7 Griffith restaurants leading the way in farm-to-table dining

From paddock to plate, Griffith and the Riverina are at the forefront of the sustainable food movement.

Griffith restaurants have always been one of Australia’s most important food-producing areas. It creates more wine, citrus and poultry products than any other region in Australia, and its incredible agricultural output is only matched by the strong cultural and culinary legacies of its residents, with the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any local government area in Australia.

Stop by Piccolo Family Farm to see local produce at its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

With a bounty of quality produce available, as well as the culinary heritage to know how to use it, it’s no surprise that Griffith’s restaurants have championed the paddock-to-plate movement. Here, chefs are using the freshest sustainably produced, locally grown and sourced ingredients in their meals, products, wines and whiskies to create truly unforgettable dining experiences.

Here are seven of the best farm-to-table venues to visit in the western Riverina region.

1. Zecca Handmade Italian

Set in the iconic Rural Bank building in Griffith, Zecca Handmade Italian prepares fresh, seasonal Italian cuisine made with local ingredients.

The restaurant’s specialty is artisanal obscure pasta shapes and styles, handmade with durum wheat semolina grown and milled locally in the Riverina region. They also cure their own salami, preserve fruit and vegetables, and bottle their own passata from local tomatoes. The restaurant offers a daily changing menu, and packets of their handmade pasta are available in-store.

Zecca Italian, Griffith — Stop in for seasonal Italian cuisine made with local ingredients at Zecca Italian. (Image: DNSW)

2. Bull & Bell Steakhouse

With a menu limited to a 300-kilometre produce range, and a commitment to showcasing regional partners, Bull & Bell Steakhouse , part of the Gem Hotel , made a culinary splash when it was ranked one of the world’s 101 best steak restaurants .

The menu includes detailed information about the farms that supply their produce, the growing processes, and the beef programs used by the cattle farmers.

A highlight is the Stanbroke Signature Tasting Plate, which allows diners to try three types of beef (dry-aged, Angus and grass-fed). True to the area’s roots, guests can also enjoy an Italian-style bistecca alla fiorentina served sanguinoso (rare) with a dash of extra virgin olive oil, salt and rosemary.

Bull & Bell Steakhouse, Griffith restaurants — Treat yourself to one of the world’s best steak restaurants. (Image: Destination Riverina Murray)

3. Limone

Book a table at Limone for a true farm-to-table dining experience (and a few recipes influenced by Nonna). Chef Luke Piccolo serves meals made with produce gathered from his family’s property, Piccolo Family Farm , including house-made lamb sausages with caponata, zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta, potato and herbs, and a margarita pizza served with 24-hour fermented dough, passata grown and made on the farm, fresh basil and traditional buffalo mozzarella.

The enthusiastic farming family have even planted a vineyard featuring Italian varietals to serve in the restaurant.

Limone has a strong no-waste ethos, which extends well beyond the menu; even the building was constructed with almost entirely recycled materials salvaged from around Griffith, right down to the charcoal grill made from reclaimed farm equipment.

Limone Dining, Griffith restaurants — Taste dishes made with fresh ingredients gathered from the chef’s family’s property. (Image: DNSW)

4. Yarran Wines

Hosting paired tastings with local produce, as well as special events celebrating regional producers, Yarran Wines has carved a niche as one of the best wine destinations in Griffith, earning accolades for its cellar door experience.

The family-owned vineyard, located in Yenda, offers organically certified, small-batch wines focusing on lesser-known varieties. The vineyard also regularly hosts Live in the Vines , featuring live music, picnic boxes with goods from local producers, pizza and bountiful cups of wine.

During A Taste of Italy Griffith festival , held every August, the vineyard hosts paired food and wine events, where they serve up olives grown, picked and cured in-house.

Stop into Yarran Wines for a paired tasting with local produce. (Image: Destination Riverina Murray)

5. Whitton Malt House

A short drive from Griffith, Whitton Malt House champions the farm-to-plate experience not just in their restaurant, but also in their on-farm malting facility.

The distillery produces small-batch, hand-crafted artisanal malts made from locally grown and regionally sourced Riverina grains, and guests can take part in daily whisky tastings. The restaurant serves locally sourced dishes including Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod croquette with smoked cod, jalapeno and bechamel sauce, and Grunt Pork Smokehouse pork belly with roasted cauliflower puree, jus and apple jam.

Whitton Malt House, Griffith — Stop into Whitton Malt House for food and drinks made with local ingredients. (Image: Visit Griffith)

6. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod

Griffith isn’t just known for its farm-to-fork ethos, as it also offers a unique pond-to-plate experience. Despite being 550 kilometres inland, the Riverina is home to one of the country’s most successful aquaculture companies, Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod .

The sustainably farmed fish is exported internationally, featured on fine dining menus across the country, and is showcased on the menu in most of Griffith’s restaurants (including Whitton Malt House, Bull & Bell Steakhouse, Zecca Handmade Italian and Limone). In town, visitors can buy direct from the processing plant.

Aquan — Discover Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod in the dishes of several Riverina restaurants.

7. Naturally Dried Prunes

Forget the fork, forgo the plate: at Naturally Dried Prunes you can pick fruit straight from the trees on limited dates over the summer months.

This innovative family-friendly farm at Yenda boasts the first automated sustainable solar drying system in Australia; using new technology, the farm has reduced its carbon footprint by 95 per cent.

Each summer, the farm opens its gates to the public, inviting them onto the farm for tours of the orchard, demonstrations of the drying equipment and, most importantly, taste tests of their prepacked chocolate-covered prunes. In mid-summer, the orchard also opens for guests to pick their own sugar plums.

Pick fruit straight from the trees at Naturally Dried Prunes.

Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw — Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle — Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe .

2. Destination dining

Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw — Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca , which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie , the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths — Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach . Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen , which is open from 6am.

Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse .

You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach , where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

couple eating at Flotilla newcastle — Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

5. Newcastle nightlife

Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw — Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne , Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s .

Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.