McLaren Vale’s d'Arry's Verandah Restaurant has been named Restaurant of the Year in the 2023 Restaurant and Catering awards for Excellence.

It also won the award for best Restaurant in a Winery, competing against South Australia’s top wine region dining experiences.

Sponsored by Hostplus, the awards give restaurants, cafes and caterers recognition for hard work, exceptional food and outstanding service.

They recognise operators in metropolitan and regional centres and Fleurieu food outlets have done exceptionally well, with two more winners and several finalists.

Goolwa’s Bombora on the River won the café dining – Regional category, in which Victor Harbor’s Causeway Café was also a finalist.

Encounter Bay’s Whalers Seaside Dining was named Best Breakfast Restaurant – Regional.

Hindmarsh Valley’s Swagman Country Dining took out the award for Contemporary Australian Restaurant – Informal, from a large field of finalists from around the state.

They included Oasis Gardens Restaurant, in Belvidere and Whalers Seaside Dining.

Swagman Country Dining was also a finalist in the Specialty Restaurant category, along with Victor Harbor’ Loco Mexican, while Nino's of Victor Harbor was a finalist in the Italian Restaurant category.