Eat

Many of the local restaurants and cafes serve "traditional" German heritage food, but don’t get scared, it’s usually delish. There are many excellent restaurants in the area, most focusing on seasonal food made with locally-grown fresh ingredients. A lot of love goes into this food, and preparation, so you will not be disappointed. Plan on eating at structured times, as in classic breakfast, lunch or dinner times, or the kitchens may be closed. Here are some of Barossa’s standout eateries:

• 1918 Bar and Grill A Tanunda restaurant serving seasonally-inspired cuisine based on modern Australian tastes with influences from Asia and the Middle East. Entrees are around $18, mains $30.
• Krondorf Road Cafe @ Kabminye Wines This modern eco-friendly Tanunda cafe is open for lunch everyday. The food is lovely and you can wander through their art gallery afterwards.
• Appellation Located in Marananga and one of the best restaurants in the region, but one of those fine-dining experiences worth paying for. Their degustation with matched wines is $195 per head, but expect unpretentious dining without the tiny portions of usual fine dining restaurants. Refreshing!
• Lyndoch Bakery Smell the tasty German breads and treats as you enter this little gem of a bakery in Lyndoch, you won't be able to resist! It's also good for breakfast and a coffee or chai tea.

• Vintner's Bar and Grill In this warm country setting of exposed wood beams, huge stone fireplace and a vine covered courtyard, you’ll find perfectly matched warm country comfort food in Angaston. Entrees are $12-$24 and mains $32-$38.
• Blond Coffee You don’t need to drop a packet to enjoy the good things in the Barossa, this little cafe in Angaston has great coffee and heaps of local produce for sale.
• Miranda Restaurant @ Lou Miranda Estate Located at the cellar door of a Rowland Flat winery, this restaurant is popular for its sumptuous Italian food, friendly atmosphere and reasonable prices. Entrees around $14, mains up to $32 and good pizza and pasta options for around $19.

Produce

Not to be overshadowed by the wine industry, some wonderful food and produce is made in the Barossa Valley, so arrive hungry as well as thirsty! Barossa foods have a reputation for their quality and local production is increasing. Products are sold in local markets and shops, and served in local cafes and restaurants. Many are exported internationally, and to other parts of Australia for sale through retailers or for restaurant use.

• Maggie Beer Farm Shop Selling a range of products made by the food whiz extraordinaire herself, Maggie Beer, from this quaint shop in Nuriootpa. Maggie is a writer, former restaurateur and co-presenter of Australian ABC Television's program The Cook and The Chef, and she produces pâtés, fruit pastes, jams, jellies, glazes, preserves, olive oil, verjuice, vinegars, herbs and spices, soups and ice cream. Her creations are exceptionally delicious and well worth a look...and a sample...and purchase...and going back the next day for more purchasing.

• Angas Park Fruit Company Produces dried fruit in Angaston with a retail outlet selling yummy things like chocolate covered fruits, jams, sauces and cakes.
• Apex Bakery in Tanunda, Linkes Bakery in Nuriootpa and the Lyndoch Bakery all produce traditional German breads and pastries.
• Schultz Butchers in Angaston and Steiny's Traditional Mettwurst in Tanunda produce meats, Mettwurst and other smallgoods in the German style.
• Barossa Valley Cheese Co. in Angaston produces wonderful dairy delights, and look out for the products of Ballycroft Artisan Cheese who supply many places in the valley, including the Barossa Valley Cheese Co.
• Barossa Valley Farmers Market in Angaston is held every Saturday, it runs from 7.30am-11.30am and sells local produce directly by the producer.
• Tanunda’s Nice Ice is the place to sample fun flavoured ice-cream including Shiraz, Cabernet and Quince. It's opposite the Tanunda Hotel.

Drink

If you're coming to the Barossa Valley, it can be assumed that the wine is probably part of the attraction. Most bars will serve a good selection, and most of the wineries have a cellar door with free tastings. The main restaurants feature a wide range of Barossa vintages, as well as a surprising breadth of offerings from the rest of Australia and iconic international wines.