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Top 11 Lunch Spots in the Hunter Valley



Alongside its reputation as one of the most elite winegrowing regions in Australia, another thing the Hunter does exceptionally is its food. The niche landscape produces repeatedly bountiful harvests including olives, stone fruit, citrus, as well as herbs and aromatics, paired with a culture of artisanal cheese, bread and chocolate making, providing the perfect foundation for a spectacular dining experience. Restaurants in the Hunter Valley take pride in quality and supporting local, and have a signature family focus that is both enticing and inviting. Here’s our eleven favourite restaurants in the Valley that are a must try.


1.        Margan Farm

Poised amidst the greenery of the Valley is a muse of lifestyle and quality dining, Margan Farm. The beauty is in the details, and Margan offers just that. With an ethos of homegrown goodness and an emphasis on farm-to-table dining, their extraordinary agricultural efforts resonate through their meals. With quality consolidated by its hatted status, owners Andrew and Lisa Margan focus on incorporating ingredients from an orchard, olive groves, estate-reared lambs, bees, and free-range chickens, their menu dependant on each harvest promising optimal freshness and exciting variety.

Devour market fish such as kingfish or trout, fresh garden asparagus and horseradish gremolata, or, if you are after something lighter, the cellar door is open seven days a week offering light snacks such as locally sourced Hunter Valley cheese and freshly baked sourdough bread. Whatever you decide, Margan Farm will give you a meal to remember.


2.        Amandas on the Edge

This classic weatherboard house offers family values and a fun atmosphere centrifugal to a Hunter Valley grandma’s pipe dream turned reality. Since her vision of a restaurant eventuated, Amanda’s has been converted to a stunning venue that hosts wedding and events, and specialises in tasty modern Australian dishes. Open Friday to Sunday for lunch, it’s the perfect weekend activity that is consistently described as delightful and exciting.

With the options of both a set menu and a separate vegetarian menu, savour starters such as 12-hr braised Chinese pork belly, haloumi and pea fritters, and mains of king prawn risotto and Tuscan lamb rump, followed by sweet treats including a dreamy vanilla crème brulee. Making it even easier to sit back and relax is a special set menu that includes a bottle of wine to share between two, pairing your delicious courses with local drops from Bimbadgen, Tulloch Wines, Tamburlaine Organic Wines and beyond.

 

3.        The Gates Restaurant

This prestiged a la carte venue oversees vast vineyard views, and offers a menu expertly crafted to match the award-winning wines of Leogate Estate. Aptly awarded an Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat for two consecutive years, dabble in creatively charged and locally sourced dishes such as finger lime & chardonnay oysters, Escargot a la Bourguignonne, grain fed dry aged steak (a specialty), and lavender infused panna cotta.

Open from Wednesday through Sunday, treat yourself to a five-course degustation offering paired wine tasting, two and three course meals, or perhaps the exclusive Friday lunch specials. Amidst the stunning setting of Leogate Winery, whether in the airy alfresco or sophisticated dining room, every day feels like a Sunday.

Address: Leogate Estate Wines 1693 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320


4.        Hunters Quarter

Chef Brian Duncan presents his world-gathered expertise in the kitchen using the freshest local produce to craft an innovative menu promoting seasonal goodness, sustainability, and simplistically amazing flavours. With an a la carte menu, a five-course degustation, and a separate vegan menu, all are welcome to experience a brilliantly vibrant take on a modern Australian and European fusion.

Taste specialties such as beetroot cured salmon, charred watermelon, hickory smoked duck breast (a favourite), kangaroo tartare and fresh market fish followed by a spectacularly crafted take on a classic Aussie favourite, the lamington. Serving lunch from Friday to Sunday,

Address: Hunters Quarter, 576 De Beyers Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320


5.        The Deck Café

Overlooking a serene lakeside setting, The Deck Cafe has quickly become one of the most widely respected venues in the Hunter. Choose your own selection of tapas dishes or sign up for a set menu to get the chef’s pick of the bunch. An impressive menu with a focus on handcrafted quality, expect delicious bread, all pasta and pasta sauces made in house with love. Share entrees such as tempura zucchini flowers and duck liver parfait, mushroom and truffle arancini, prosciutto and rosemary baked brie and follow with Spanish churros for a sweet treat.

While you indulge, why not sample renowned wines from Gartelmann, also owned by chef Matthew Dillow. Open for lunch and tapas seven days, and with exemplary inclusivity of vegetarian, gluten free, and garlic and onion free menus, as well as a high tea, The Deck invites you to sit back and relax amongst the finest vision of Hunter hospitality.

Address: 701 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale NSW 2325

 

6.         The Wood at Brokenwood

From Friday to Tuesday the lunch menu is firing at Brokenwood, and it’s not one to be missed. Pinching fresh seafood from the nearby New South Wales coastline and using the finest locally sourced ingredients to construct their thoughtfully paired and distinguished flavours, (including ingredients plucked off hand from the chef’s garden), soak up views from the sunny courtyard and premium service true to the Hunter homegrown experience.

Valuing vegan, vegetarian and meat dishes equally, every individual meal at Brokenwood is crafted with care and culinary greatness. Choose from raw tuna with fermented chilli, Applewood smoked salmon rillettes, classic zucchini or Coffs Harbour sword fish amongst many more. Or, if you’re partial to a drink and a snack instead, take a seat at the Terrace Wine Bar or Cru Bar and Pantry for small bites that stay big on quality.

Address: Brokenwood Wines, 401-427 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin


7.        Restaurant Botanica

Priding themselves on “quintessential modern Australian dining”, Restaurant Botanica is a spectacular space offering perfectly plated eats in the centre of the Hunter. Self-proclaimed as adventurous and playful, Adam Frey takes the reigns in directing the style of the menu towards a compassionate take on a much-loved bistro setting.

Choose from an array of dishes from the a la carte menu or banquet including starters of Fremantle octopus and house marinated olives, mains of market fish and lamb rump, finished with a dark chocolate torte, all available for a lowkey lunch or for a large table to share. Awarded 3 Glasses in the Australia's Wine List of the Year Awards 2023, there’s a huge range of wine pairings such as semillon and shiraz to enjoy alongside your meal, with lunchtime eats available from Friday to Sunday.

Contact: 02 6574 7229


8.        Lovedale Smokehouse

For a more casual dining experience, the Lovedale Smokehouse Café is a perfect choice that welcomes all with open arms. Open Thursday through Monday and set on a stunning 100-acre vineyard, this respected yet relaxed venue invites both families and four-legged friends to enjoy a meal out in the open. With a variety of food truck-inspired dishes that showcase key smokehouse specialties such as on-the-go charcuterie, prawn tacos and slow cooked barbecue ribs, and a selection of craft beers, ciders, wines, as well as coffee and non-alcoholic drinks, the Smokehouse truly does cater for those seeking comfortable classic meals and refined takeaway. Enjoy your meal in the covered courtyard, or as a picnic on the vineyard. That’s the beauty of the smokehouse – come as you are and enjoy as you wish!

Address: 64 Majors Lane, Lovedale


9.        Esca Bimbadgen

Opening Wednesday to Sunday on the site of the prestiged Bimbadgen estate, Esca offers a simple selection of superior share dishes from entrée through to desserts. With a huge range to choose from, sit back and select The Signature Pairing to receive 5 courses and a range of six of the finest matched wines from the premium vineyards on site, taking the guess work out of your midday meal.

The seasonal menu offers delicious tastings of kingfish ceviche, beef carpaccio, ox heart tomato with smoked mozzarella, and irresistible desserts like strawberry panna cotta with white chocolate crumb. If you feel like something slightly more casual, you can opt for woodfired pizza in the courtyard of the Bimbadgen estate, which still features the glorious views and renowned wines seven days a week.

Address: 790 McDonalds Rd, Pokolbin 2320

 

10.  Circa 1876

Executive Chef Joey Ingram's menu offers a refined, yet relaxed dining experience, guided by the seasons and onsite garden.  With their food being “honest, thoughtful and comfort driven”, a huge variety of their ingredients being produced using certified organic and sustainable farming practices.

Alternating seasonally, the sample menu currently includes stuffed calamari, hand rolled fettucine with local mushrooms, beef cheek with caramelised cauliflower, and crispy sprouts with bacon and maple dressing, over a two or three courses (or more if you wish!). Open for lunch Friday and Saturday, the menu doesn’t get more mouthwatering, and with a 2024 Australian Good Food Guide Chefs Hat award testament to quality, ensure to book so you don’t miss out!

Address: 64 Halls Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320

 

11. Twine Restaurant

Overlooking historic vineyards sits Twine, offering glorious modern Australian cuisine, seasonal local produce and delectable dining options, paired with quality wines and memorable service.

Indulge in well-loved dishes with a thoughtful culinary spin including rock lobster and king prawn ravioli, pink gin and citrus cured ocean trout and wild mushroom gnocchi, share a terrine tasting plate with friends, and finish with a gin and tonic cheesecake or a glass of fabulous dessert wine. Twine is a place to relax and indulge in good company, as promised by owners Daniel and Meagan Teggins, with lunch available from Wednesday through to Sunday.

Address: 310 Oakey Creek Road, Pokolbin 2320

  

Conclusion:

The Hunter truly has it all – from fresh local seafood to experimental flavours sourced from humble produce grown lovingly by multi-generational farmers. No matter what venue you sway towards, the experience is one on its own in this region and you’re guaranteed to walk away satisfied. To be right at the heart of the best culinary choices the Hunter Valley has to offer, reserve your stay at The Vintage Timespace today.

 

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