d'Arry's Verandah

There is probably no introduction necessary – d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant is one of the classic McLaren Vale dining experiences, and rightly so as it has all that makes it quintessential McLaren Vale: a 19th century converted homestead as restaurant, sweeping views over the vineyards and rolling hills and obviously great wine and food.

The d’Arenberg Cube continues to dominate any story or news about d'Arenberg, and righly so as the Cube remains a 'one-of-a-kind' building and cellar door acros all the Australian wine regions, but you shouldn't overlook the 'old'  d’Arry’s Verandah restaurant. 

Still housed in the same building as always, the only difference since the opening of the Cube is that to have the wine tasting experience you actually have to visit the Cube for it. 

And obviously, that is an experience in itself: across multiple levels your will find the alternate reality museum, the Salvador Dali exhibition and finally, the tasting room on the top floor with amazing views across the McLaren Vale – Willunga basin, all the way to the Gulf St Vincent. 

In itself worth a visit (the $ 20 entry fee is waived when dining at d'Arry's Verandah) and we do recommend that you allow at least an hour for the experience before heading back down again.

Throughout all these changes d’Arry’s Verandah restaurant has remained unchanged: the same lovingly restored dining room in the old homestead, with all tables offering fabulous views. Plenty of friendly staff around, to show you to your table and to look after you throughout the meal, making it a very intimate affair.

The food is a gourmet delight, modern Australian with European influences based on local and seasonal produce and we hadn’t had anything that disappointed. The degustation menu with matching wines is definitely a worthwhile option for that special occasion, even if a bit pricier than comparable restaurants. 

Or, just have the a la carte menu and choose some matching wines or a wine flight to get a broader sense of what d’Arenberg has to offer.

If you can't get a table at d'Arry's Verandah or are looking for a lighter, casual dining option, you can now enjoy dining in the d'Arenberg Cube again, with the Singapore Circus Cafe being the latest incarnation of the level 3 restaurant. Check out our separate review for more details.