Eat & Drink
Long lunches & local produce
The best eat & drink in Penwortham
From winery restaurants and historic pubs to bakeries, providores and country cafes, the Clare Valley plates up seasonal regional produce with generous country hospitality. Olive oils, smallgoods, cheeses and just-picked fruit appear on menus that pair effortlessly with the valley's Riesling and Shiraz.
Eating in the Clare Valley is a slow, regional affair built around great wine, historic stone hotels and produce grown within sight of the table. Many of the best meals happen at winery kitchens, where long lunches stretch into the afternoon among the vines around Sevenhill and the Skilly Hills.
The valley's heritage pubs are an experience in themselves. The Sevenhill Hotel and the beautifully restored Watervale Hotel pair honest country cooking with deep local wine lists, while atmospheric dining rooms in Mintaro and Auburn set refined cooking inside 1850s cottages and stone buildings.
For something more relaxed, the region's bakeries, cafes and the monthly farmers' market showcase olives, cheese, bread and small-batch produce - the Clare beyond the wine glass. Wherever you eat, the wine list will almost always be loaded with Clare Valley Riesling and old-vine reds. Book ahead on weekends, when cellar-door visitors fill the valley's best tables.
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Eat & Drink in Clare Valley - frequently asked questions
What is the Clare Valley known for when it comes to eating and drinking?
The Clare Valley is one of Australia's defining Riesling regions, so most meals here revolve around food matched to crisp local Riesling and the valley's bold Shiraz. Expect winery restaurants serving seasonal regional produce, historic stone pubs dating from the 1850s, and providores stocking local olives, olive oil, cheeses and smallgoods. Long, leisurely lunches among the vines are the signature experience.
Where are the best places to eat in the Clare Valley?
Many of the best meals happen at winery kitchens such as Skillogalee near Sevenhill, Slate at Pikes Wines, Bush DeVine at Paulett Wines and Reillys at Mintaro, where lunches stretch into the afternoon. For pub fare in heritage surrounds, the Sevenhill Hotel (a multiple AHA Best Country Dining winner), the Rising Sun Hotel in Auburn and the Watervale Hotel are local favourites. Terroir Auburn is a well-regarded option for seasonal farm-to-table dining.
Do I need to book ahead for winery restaurants and long lunches in the Clare Valley?
Yes - the winery restaurants and structured long-lunch experiences are popular and often run limited days, so booking ahead is strongly recommended, especially on weekends. Reillys at Mintaro, for example, runs its multi-course long lunch only on certain days, and some venues open Thursday to Sunday rather than daily. The historic pubs are more casual and family friendly, but it is still worth calling ahead for larger groups or busy periods.
Can I combine eating and drinking with cycling the Riesling Trail?
Absolutely - the 35km Riesling Trail runs from Clare to Auburn along a former railway, passing directly by cellar doors, cafes and historic towns. There are dozens of cellar doors dotted along the way, many with providores or platters featuring local cheese, olives, breads and smallgoods, so you can ride between tastings and graze as you go. It is a flat, sealed path, making it an easy way to pair gentle exercise with the valley's food and wine.
When is the best time to visit the Clare Valley for food and wine?
Autumn is a standout, with the Clare Valley Gourmet Festival - Australia's longest-running food and wine festival - held over a long weekend in May, bringing dozens of winery events, open-flame cooking and shuttle and bus trails between venues. Spring and early autumn also offer mild weather ideal for long lunches and trail riding. Cooler months suit cosy meals in the heritage stone pubs, while the valley's Riesling shows beautifully year-round.