Duration:
3h
Join one of our chefs for tour of our organic, biodynamic farm and herb gardens.
Enjoy a ‘feed me’ menu, for lunch back at the Watervale Hotel
Operated By:
The organic and biodynamic Penobscot Farm is the hero behind the Watervale Hotel kitchen. It is there that the fruit, vegetables, leaves, berries and nuts are grown for the menu.
Join one of our chefs for tour of Penobscot Farm to learn how the natural system works to deliver nutrients to the plants and flavour to the food we eat. Help the Chef pick for lunch whilst being educated about regenerative farming.
Join us back at the Watervale Hotel for a ‘feed me’ menu. This starts with two snacks, bread and butter, followed by three savoury courses that collectively makes a full meal.
Clare Valley wine and other beverages can be purchased.
Share:
The food and drinks are ordered via table service and take a bit of time. This is because this is fine dining. The food itself was remarkable. Not huge portions but just enough to fill you up.
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AndyJohn74
05 Jun 2026
Had the Kangaroo Loin and Kingfish Ceviche at Watervale Hotel Epicurial and both dishes showed genuine creativity without the pretension. The ceviche with mint sorbet is an unusual call, but it actually works — adds something unexpected without overshadowing the fish.
The kangaroo loin was really well executed too. Black rice and soya ponzu might sound like random combinations, but they complement each other properly. You can tell the kitchen knows what they're doing.
Service matched the food — attentive and genuinely friendly. The whole experience felt like they actually care about what they're putting out.
Highly recommended if you're after something a bit different.
The kangaroo loin was really well executed too. Black rice and soya ponzu might sound like random combinations, but they complement each other properly. You can tell the kitchen knows what they're doing.
Service matched the food — attentive and genuinely friendly. The whole experience felt like they actually care about what they're putting out.
Highly recommended if you're after something a bit different.
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Declan
13 May 2026
A beautiful dining destination in the Clare Valley that’s absolutely worth the visit. The Watervale Hotel delivers a dining experience that feels far more elevated than its modest exterior suggests.
We didn’t stay overnight, but came purely for the restaurant, and what a memorable experience it turned out to be. From the outside, it’s quite plain, almost easy to pass by, but step inside and you’re met with a beautifully styled interior that blends rustic charm with refined elegance. Whether you’re seated in the courtyard, the main restaurant, or tucked into one of the cosy lounge-style couch areas, it’s the kind of place that instantly sets the tone for a special occasion or a romantic date night.
The service was nothing short of perfection. The staff struck that rare balance, attentive and knowledgeable without ever feeling intrusive, giving us the space to truly enjoy each course and its perfectly matched wines. A standout moment was getting to chat with the chef in the open-plan kitchen, which added a personal and authentic touch to the whole experience.
Every dish we had was executed to perfection, beautifully presented and absolutely bursting with flavour. Each course felt thoughtful and refined, making the entire dining experience even more memorable.
Everything felt thoughtfully curated, from the pacing of the meal to the atmosphere itself. It’s the kind of place where you slow down, take it all in, and genuinely appreciate the surroundings.
Truly a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 experience. We’ll definitely be back, next time to explore more of what the region (and perhaps the accommodation) has to offer.
We didn’t stay overnight, but came purely for the restaurant, and what a memorable experience it turned out to be. From the outside, it’s quite plain, almost easy to pass by, but step inside and you’re met with a beautifully styled interior that blends rustic charm with refined elegance. Whether you’re seated in the courtyard, the main restaurant, or tucked into one of the cosy lounge-style couch areas, it’s the kind of place that instantly sets the tone for a special occasion or a romantic date night.
The service was nothing short of perfection. The staff struck that rare balance, attentive and knowledgeable without ever feeling intrusive, giving us the space to truly enjoy each course and its perfectly matched wines. A standout moment was getting to chat with the chef in the open-plan kitchen, which added a personal and authentic touch to the whole experience.
Every dish we had was executed to perfection, beautifully presented and absolutely bursting with flavour. Each course felt thoughtful and refined, making the entire dining experience even more memorable.
Everything felt thoughtfully curated, from the pacing of the meal to the atmosphere itself. It’s the kind of place where you slow down, take it all in, and genuinely appreciate the surroundings.
Truly a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 experience. We’ll definitely be back, next time to explore more of what the region (and perhaps the accommodation) has to offer.
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Janet’s
01 May 2026
What an amazing experience! We had the degustation experience with paired wines. My wife drinks a narrower range of wines and Warwick took the time to learn her tastes and then bought wines individually to her to suit, amazing service and nailed it! Our wines also paired perfectly with each course and the food was spectacular!! Hard to single out any particular plate but the duck with roasted cauliflower could be the first step to world peace! Watching Nicola cook, learning about the farm and the food, chatting about footy and wine with Warwick, all while being supervised by Frankie (their dog) a truly amazing evening. Well done guys!
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Trond
17 Apr 2026
The food was amazing and the experience was enhanced by the wonderful hospitality of Nicola, Warwick and Frankie (the owners).
We loved that all the fresh produce was from their farm and the were sourced locally.
We highly recommend this experience.
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Warrick Duthy, Owner at Watervale Hotel, responded to this review - 2026-04-01
Sharon, Thanks for your great review. I will pass it on to my humans. Frankie Blue Maître Dóg.
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Sharon
30 Mar 2026
We started off with a 'Teach Me' class given by host Warrick Duthy who explained about the exceptional terroir of the Clare Valley. It was so informative. He also touched on the local indigenous history, which is also very interesting although sad too. Incidentally, the 'Teach Me' class is given in a converted old jail building that had the local name of 'The Hell Hole'.
We tasted five amazing wines from the region. The Clare is world famous for it's Rieslings but as Warrick explained, the region has such a wide range of terroir that it is ideally suited for many many types of wine not only Riesling. I won't describe each tasting individually but they were great.
On to the food . amazing! Executive Chef Nicola Palmer (South Australian Chef of the Year) and her team turn out exquisite food. From fine dining at her Chefs Table in the kitchen and the restaurant to pub classics in the courtyard. There are also several private dining rooms to choose from for larger parties.
We had a couple of small bites which were:
Salty crispy kingfish skin topped with a seafood paste (sorry can't quite remember the exact topping) delicious though
A house made wafer with chicken liver topped with a juicy cherry.
Then Kingfish ceviche topped with a little dollop of citrus gremolata. I think this was my dish of the day. The citrus gremolata matched the local Riesling so perfectly and the fish just seemed to dissolve in our mouths. The waiter came by and said "So what did you think of that?" We think it was his favourite as well.
Onwards to a pork ragu pasta, again melt in the mouth meat with a sauce that was perfect for mopping up with the house made sourdough bread.
Then, mains Kangaroo loin served rare on black rice with an asian style juice with potatoes and carrots grown on the Hotels own Penobscot Farm nearby.
Desert was also a show stopper. In season figs served with a dollop of espresso ice cream and a drizzle of a sweet, toffee-like syrup. (sorry I can't remember exactly, my hearing isn't the best these days, but it was yum).
All up, this was just a sensational meal and 'experience'. I'd been planning it for several months after watching an SBS TV show on the Riesling trail which ended up at The Watervale Hotel. It was actually better that I had been anticipating. We would thoroughly recommend stopping at The Watervale Hotel if you are visiting South Australia and the Clare Valley. As usual it's best to book ahead.
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Warrick Duthy, Owner at Watervale Hotel, responded to this review - 2026-04-01
Wow, Thanks for that incredible review. You should be a travel and food journalist! Warrick and Nicola
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Poguie
30 Mar 2026
An outstanding dining experience from start to finish. The food was absolutely exceptional with the corn ribs and chicken as particular standouts at our table. Dietary needs were also catered for, with delicious house-made gluten free bread.
What really made the evening special was the fantastic service by the owner who curated the experience for us, guiding the meal with suggested entrées followed by mains so the dishes flowed perfectly. It felt far more like a thoughtfully crafted dining experience than just a meal.
We left thoroughly impressed and satisfied. Will definitely be returning and would highly recommend to anyone looking for incredible food in Clare Valley.
What really made the evening special was the fantastic service by the owner who curated the experience for us, guiding the meal with suggested entrées followed by mains so the dishes flowed perfectly. It felt far more like a thoughtfully crafted dining experience than just a meal.
We left thoroughly impressed and satisfied. Will definitely be returning and would highly recommend to anyone looking for incredible food in Clare Valley.
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Oaklee
07 Mar 2026
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Warrick Duthy, Owner at Watervale Hotel, responded to this review - 2026-03-08
Thanks so much Anne Maree, It was a pleasure to host you. Warrick
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annemaree59
28 Feb 2026
Our first visit to this restaurant. If we could give 6 stars out of 5 we would. We went for lunch a la carte. Home made bread with smoked butter. Duck parfait yum and ample. Our little mini schnauzer approved of the duck as well and was made to feel welcome. I had zucchini salad for entree and could not finish.( took some back with us) the fresh dill, yogurt dressing and nuts/sultanas were delicious topping. Love their fresh produce. .For mains: The half chicken was outstanding. Succulent, full of flavour with fresh kale and great cauliflower mash. My porterhouse steak was perfect. Med/rare to rare side as should be. Very juicy and tender. That little bit of fat on the side…yum! the beef fat potatoes were also part taken home as they were far too good to be left behind. We normally don’t do dessert, but today we did. The panna cotta was a winner. Smooth with crunchy honey bits. Service was attentive, delightful and spot on. The French waiting staff members and today’s French chef are so passionate about good food and wine. All in all, delicious lunch. Well done. The owners have obviously made their dreams come through and it pays off. In addition to their own skills, they also welcome international young people who love to stay and learn from them. Great vibe and atmosphere, good kitchen, good crew, outside charming spot with pizza oven and smoke/grill, inside beautifully decorated with class and style. We get it. Well done. Big smile and big tip.
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Hermina
25 Feb 2026
Our first visit to this restaurant. If we could give 6 stars out of 5 we would. We went for lunch a la carte. Home made bread with smoked butter. Duck parfait yum and ample. Our little mini schnauzer approved of the duck as well and was made to feel welcome. I had zucchini salad for entree and could not finish.( took some back with us) the fresh dill, yogurt dressing and nuts/sultanas were delicious topping. Love their fresh produce. .For mains: The half chicken was outstanding. Succulent, full of flavour with fresh kale and great cauliflower mash. My porterhouse steak was perfect. Med/rare to rare side as should be. Very juicy and tender. That little bit of fat on the side…yum! the beef fat potatoes were also part taken home as they were far too good to be left behind. We normally don’t do dessert, but today we did. The panna cotta was a winner. Smooth with crunchy honey bits. Service was attentive, delightful and spot on. The French waiting staff members and today’s French chef are so passionate about good food and wine. All in all, delicious lunch. Well done. The owners have obviously made their dreams come through and it pays off. In addition to their own skills, they also welcome international young people who love to stay and learn from them. Great vibe and atmosphere, good kitchen, good crew, outside charming spot with pizza oven and smoke/grill, inside beautifully decorated with class and style. We get it. Well done. Big smile and big tip.
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burnett
25 Feb 2026
The staff were friendly, helpful and attentive. Whether by coincidence or design 3 waiting staff were young French people who certainly upheld that country's reputation for interest in food and wine.
The food prices were very reasonable but I have an on going complaint about the price of wine by the glass at most restaurants. Generally I believe they are not justified and amount to price gouging. Having said that it is worth noting that the wine here was well matched to the food (allowing the staff to make the choice) and offered an interesting selection from the region. The Mitchell Shiraz was good value considering it's age.
One strange matter was that when booking online you are asked whether a special occasion (birthday, anniversary etc) is being celebrated. We nominated a birthday but no mention was made of it on the day. It didn't affect our enjoyment of the meal but why ask if it doesn't generate some action?
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Warrick Duthy, Owner at Watervale Hotel, responded to this review - 2026-03-08
Thanks for your comments. We look forward to seeing you again for a degustation dining experience at Penobscot Restaurant at the Chefs Table. With respect to wines by the glass, we use a standard multiple of price for our wines, set well below the City multiple, and divide the bottle price by five for the by the glass price as there are fiver glasses in the bottle. All of our wines are chosen to align to our quality standards and reflect value for money for the customer, our margin does not vary. Yes, I bought the 2016 Mitchells P{eppertree Shiraz years ago as a service to our clentelle. With regards to the 'birthday' prompt, this is a feature of our booking system rather than a feature we have instigated. By and large we offer the same great service for everyone regardless of occasion, and don't like to impose ourselves on what is a private celebration. Warrick
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gma1502
20 Feb 2026
Ive been wanting to check this place out for a while and I can say it was delicious, but not wow. The food was fresh, but a few dishes were less flavorful than I would have liked. The corn was my favourite. The risotto was a bit bland, the zucchini salad was as well. The fish was divine. The service was friendly, but they did get one item wrong and took the food away then we waited for correct item, which I found odd. The lamb was good, but a touch overcooked. Overall it was an enjoyable experience and lovely venue, but did not live up to my expectations. I would recommend for a lunch in the Clare area nonetheless.
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Tanya
03 Feb 2026
Clare Valley’s Jewel: What an absolutely perfect experience to be waited on by some of the finest people and eat one of the greatest degustations in the southern hemisphere.
When we arrived (a group of boys enjoying the wine tours of Clare) we were greeted be a wonderful young man who offered us a beer and had a chat about the evening.
After a few minutes a gentleman named Warrick appeared and with genuine enthusiasm he explained what makes Clare so great for growing fine foods and premium grapes. This man knows more about wine, the industry and its people than I could ever dream to learn and he shares his knowledge with humility and interest.
Warrick then showed us to our dinner table where we had the most epic courses of charmingly home grown and meticulously curated foods. Emelion was our guide and chef, he was gracious and enthusiastic. We choose the wines from what is one of the most impressive wine lists going.
I’ve said enough, this place deserves all of the success it will no doubt continue to receive and much much more. Thanks team!!!
When we arrived (a group of boys enjoying the wine tours of Clare) we were greeted be a wonderful young man who offered us a beer and had a chat about the evening.
After a few minutes a gentleman named Warrick appeared and with genuine enthusiasm he explained what makes Clare so great for growing fine foods and premium grapes. This man knows more about wine, the industry and its people than I could ever dream to learn and he shares his knowledge with humility and interest.
Warrick then showed us to our dinner table where we had the most epic courses of charmingly home grown and meticulously curated foods. Emelion was our guide and chef, he was gracious and enthusiastic. We choose the wines from what is one of the most impressive wine lists going.
I’ve said enough, this place deserves all of the success it will no doubt continue to receive and much much more. Thanks team!!!
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John
01 Feb 2026
Clare Valley’s Jewel: What an absolutely perfect experience to be waited on by some of the finest people and eat one of the greatest degustations in the southern hemisphere.
When we arrived (a group of boys enjoying the wine tours of Clare) we were greeted be a wonderful young man who offered us a beer and had a chat about the evening.
After a few minutes a gentleman named Warrick appeared and with genuine enthusiasm he explained what makes Clare so great for growing fine foods and premium grapes. This man knows more about wine, the industry and its people than I could ever dream to learn and he shares his knowledge with humility and interest.
Warrick then showed us to our dinner table where we had the most epic courses of charmingly home grown and meticulously curated foods. Emelion was our guide and chef, he was gracious and enthusiastic. We choose the wines from what is one of the most impressive wine lists going.
I’ve said enough, this place deserves all of the success it will no doubt continue to receive and much much more. Thanks team!!!
When we arrived (a group of boys enjoying the wine tours of Clare) we were greeted be a wonderful young man who offered us a beer and had a chat about the evening.
After a few minutes a gentleman named Warrick appeared and with genuine enthusiasm he explained what makes Clare so great for growing fine foods and premium grapes. This man knows more about wine, the industry and its people than I could ever dream to learn and he shares his knowledge with humility and interest.
Warrick then showed us to our dinner table where we had the most epic courses of charmingly home grown and meticulously curated foods. Emelion was our guide and chef, he was gracious and enthusiastic. We choose the wines from what is one of the most impressive wine lists going.
I’ve said enough, this place deserves all of the success it will no doubt continue to receive and much much more. Thanks team!!!
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John
01 Feb 2026
We went there two nights in a row. As it was just a pleasure.
We had the master wine class with dinner. What an incredible experience. 🤩
The learnings about the local wine & ingredients were impressive. If you are interested in this area culinary, go there. So much knowledge. Thank you.
We had the master wine class with dinner. What an incredible experience. 🤩
The learnings about the local wine & ingredients were impressive. If you are interested in this area culinary, go there. So much knowledge. Thank you.
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Sarah
18 Jan 2026
My family and I have recently dined here for the sixth time in two years, and we will come back for more! Delicious and creative dishes, beautiful local wines, great ambience and lovely, international staff. Congratulations to Warrick and Nicola for bringing this level of boutique gastronomic dining to the Clare Valley.
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Anneloes
14 Jan 2026
Nicola and Warrick have done an outstanding job of transforming this country pub into a genuinely special culinary destination. They are incredibly hospitable hosts and the experience we had at the Penboscot Chef’s table for our anniversary was unforgettable. Thank you Nicola for the phenomenal food and Warrick for the beautiful wines. (We also stayed in the farm cottage which we loved!)
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Annabel
04 Jan 2026
Excellent Wine Class and Lunch! We had a fantastic master wine class and lunch here. Learned so much about the history of the Clare Valley wine industry. The food was pretty good, and the owner is incredibly knowledgeable about wine. A truly great experience!
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Virginia
30 Dec 2025
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Warrick Duthy, Owner at Watervale Hotel, responded to this review - 2025-12-31
Sandy, Yes we were somewhat inundated with late bookings and walk-ins on the weekend which left us under pressure. We were also unfortunately a Chef down with Nicola ill. We missed her leadership in the kitchen as well as her work. I was also drawn into the dish bay due to illness and would have otherwise been on the floor to offer free drinks or snacks. That said, our staff are briefed and encouraged to take initiative to provide such things if they feel that meals are running late. I apologise for your experience that falls well below our high standards. Yes, it is unusual. I hope that you will return when next in the region. Warrick
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Sandy
30 Dec 2025
The feed-me menu was excellent. It’s the second time we’ve been here and we’ve always had a great time. We did have to wait a while for our main course but to be honest, when eating such a large meal, it was no problem. Also, the staff were very polite and apologetic about the wait. In any case, there is a beautiful and friendly dog who comes and entertains you while you wait so, really no drama.
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Grounded
28 Dec 2025
We just had dinner at the highly rated watervale hotel. We heard great reviews and came all the way and was excited. Dinner started off great, entree was amazing and delicious. Then, we had to wait for our mains. We waited and waited, for almost a whole hour. I noticed at this time new tables are seated and many tables have food at this point. We were seated right in the middle of the restaurant with an empty table while the other tables were bustling. No one came and check on us, no one apologized for kitchen taking too long. Which we would have understood completely, working in hospitality. We finally had to ask the staff if the main were taking any longer, they then apologised and said a few more minutes. The food did come 10 mins later but at the point we have lost our appetite. I usually do not write reviews but we just left feeling annoyed with the whole situation. When we paid the bill, the staff apologize and took two glasses of wine off. It was a nice gesture but did not lessen out feelings of disappointment.
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Flora
28 Dec 2025
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Warrick Duthy, Owner at Watervale Hotel, responded to this review - 2025-12-27
Thanks so much Mark. We love to create a space for romance!
Warrick
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mark
26 Dec 2025
What an amazing space, delicious food and comforting experience. A quiet Monday night, with only a few early diners always makes me nervous. However, the service was great, the food truly delicious and the space eclectically wonderful. A nice little mocktail and no alcohol beer rounded out the experience nicely.
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Jared
14 Dec 2025
This was such an incredible spread!!! So so delicious. We stambled upon it by chance while riding the risling trail and it was the luckiest find ever! Food was unbelievably good- havent eaten that well in a long time - staff super friendly, and owner came check on us several times. Great atmosphere as well! 10/10 recommend! Bring your friends, and an empty stomach because excellent value for money. Get the feed me menu, you won’t regret!
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Caroline
23 Nov 2025
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Warrick Duthy, Owner at Watervale Hotel, responded to this review - 2025-11-09
It was our pleasure Elizabeth. The ceviche has certainly become a signature dish. As we make almost everything in house, from scratch, with a focus on our own produce from our organic and bio-dynamic farm attending to dietaries is no trouble. Warrick
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Libby
06 Nov 2025
Having read many great reviews about the Watervale Hotel we decided to give it a go. It was a very quiet Wednesday evening and we enjoyed a bowl of olives with a pre dinner drink. For our meal we ordered the porterhouse dish and the barramundi in barley broth. The porterhouse was quite grissly and rather disappointing. (There is no excuse for serving up a grissly steak!) The barramundi came out in a small bowl with a lot of broth and a large chard leaf wilting in the heat of the broth. My standard knife was replaced by a fish knife - fair enough I thought - but the stalk of the chard was incredibly tough and I could not cut it into bite sized pieces. I tried using the steak knife but that didn't work either! I was obviously struggling and the staff just walked by. The flavours were good though. It would have been better to serve the food in a lower larger bowl so I had a flat surface to cut the chard stalk. We were quite excited about coming to a restaurant with such a good reputation and left very dissappointed.
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Maggie
05 Nov 2025
A truly memorable experience at The Watervale Hotel. Being our 25th Wedding Anniversary we opted for a package which included a nights stay in their Penobscot Farm Cottage & a 10 course intimate degustation meal, with wine pairing. What a treat !!! Can’t recommend this experience highly enough. We just loved being seated at the kitchen table watching the chef create the delectable dishes. Put together beautifully using many home grown foods grown at Penobscot Farm. Yum, yum. Well done Warrick & Nicola, keep up the amazing offerings. Lastly, the cottage was cosy, with a comfy bed & tasty breakfast provisions, and when the ‘entrance’ garden to the cottage is spruced up it will make this entire package at true 11/10. These guys work their butt off, they deserve success! Support small business, you won’t be disappointed.
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Ellyanne
04 Nov 2025
I dined here with my daughter last Tuesday night ( mummy daughter getaway ) to the beautiful Clare Valley) All I can say is .. What a stunning Hotel 🤗 the decor itself is stunning. We were greeted so warmly by a lovely young lady. We started with the kingfish Cerviche with lemon sorbet WOW the flavours were amazing.. We followed with a Prawn Risotto with A side of The most delicious greens with chilli and hand cut chips. Sensational flavour bomb to be sure. The service was exceptional by all the staff and the owner was so lovely, taking the time to come to the table to chat and make sure all was well 🤗 Do yourself a favour and just GO Thankyou for a lovely night. We will be back 😘🥂 cheers Alana
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Alana
03 Nov 2025
Excellent degustation with matching wine, one of the best I've had anywhere. The food was exceptional, the wines delicious, expertly matched to the flavours of the dish. The owners were lovely too. Highly recommend coming here and trying it out, you will not be disappointed.
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James
02 Nov 2025
The Penobscot Restaurant is a ten seat, degustation only dining experience seated at the Chefs Table. There is the option to pair courses with wines or order wine/beverages as you wish. We were greeted and seated by Warwick who is affable as well as knowledgeable about local wines and was the perfect host. The real fun begins watching Chef Nicola prepare and plate the most delicious delights for us to enjoy. She answered all our questions and is an inspiration with her knowledge of growing, sourcing and preparing all manner of produce. I LOVE LOVE LOVED it!
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Warrick Duthy, Owner at Watervale Hotel, responded to this review - 2025-11-09
Thank you so much for your feedback. Yes, Penobscot Restaurant is designed to be an interactive, intimate, educational and entertaining experience. I am so glad you enjoyed it. Warrick
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Irnbru
28 Oct 2025
Watervale Hotel – ★★★☆☆
We dined at the Watervale Hotel and tried their Feed Me menu. The food was tasty and well-prepared, but it didn’t quite stand out as something special. Unfortunately, the service didn’t match the quality of the food, there were plenty of staff around, but they seemed unsure about presenting the dishes and replaced plates without cleaning the table, leaving it messy between courses.
The wait between meals was also very long, which made the experience feel a bit tiring.
On a positive note, the interior design was absolutely fabulous, with beautiful paintings and artwork on the walls that gave the place a warm and stylish atmosphere.
Overall, while the food and setting were lovely, the service and pacing need improvement to make the experience truly exceptional.
Thanks 😊
We dined at the Watervale Hotel and tried their Feed Me menu. The food was tasty and well-prepared, but it didn’t quite stand out as something special. Unfortunately, the service didn’t match the quality of the food, there were plenty of staff around, but they seemed unsure about presenting the dishes and replaced plates without cleaning the table, leaving it messy between courses.
The wait between meals was also very long, which made the experience feel a bit tiring.
On a positive note, the interior design was absolutely fabulous, with beautiful paintings and artwork on the walls that gave the place a warm and stylish atmosphere.
Overall, while the food and setting were lovely, the service and pacing need improvement to make the experience truly exceptional.
Thanks 😊
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Vahid
05 Oct 2025
Had a fantastic lunch at the Watervale Hotel. Was a very busy Sunday of the long weekend. However the staff were great, along with the owners running tables just as hard as anyone. Shows the passion they have to give everyone a great experience.
The meals were top notch, and will definitely return. Well worth the travel from Adelaide.
The meals were top notch, and will definitely return. Well worth the travel from Adelaide.
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Damon
05 Oct 2025
We had such a fantastic experience at the Watervale Hotel! The risotto and pasta were absolutely amazing – full of flavour and perfectly cooked. What really made the night extra special was the warm hospitality. The owner came out personally to chat with us, which made us feel so welcome and valued. It’s rare to find that kind of personal touch these days. We’ll definitely be back again soon – highly recommend!
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Tilly
26 Sep 2025
Wonderful dinner for two. Thoroughly enjoyed the meal: I had kangaroo and quandong pie and it was delicious. Love the paddock to plate ethos and the obvious care that goes into creating good food.
Friendly and attentive service, and excellent wine list. We thought it was good value for money too. And it's been beautifully renovated. Well done to the team there. 🙏
Friendly and attentive service, and excellent wine list. We thought it was good value for money too. And it's been beautifully renovated. Well done to the team there. 🙏
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Margaret
07 Sep 2025
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Warrick Duthy, Owner at Watervale Hotel, responded to this review - 2025-09-08
Thank you so much James. It was a pleasure to see you - both times! Warrick
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James42_10
06 Sep 2025
Great food but perfunctory service at best. Waitstaff were disinterested and forgetful. Had to ask after 15 minutes for our bread so that it wasn’t delivered at the same time as the mains. Kept wanting to take our wine glasses as we hadn’t ordered a bottle but we’re waiting for a glass of wine to be poured. Tatty dessert menus plonked on our table. We were asked when we booked if it was a special occasion which it was - our wedding anniversary but this was not noticed when we arrived. It’s a great venue and superb food and the owner probably sensed we were disappointed so showed us around at the end. But the wait staff need a lesson in providing service comparable to the food and price. Frankly we had much better service from the backpackers at the William Creek Hotel.
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Kim
03 Sep 2025
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Warrick Duthy, Owner at Watervale Hotel, responded to this review - 2025-08-20
Thanks, we can't wait until you return for our full menu experience. Warrick
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Subydoobydoo
19 Aug 2025
Popped in for lunch. Had the feed me menu at $85pp. Sounds expensive but I have to tell you it was worth every cent. I think it was 7 or 8 courses of chefs selections.
I can remember going to the Watervale Hotel years back when it was a rundown pub and now it is an amazing venue. Would love to know how much was spent on the renovations.
Highly recommend this place for a simply stunning dining experience.
Sorry we didn't take any photographs.
There is accommodation and I can only assume that it would be simply stunning.
I can remember going to the Watervale Hotel years back when it was a rundown pub and now it is an amazing venue. Would love to know how much was spent on the renovations.
Highly recommend this place for a simply stunning dining experience.
Sorry we didn't take any photographs.
There is accommodation and I can only assume that it would be simply stunning.
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Stephen
16 Aug 2025
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Warrick Duthy, Owner at Watervale Hotel, responded to this review - 2025-08-18
Catherine, I am so pleased that you had a wonderful time in the hands of our great staff. The half glasses ensure people can try more different wines responsibly, and the mocktails are designed to mimic characteristics of wine using combinations of tannin and texture from teas, herbs, acid from fruit juices and vinegars. Warrick
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Scmurray
15 Aug 2025
We shared both and it was heaps! Burger was terrific. Hand cut chips and a house made mayo dip. Sliders (3) were very tasty.
Service very friendly and very good. A must do stop.
A great looking wine list which unfortunately couldn’t partake as tastings to continue through the rest of this amazing valley
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Warrick Duthy, Owner at Watervale Hotel, responded to this review - 2025-08-18
Thanks David. Next time do our degfustation with wine match that becomes a Clare Valley wine masterclass. Warrick
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David
11 Aug 2025
We had the feed me experience which was stunning- exceptional quality fresh ingredients, starting with three small entrees, ( tuna on feta with crunchy skin, duck pate) and delicious home baked bread before moving to a goat ragú pasta and finished by kangaroo loin with amazing lamb fat roasted potatoes and baked beetroot. The dessert was a Catalan cream with the thinnest of crispy tops!
Everything was exquisite and presented at a lovely leisurely pace by engaging and knowledgeable staff.
We’ll be back!
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Warrick Duthy, Owner at Watervale Hotel, responded to this review - 2025-07-28
Thanks Bruce, It was a pleasure to serve you. Our Feed Me changes regularly, but we are also very happy to adapt it for dietaries and preferences.
Warrick
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Bruce
19 Jul 2025
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Warrick Duthy, Owner at Watervale Hotel, responded to this review - 2025-07-28
Thanks Zanderpants. Yes, people can choose to combine a few small plates, choose our more generous main dishes, or better still our Feed Me menu that collectively represents a complete meal.
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Zanderpants
09 Jun 2025
Absolutely awesome spot! 🌟 We stopped for lunch after hearing great things, and it totally delivered. Incredible food 🍷🍽️, warm and attentive service, and a beautiful setting. Even when we arrived soaked from the rain, they welcomed us with open arms. Loved the asparagus risotto and wine tasting with half glasses! Highly recommend. Will be back! 🙌
— Alex from Perth
— Alex from Perth
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Alexander
05 May 2025
A group of 5 of us stayed at the Watervale guesthouse on our walk on the Riesling trail. The accommodation was superb, very spacious and comfortable. Dinner at the hotel was amazing, the food, wine and service was perfect. A lot of thought has gone into preparing a menu with beautiful fresh local ingredients. Breakfast at general store was equally as good. Warrick was a wonderful host , very attentive with great attention to detail. He couldn’t do enough for us which was greatly appreciated. Wonderful premises and location. Highly recommended.
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Hasmik
26 Apr 2025
Bloody awesome. We stopped here for lunch on the way into Clare having been told about how amazing the food was, and we were not disappointed. The service was outstanding. The food was delicious and plentiful. We all left happy.
We also ordered a $60 bottle of wine which was clearly priced on the menu which we enjoyed a lot.
We also ordered a $60 bottle of wine which was clearly priced on the menu which we enjoyed a lot.
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mattrobx
24 Apr 2025
Five of us had a lovely lunch there. All the food was great and everybody was very happy. Barramundi from NT was excellent according to our two guests. One eats it regularly in Darwin. So that’s pretty good!
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Jon
27 Jan 2025
Dined in the restaurant for lunch, the staff were attentive, knowledgeable and were great! The food was incredible and loved our long lunch. We didn't feel rushed and loved the experience. Can't wait to come back again
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Christy
19 Jan 2025
Had an amazing lunch here this weekend, with some of the best customer service I have ever received. We arrived dripping wet after being unexpectedly caught in rain showers on our bikes, and must have looked like drowned rats - but not an eyebrow was raised. In fact, the owner went above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable and taken care of. The food was excellent, with our diverse vegetarian, gluten free and allergy needs taken care of. The asparagus risotto in particular was beautiful, an incredible amount of flavour. I enjoyed the half glasses of wine which enabled me to try more delicious options! I can’t wait to return.
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Rosalie
28 Dec 2024
Always an incredible experience at the Watervale Hotel! From the moment I walked in, I was blown away by the stunning decor and inviting atmosphere. The food was absolutely delicious, made with fresh ingredients sourced daily by the owner himself. He's a real character, and his passion for quality shines through in every dish and the beautiful details of the venue. The service was also fantastic, with one French waiter in particular going above and beyond to accommodate vegans and other dietary requirements. I can see why the Watervale Hotel has been recognized as one of the best culinary experiences in the Adelaide. If you're ever in the area, this is definitely a must-visit spot!
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S
17 Dec 2024
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Josh
07 Nov 2024
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Mark
31 Oct 2024
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Noni
29 Oct 2024
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Richard
22 Oct 2024
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KimEvg
21 Oct 2024
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Gigi68
16 Oct 2024
The front is unassuming but you walk in and the attention to detail is unmissable. Coming out to the back, seeing the open kitchen with dining is simply stunning. Add to that, our beautiful French waitress was so attentive to our needs. And food that was at the highest level; comforting, flavourful and filling. For an experience that we booked last minute, on a birthday jaunt to the Clare valley- we could not be happier.
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Lynx
02 Oct 2024
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Kirsty
28 Sep 2024
Sensation!!!! Some of the most flavourful and perfectly cooked food I’ve ever eaten. Have traveled overseas and to many renowned restaurants within Australia, and this food surpasses expectations! Steak was outstanding. The must visit and must experience, Watervale hotel!
Thank you guys!
Thank you guys!
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Lauren
07 Aug 2024
My husband and I had the most wonderful dinner at the Watervale Hotel. We opted for the feed me menu and loved every mouthful of it. We were blown away with every course. Absolutely sensational!
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Julie
04 Aug 2024
Most scrumptious food, tastiest the duck and steak I've had in I don't know how long.
The presentation of the food was immaculate, the staff were very friendly and took a lot of pride in their kitchen.
Warwick & Veronica are lovely hosts and are doing wonderful things with biofarming and having a farm led kitchen causes the most amazing looking and tasting produce.
The presentation of the food was immaculate, the staff were very friendly and took a lot of pride in their kitchen.
Warwick & Veronica are lovely hosts and are doing wonderful things with biofarming and having a farm led kitchen causes the most amazing looking and tasting produce.
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Luke
31 Jul 2024






































