2 Best Restaurants in The Hunter Valley Wine Region, New South Wales

This breakfast and lunch café is at Peppers Creek Village, a charming little shopping and dining enclave in Pokolbin with a village green atmosphere. Housed in a sandstone building, with a lovely attached sun-drenched courtyard overlooking a fountain, this is a great spot for a hearty lunch after a visit to neighboring David Hooks winery and the clothing and antiques shops. Meals are substantial and may include handmade linguine with tiger prawns and fresh chili or zucchini. It's a popular place in the warmer months, and even breakfast can be booked out on weekends.

Serving up a vast selection of northern Italian specialties, the outdoor terrace at Il Cacciatore is the perfect place for a leisurely weekend lunch. The exterior is classic Australian, with a veranda overlooking the vineyards. Once you step inside, your senses will be overwhelmed by the wonderful aromas wafting from the kitchen. Italian favorites crowd this menu, with pasta and gnochi the staple. Make sure you leave plenty of room for the long list of desserts, too. An extensive list of local and imported wines complements the menu. One of the few restaurants in the area also open every night for dinner.