Mclaren Vale - A Foodie's Summer Holiday Dream Destination

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Home to the McLaren Vale Beer Company (brewing their famous Vale Ale), you might be forgiven for thinking this place could be a little out of its depth in the heart of SA s wine country. But with a menu that punches well above its weight and a world-class chef at the helm in Billy Dohnt, the beer-mongering geniuses might just be onto something here. Well-deserving of all the great press it s been getting, the Salopian is a must-do dining destination.

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The cult favourite that has managed to hold onto its charm and ethos despite its burgeoning fame, this place epitomises the laidback, hippie Willunga vibe. The restaurant is a renovated cottage with a shed-cum-retro-dining-room out the back, the waiters are often young local grommets with bare feet, and the booze is BYO and usually brought in eskies. On winter nights, the indoor rooms are full of roaring fireplaces and cozy nooks (braziers outside for those slumming it in the awesome atmosphere of the shed), and in summer, the tables spill onto the lawn and the nights go on forever. An inimitable dining experience, and some of SA s best pizza.

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With a renowned five-course tasting menu and an a la carte menu with a focus on local, seasonal produce, the Kitchen Door is always a top pick for winery dining. The food goes oh-so-well with the Penny s Hill wines that it d be a crime not to indulge in the wine specifically matched for each dish, so the sooner you surrender yourself to the powers that be and loosen your belt the better — you re in for a big afternoon here.

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The famous Victory has had a facelift but its charm, cheap drinks and incredible sunsets remain. A great spot for an afternoon spent lounging in the sun, there s no reason to leave until well into the evening, though the aforementioned sunset should keep you glued to your seat anyway. The perfect summer holiday atmosphere, and the food s not bad either.

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This cafe-restaurant housed in a bush chapel (built in 1862) is a gorgeous spot for a recovery breakfast or lunch after a day and/or night of too many wineries and accompanying tastings. The Bushies Breakfast should get you back on top form, and ready to do it all again.

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Famous for earthy, regional produce that s about as fresh as you re ever going to taste, Fino has fast become a McLaren Vale favourite, with many a foodie making the trip from the city as often as possible for David Swain s indulgent five-course shared menu. This is rustic, provincial food at its best, in a gorgeous renovated cottage.

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Bringing a bit of style to the slightly less glamorous area of Aldinga, this is a welcome addition to McLaren Vale for its great woodfired pizzas and family-friendly atmosphere. The pizza barn out the back has a retro, eclectic vibe and is well worth a visit.

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One of the McLaren Vale s undisputed best, this winery restaurant is nothing short of spectacular. The view alone should be enough to entice you to stay for lunch, but the verandah (and there really is one: a modern corrugated iron, timber and glass verandah built onto the side of the winery s original homestead) offers so much more. Chefs Peter Reschke and Nigel Rich serve up fine-dining mod-Oz dishes that will blow you away, and go quite nicely with that shiraz, too.

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The missing link between the hyper-casual eateries the McLaren Vale does so well, and the fine diners that make it a foodies destination, the Barn is a favourite for its relaxed, holiday vibe and focus on great food. If all the food "destinations" have left you exhausted, this is a great spot for a more laidback feed.

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The quintessential summer dining spot, this cannot be missed. Stunning views of the mid-south coast s prettiest beach, Port Willunga, go so well with the menu of light, Mediterranean-influenced seafood dishes that you ll be in holiday mode within seconds. If you re after something a little more casual than the eclectic, retro-styled interior of the restaurant, order your fish and chips from the kiosk outside and enjoy the same views with a beer and sandy feet.