Tradition and heritage meets a forward-thinking new generation in Barossa Valley. From well-loved dining institutions to exciting new kids on the restaurant block, these food haunts are worth the drive. Add these long lunch venues to your hit list.

Vintners Bar & Grill
Angaston

Three words: fried pig’s ears. They’ve been on the menu here for more than 15 years now and there’d be a local riot if head chef and director Peter Clarke took them off.

This restaurant is a Barossa institution. A typical dining experience involves a handful of the region’s most famous winemakers and families in the room. It is a local treasure and never disappoints.

Artisans of the Barossa
Tanunda

Eight boutique local wine producers are showcased at this tasting room and restaurant. Snack at Delikatessen (for relaxed all-day food) and taste John Duval Wines, Spinifex Wines, Purple Hands, Lienert Vineyards, Chaffey Bros. Wine Co., Schwarz Wine Co., Hobbs of Barossa Ranges and Sons of Eden. Or, settle in at Essen restaurant for a more formal two, three or four course dining experience (with a contemporary Barossa twist). It’s all framed by rolling lawns and a vineyard view.

Otherness
Angaston

Otherness won the Best Bar in South Australia gong in Gourmet Traveller Magazine’s 2024 Restaurant Awards, as much for the menu as it did for the wine.

The little wine bar on Angaston’s main street has chef Sam Smith at the helm in the kitchen. No bells and whistles, just stellar produce, enjoyed either as snacks or the full tasting menu experience.

Vino Lokal
Tanunda

Owners Wendy, Elisa and Lucy work hard to showcase local Barossa wines and this is a great place to settle in with a few over a parade of fresh, tasty snacks. Stay for dinner and there’s a ‘feed me’ chef’s menu, too. They also do a mean breakfast and Bloody Mary if you’re more interested in brunch.

Alkina Wine Estate
Greenock

Most days, this cellar door is devoted to wine tastings showcasing Alkina’s organic and biodynamic vineyards (with gourmet toasties and arguably one of the best charcuterie platters in SA on the side). On weekends, there’s a long lunch option that makes use of the kitchen garden. Soak up the sun in the courtyard and dream of Tuscany. There’s luxe onsite accommodation, too.

Fino Seppeltsfield
Seppeltsfield

Co-owners chef David Swain and hospitality force for good Sharon Romeo are purveyors of warm hospitality. Head chef Daniel Murphy (formerly Appellation and Eleven) was sous chef back when Fino Seppeltsfield opened in 2014 and he knows the region intimately. Expect fresh dishes made with local produce. The wine list is an exploration of the region and includes exciting collaborations with the likes of David Franz Wines. The shared long lunch menu is available here seven days a week.

Staguni
Marananga

In what goes down as one of the most anticipated openings of the year, chef Clare Falzon gently opened restaurant Staguni in late 2024. The location is the old Marananga School in the village by the same name. The impressive transformation is a backdrop to Staguni (sta-gu-ni) which means ‘seasons’ in Maltese. Falzon brings her own Maltese heritage to the al a carte and set menu options. Expect warm fuzzies; Falzon previously worked as head chef at Hentley Farm and is a fierce advocate for the local community and its produce.

Appellation at The Louise
Marananga

Luxury accommodation demands a restaurant that hits high fine dining notes. There’s no supplied menu for the five-course degustation with matched wines; the experience is personally delivered through stories – on and off the plate. Keep your eyes peeled for the ‘wine lantern’, a timber and glass prism holding more than 800 wine bottles.

Flaxman Wines
Flaxman Valley

This is as special and as intimate as it gets. You need to book ahead to secure a spot at the Flaxman Wines leisurely lunch (Thursday to Sunday), hosted amongst the vines. Winemaker Col Sheppard cooks your five-course meal (you may recognise him from MasterChef). Unforgettable and utterly charming. Six to 12 people, max.

Hentley Farm Restaurant
Seppeltsfield

For something really fancy (and romantic if you’re that way inclined), block out a full afternoon for the fine dining spectacle that is this winery restaurant. Dishes, of which there are many, are intricate, beautifully executed works of art. There’s no such thing as a bad seat here, but if you can snag one near the floor-to-ceiling windows you might just catch sight of a kangaroo or two.

Casa Carboni
Angaston

Locals love popping in to The Casa Carboni Enoteca for D’Angelo coffee and Italian treats (Wednesday to Saturday). Make sure you try chef Matteo Carboni’s soft nougat – it’s divine. This is also an Italian cooking school and wine bar. Make room for pasta from 12.30pm on Wednesdays to Saturdays, and the multi course chef’s choice tasting menu on Friday nights. With the Italian legend at the helm and his delightful wife Fiona by his side, it’s an unforgettably heart-warming experience.

FermentAsian
Tanunda

Modern southeast Asian cuisine with a Bible-like global wine list that has won awards many times over. Order the Thit lon cuon la lot (fresh betel leaves with sticky caramelised Barossa Hampshire pork). You won’t regret it.

St Hugo
Rowland Flat

This iconic cellar door and restaurant boasts modern architecture in a vineyard setting. Executive chef Simon Hick’s modern Australian menu is best paired with premium St Hugo wines. For something special, embark on the ‘Riedel Tasting’ before or after you dine. You’ll leave empowered with knowledge.

Maggie Beer’s The Farm Eatery
Nuriootpa

A farm-to-table dining experience on Maggie Beer’s pheasant farm. What more could you want? It’s a rolling red carpet of Barossa produce and Maggie Beer hits. A great spot for convivial sharing. It’s family-friendly, too.

El Estanco
Greenock

This South American eatery’s ‘feed me’ menu is a masterclass in South American flavours. It’s all designed to share. Or, if time is precious, go straight for a steaming bowl of mussels swimming in aji Amarillo cream. Wow. The setting is quirky (cactuses ahoy) and the indoor and outdoor space is family-friendly.