruzzo) roots with smallgoods, sugo, Neapolitan-style pizza dough, salads and lamb skewers are all made onsite from SA produce. Do not leave without trying the tirimasu and limoncello. The addition of the Gelateca gelato store is a nice touch. This place is constantly chockas so is great for kids and groups but not so suitable for a quiet, clandestine catch-up.

Muni
Willunga

Good things come in small packages. Everything about this high end Taiwanese (mostly) inspired restaurant is delicate and composed. The tiny town of Willunga is fortunate to have chefs Mug Chen and Chia Wu who serve deeply thoughtful seasonal menus with natural wine, rare sake from their homeland, and a wonderful non-alc offering if that’s what you’re after. Allow plenty of time to savour the many courses and sensory experience. Booking is essential.

Silver Sands Beach Club
Aldinga Beach

Beach vibes only. This oceanfront bar and dining venue is a great spot to dine and imbibe, especially if you kick back and embark on the ‘Feed Me’ menu. Hospo and event legends Nick Stock and Mark Kamleh run the show, serving sundowners, beer and top-notch wine alongside locally line caught sea treasures, pasta and pizza. It’s casual, relaxed dining, with a side of Chablis and sea salt.

The Kitchen at Bec Hardy
McLaren Vale

Hidden treasure alert. The Bec Hardy cellar door and eatery is open seven days a week, with chef Anthony Schlenk’s ‘Feed Me’ menu available Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. Hot tip: you can also book a private dining experience and premium picnics at nearby Tipsy Hill Estate.

Fiore
McLaren Vale

In Italian, Fiore means ‘flower’ or ‘bloom’ and it’s an apt name for Down the Rabbit Hole cellar door’s onsite restaurant. The small, beautifully designed space is framed by flower gardens and vineyards. Mother Nature’s energy emanates across the plate, with executive chef Nick Tadija’s ‘Feed Me’ lunch menu (Thursday to Sunday) and ‘Nonna’s Table’ set menu on Friday nights. It’s fine dining with relaxed vibes.

Star of Greece
Willunga
Location, location, location. It’s not a Greek restaurant (though you’re forgiven for assuming otherwise). This clifftop, seaside restaurant serves a Mediterranean-inspired menu championing seafood with a view of ocean from which it was plucked. The Kangaroo Island King George Whiting and salt and pepper squid are highlights. Take a dip at Port Willunga Beach afterwards. It’d be rude not to. Book ahead.

Serafino Restaurant
McLaren Vale

If a white linen tablecloth, fine dining vibe floats your proverbial boat, Serafino Chef Hat awarded restaurant could be the ticket. The dining space looks out over the property’s lake and grounds. Courses range from contemporary two, three, or a group shared menu option. Or, go for the six-course Serafino Degustation Menu. Onsite accommodation is a good trick if you plan to let loose on the family-run brand’s wines.

Victory Hotel
Sellicks Hill

It’s rare to find an establishment open for lunch and dinner seven days a week in this region. Look no further. The crowd here is a devoted one (full of local winemakers), largely thanks to publican Doug Govan’s extraordinary globe-spanning wine cellar and reasonable prices. Make sure you try Doug’s own brand Rudderless Wines. Head chef Nathan Carr does a cracking job with the a la carte menu; simple, scrumptious pub grub.

Old Bush Inn
Willunga

The aforementioned Nick Stock x Mark Kamleh duo recently took over the heritage watering hole, otherwise known as ‘Top Pub’. While it isn’t in a rush to pull its contemporary socks up (aesthetics wise) just yet, chef Stefano Longhi is on the tools in the kitchen. The venue now serves classic pub fare with an Italian edge. It’s a pub, so it’s still casual but it’s a place you can settle in with the locals and let the afternoon drift by.

Vale Taphouse
McLaren Flat

This hilltop brewery has an extensive food menu which can be devoured as you go, or let the chef feed you during a shared long lunch experience. Don’t skip the Vale IPA country loaf with smoked bone marrow butter.