Delicious lunch spots to try in the Hunter Valley

For lunch with a view: Bistro Molines, Mount View 

Bistro Molines is the kind of place you never want to leave. From the dreamy setting overlooking rolling hills of vines to the old-fashioned, warm hospitality, it feels like the perfect imagining of what a great Hunter Valley restaurant should be. The decor transports you to the south of France, replete with wrought-iron chairs and candelabras, whitewashed cupboards and elaborate flower arrangements. 

When the sun is shining, book a table in the paved courtyard, then order dishes like house-smoked quail on a cassoulet of beans, or baked figs filled with gorgonzola wrapped in prosciutto. After you’ve had the last piece of chocolate tart and the last sip of liqueur, check in to the Little Orchard Cottage, an on-site charming two-bedroom a short walk away.  

Bistro Molines, Mount View

For modern Italian with a local twist: éRemo Restaurant, Pokolbin

The ethos at éRemo, the restaurant at Spicer’s Guesthouse, is all about connecting with local producers to reimagine Italian cooking. The benefit of a lunch booking: the stunning views of the countryside. The kitchen serves lunch seven days a week, and visitors can drop by for a meal even if they are not staying at the accommodation. 

Order generous serves of roasted mahi mahi with tapenade butter, whole spatchcock with spicy nduja and risoni. If you are feeling especially hungry, opt for the indulgent ‘Avido’ (which means “greedy” in Italian) set menu. 

éRemo Restaurant - Credit: Spicers Retreats

For farm-to-fork dining: Circa 1876, Pokolbin 

Lazy lunches at Circa 1876 feel like grand parties in a country estate. Enter into a charming building, dine with green views and find dishes that look like miniature sculpture gardens. The two- or three-course menu, overseen by executive chef Joey Ingram (former head chef at Margan) is all about paddock-to-plate fare. Eggs come from the property’s hens, veggies are plucked daily and almost everything is made in-house. You might find garden leeks are combined with caviar and mussels in a Sardinian fregola or the orchard’s blood orange used to flavour scallops alongside ginger and hazelnut.  

Circa 1876 Restaurant Hunter Valley, Pokolbin - Credit: Circa 1876 Restaurant Hunter Valley

For a local institution: Margan, Broke 

These days, sustainable and farm-to-table dining are buzz words. Back in 2006, however, when Andrew and Lisa Margan opened Margan on the grounds of their eco-winery under the same name, it was ground-breaking. Today, the acclaimed restaurant is run under the same principles: the garden provides 90% of produce, meat adheres to a strict ethical-sourcing policy and restaurant waste is processed back into the farm ecosystem. Dine in a cellar door complete with barrels, enjoy an indulgent but simple menu and tour the Margan family farm.   

Margan, Broke

For Mediterranean share plates: Cézan Trattoria & Bar, Broke

A little piece of the mediterranean in the Hunter, Cézan Trattoria & Bar at Krinklewood Biodynamic Winery serves up flavoursome, seasonal dining. Think delicate kingfish crudo, creamy hummus, rustic flatbreads and artisanal cold cuts. Each dish is thoughtfully paired with Krinklewood’s organic wines, creating a seamless journey from plate to glass.

Cézan Trattoria & Bar + Catering, Broke - Credit: Cézan Trattoria & Bar + Catering | David Griffen Photography

For country cafe dining: Worn Out Wares, Singleton 

Part-florist, part-shop, part-cafe and part-workshop space, Worn Out Wares is a central part of the Singleton community and a key stop for any wise traveller heading to and from the Hunter. Drop in for a coffee roasted by Central Coast makers Glee Coffee, try the locally loved Reuben and ask about the tart of the day, or share a seasonal grazing plate that includes local cheese, house-made relishes and bread from loved Novocastrians Uprising Bakery. Then, take a minute to pick a local bloom or upgrade your house with homewares from great NSW artisans.  

Worn Out Wares, Singleton - Credit: Nikki To

For pizza with a view: Bimbadgen Wood Fire Pizzeria, Pokolbin

For a budget-friendly option, enjoy a pizza at Bimbadgen Wood Fire Pizzeria, which is co-located with Esca at Bimbadgen Estate. Cooked in a traditional outdoor oven using fresh ingredients, their pizzas range from the classics to modern reinterpretations. Try their popular BBQ pork belly pizza or opt for the taco-style pizza del le casa which includes crushed doritos. Relax in the Tuscan-inspired courtyard with a glass of wine and take in the spectacular view from under the shade of their vine-covered pergola. Friday evening is a great time to visit with live music and a happy hour on offer.

Bimbadgen Estate, Pokolbin - Credit: Bimbadgen Estate

For picnic dining: Jimmy Joans, Rothbury   

In summer sit under a gum tree in the garden under an umbrella with a ceviche, a dozen oysters and either a martini or an iced latte. In winter, cosy up next to the fireplace with a chicken and leek pie, an old fashioned and a friend. Either option represents the Jimmy Joans philosophy: reviving the authentic, warm hospitality of the late Jim and Joan Moyle (grandparents of Kim Starkey, one of the venue’s founders). This means everyone, whether you’ve just walked off a long morning on the farm or a luxury wine tour, is welcome and the menu and vibe is set up to match. If you’d like your burger, koftas or roast chook with a side of live music, check the all-day venue’s socials for dates. 

Jimmy Joans, Rothbury - Credit: Jimmy Joans

For barbecue in the garden: Yellow Billy Restaurant, Pokolbin   

At Yellow Billy, before you order, check out the barbecue set up: you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to an Argentinian celebration. Plus, after you see lamb shoulders, pork and chicken slowly turning golden brown from the attention of a live flame, it might affect your order. On top of the barbecued meats, Yellow Billy Restaurant's menu brings together charred vegetables and Mediterranean/South American-leaning share plates that complement the hero proteins. You can feast outside in the same garden that supplies a fair chunk of the produce, or in a humble dining room that looks onto Piggs Peake Winery and the bush surrounds.  

Yellow Billy Restaurant, Pokolbin - Credit: Yellow Billy Restaurant