The Currant Shed

Without doubt, The Currant Shed has been for many years (and still is) our personal favourite lunch time restaurant. They tick just all the boxes and represent what we believe is a quintessential McLaren Vale dining experience - and that despite the fact that they are not even attached to a cellar door (although affiliated/owned with Shottesbrooke Wines).

It starts off when you walk into the restaurant or the ‘shed’ (the building is indeed a converted old drying shed for currants): the wide, open structure with the hardwood beams clearly visible creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere; there are a range of tables inside, but our preference are those outside on the verandah, right beside the lemon/lime orchard and surrounding vineyards.

And the food is simply stunning – both, quality and presentation of the food; so, it was no surprise for us that The Currant Shed has been awarded with a “chef hat” from the SMH/The Age good food guide, now for the third year running. And thankfully, we haven’t experienced with The Currant Shed what we have seen with favourite restaurants of ours during our time in Sydney: whenever they got a “chef hat”, that usually meant prices went up and portions become smaller. Not so here – still the same amazing and generous food and a team of staff that enjoy looking after you.

You can choose from a 2 or 3 course menu – or let yourself be surprised by the chefs 6 course degustation menu (also available with matching wines).

It’s modern Australian cuisine, with the chef trying to grow as much as possible onsite – so always fresh and truly local. Over the years we have been there on a fairly regular basis (whenever we can find an excuse) and whatever we have tried, we have never been disappointed.

And the best of all – if you are up for it (maybe the excuse for having had that extra desert or glass of wine…) you can walk there from your accommodation. Karawatha Cottages is only 1.2km away – or for the truly energetic, The Currant Shed is just a 500m detour on the “Karawatha Cottages Wine Walking Trail”.