Best restaurants in Rutherglen
From coffee to cocktails, we've done a round-up of our favourite spots to eat and drink in and around Rutherglen. By no means an exhaustive list!
GRACE BAR + EATERY
Grace is a small bar and eatery by gun hospo couple Matt and Erica Miller, dishing up a menu of "creatively constructed seasonal dishes that are globally inspired and perfect for sharing. We lean European, with a dash of Melbourne". Their menu changes monthly alongside a considered and evolving wine list, as well as killer cocktails (hellooo, Spicy Margarita)! Also keep an eye on their socials for the super popular Neighbourhood Night, held once a month on a Tuesday.
Image: Grace
THE VICTORIA HOTEL
Rutherglen's historic Victoria Hotel has been lovingly restored by owners Kate & Matt Halpin. Their modern interpretation of a traditional country pub strikes a beautiful balance of heritage and contemporary architecture.
Head Chef Brendan Anderson's flame-focused, Mediterranean-inspired menu celebrates regional produce alongside a thoughtfully curated wine list showcasing North East Victorian growers and makers.
Image: The Victoria Hotel
COFFEE + BREAKFAST
If your idea of breakfast is a great coffee and Portuguese tart or ham-and-cheese croissant, head to little g, Grace's hole-in-the-wall coffee window. As well as the espresso, single origin, batch & cold brew coffee offering, there are sweet and savoury bites for a quick get away.
With an industrial style layout featuring a classic car and vintage motorcycle display, Caffeine N Machine is a country-style bakery cafe with everything baked fresh daily (think fresh cream buns and thick-cut toast) plus locally roasted coffee.
Early birds can also grab a perch in the leafy courtyard of The Other Place (under new management) for coffee and a cooked breakfast to set you up for a day of wine tasting, or settle in for some people watching from a window perch at Valentines bakehouse.
Worth the 10-minute drive over the river from Rutherglen to Corowa for good coffee and little twists on breakfast favourites is Doc Yarrum.
If you're not an early riser, then brunch is the go at The Pickled Sisters!
LUNCH
Catch up with friends among the gum trees in our relaxed outdoor setting.
Image: Grace
Jones
Jones Winery’s French-inspired restaurant offers a two or three course menu with dishes such as Paperbark Roasted ‘Riverina’ Duck Breast, Eggplant, Cherry, Macadamias. Head Chef Briony Bradford’s approach to cooking is traditional French technique with a modern twist, nose-to-tail, seasonal, local and from scratch.
Pickled Sisters
This Rutherglen institution is now at home in its new location on Main Street. The welcome is always warm and chef Stewart’s cooking is local, seasonal and flavour-packed. Pickled Sisters is open for lunch (and brunch) as well as weekend dinners.
If you're planning to Reverse BYO at Scion, Pickled Sisters have some great cheese and vineyard platter options available by pre-order on their "menu to go".
Lake Moodemere Estate
The Chambers family grow their own lamb, wheat, honey, citrus, eggs, seasonal vegetables & herbs. Set in a majestic lakeside location, the Lakehouse Restaurant offers a menu inspired by their own family gatherings, sharing food, wine, company, the beauty of the landscape and the bounty of their estate-grown produce.
KIN
Following an extensive renovation, All Saints' winery restaurant reopened as KIN with a modern-regional menu featuring local and estate-grown product. Highlights include a striploin with bonemarrow and Murray cod. Settle in for a long lunch in curved booth seating overlooking the lake.
For something more casual try Bonnie, the winery's casual eatery with outdoor focused around wood-fired pizza.
Parker Pies
Surely you've all frequented this Rutherglen institution? Parker Pies has a sunny courtyard out the back and the tables on the footpath out the front make for good people watching over your golden pie crust! Our picks are the Chunky Steak, Venison and the Thai curry prawn.
AFTERNOON SWEET SPOT
Save room for a scoop or two from Rutherglen’s cute little gelato shop, Gelatina! Owner Tina makes everything in store with classic and seasonal flavours using local produce. She’s a master of flavour balance and her gelato hits the sweet spot but is never cloying. They say a gelato shop is only as good as its Pistachio... trust us, it's gooooood! Closed over winter.
Image: Gelatina
Grace - See above! Make a beeline for some delicious bar snacks with an afternoon aperitif or settle in for dinner.
James & Co cellar door on the Main Street is one of our favourite spots to swing by for an afternoon vino (sparkling rosé, did you call my name again?) and a nibble of cheese. Do a full wine tasting of their range specialising in Sangiovese, or grab a glass and “cheese-your-own-adventure” to enjoy in a cosy armchair inside or in their back courtyard.
Thousand Pound flings open its doors on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, bringing city slick to the country in a relaxed, modern setting. Sip on a glass of local wine and some bar snacks, or settle in for dinner from a concise menu including steak cooked over charcoal from the team behind All Saints.
Pickled Sisters - see above, for dinner on a Friday or Saturday.
Tuileries is another of Rutherglen’s dining institutions, located at De Bortoli Rutherglen Estate. The Rutherglen Vignerons gather here once a month for lots of wine chat as they open, share and taste masked wines from their cellars over a three-course meal. A lasting food and wine tradition!