The best restaurant in the Hunter Valley. Hands down you wont find a better place. Because of that,…read morebook! Don't try just rocking up, you won't find a place. Minimum two course order, it is $75 a head. Or you can pay $120 and get the taster. Either way all is good! Each meal is better than the last, you won't be disappointed. From the noodles in sake cream to the 70 hour slow cooked steak, it is all good. You will be sharing and enjoying each dish. If you get the taster, they will also give you wine for each meal. The service here is also nothing less than amazing. But you wouldn't expect any different. If you haven't got from this review, I love this place! I come here anytime I am in the Hunter, and every time I have never been disappointed. So come a long, and come with an empty stomach.

Went here based on previous reviews. I wasn't disappointed! Thi place served up fantastic courses…read moreof chicken, duck, venison and pork. Every mouthful of food was incredibly delicious! The wine recommended was absolutely amazing. Also, given the somewhat dated exterior of the restaurant, the interior was superbly designed and laid out. The on the house starter also tipped me over the edge to a perfect score. These people run a seriously tight ship, with perfect customer service. I'm very impressed, and will 100% come back to Muse on my next visit to the Hunter!

Great restaurant overlooking a billabong, we had the whole snapper which was deliciousread more

From the owner: Experience fresh, smart and simple dishes during your outdoor dining at Leaves and Fishes…read more Specialising in seafood, with non-seafood, vegetarian, vegan, coeliac and lactose-free options, Leaves & Fishes delivers a unique blend of Asian and Modern Australian cuisine in a relaxed, casual and friendly environment. Leaves and Fishes has an ambience unique to any restaurant in Hunter Valley Wine Country - be sure to drop in on your next visit!

We had the best lunch today at Emersons Cafe! Started with Duck pate w toasted cibatta. The pate is…read morerich and smooth, perfect w the crispy cibatta. The jelly on top is just divine! Then we shared Roast pork loin, pickled red canbage, apple chutney and crackling. The crackling is yummy, but the pork loin is amazing. The meat is tender, juicy and flavorful! It is perfect w the apple chutney and cabbage. And finally Braised wagyu beef cheeks, truffled potato cream, peas and onions. The beef melted in my mouth. The potato cream is to die for. Really friendly staff and the booking was simple and efficient. Would love to visit again!

Small cute place with delicious food and friendly service! Was very pleased with everything, will…read moredefinitely come back!

As a treat during a weekend away at the Hunter Valley, we tried the degustation menu with matching…read morewines at Emerson. What can I say - just absolutely spectular food that was beautifully presented and tasted delicious. My first go at degustation - I was very impressed and I am now well and truly hooked on this way of dining. From the 8 courses enjoyed, it is hard to choose my favourite dish but I would say either the pan fried local snapper (so fresh!) or the angus beef brisket. Both cooked to perfection. My only complaint - and it's a strange one - the servings of wine could have been smaller. Serving a generous glass of wine with 6 of the courses was more than we could drink and left me a little too full to enjoy the desert. Would definitely go again and possibly drink less to enjoy the food more! One of my favourites.

OK, we did not know what to expect here. No reviews, just heard the name a few years ago when we…read morewere up here but it was closed at the time so couldn't partake. Do you like pork? They do it four ways. Not to mention the delicious ocean trout and wagyu strip. But seriously, pork four ways! Star dish, thank you. Waitress was a little bit butter fingers on the day, but not enough to lessen the star value. Great wine selections and fantastic food, located near some place called Hunter Country Lodge, its seriously good food.

I visited Shakey Tables for dinner and say the food was lovely. They have a great chef…read more Unfortunately I was very disappointed by the service from the owner/manager. From the minute we sat down he had a degree of attitude that was upsetting. We even politely tried to address with him during the meal. We were then asked to leave. I was amazed at such poor customer service especially form the owner. I must point out that we were not rude in any way and even kept or voices very quite so no other guest could hear yet he did raise his voice. I never bother writing reviews but my partner so so upset for this experience I feel I have to share.

This place has potential, the people were fantastic but unfortunately the service was very…read moreslow....don't go hungry as you will wait. Our entrees didn't take to long to come out, but we waited over an hour for the mains and with kids starving that was a hard wait. The food was great especially the pumpkin ravioli definitely a massive win.

Amazing food amazing staff and amazing atmosphere we were a very large group of 19 people they were…read morehappy to accommodate us and ecen did so without comprising the quality of the food the chef and staff even took the time come out to sing happy birthday to my mother with her cake the chef introduced himself after our wonderful meal. Thank you all you made our night out memorable

Lovely setting in the Hunter. Service was great. Food was good. Garlic bread to start and Gnocchi…read morefor mains. A lovely rose for the drink . Ambience needed some music perhaps . Enjoyed the food none the less

The food was good great staff and good atmosphere. There were plenty of gluten free options . We…read morehad our small dog with us and the staff were happy to set up a table close to an open door. The service was great with friendly staff.

Outstanding service Food was amazing…read moreGreat atmosphere and excellent view 10/10 experience

A perfect 5 star experience all thanks to an amazing location, outstanding food and a manager named…read moreSharon who made my recent visit something to rave to friends about! After touring some of the wineries in the area, I wanted to sit outside, enjoy the beautiful scenery and have some terrific food and wine. The Verandah, located at the Calais Estate, was the perfect solution with their wrap around upstairs porch overlooking the rolling estate. There were two choices for lunch- a pre selected "Tapas Tower" which is a feast for two with several daily selections ($80) or a la carte tapas items listed a few pages back in the menu. I went with the latter and had a chance to taste a wide range of their offerings and all were amazingly good. My favs were the polenta coated soft shell crab, the mushroom aranachi, and the jambon. They also had a nice wine list and were able to find me a local Cabernet that was quite nice! The service staff was super helpful, even re directing the fan my way given it was a very hot day on the veranda. But my visit was really topped off by the welcoming nature of Sharon, the manager. She kept stopping at my table to ensure all was well and even related a story about her recent trip to Chicago where someone went out of their way to help her and her husband. It made for a great visit. So I'll end where I began. If you want a great location, outstanding food and a staff that cares, look no further than The Verandah. It really will make your entire experience in the Hunter Valley one to remember!

Ah Polina's not only do you have the same nickname as my mother, but you make a coffee good enough…read moreto back up that name. Being in Cessnock *Hunter Valley* you'd think a café in the country wouldn't be able to compare to its city counter parts, oh how'd wrong you be. It all starts with Polina herself a very jittery and quirky lady from Europe who us extremely friendly. Then comes the food an assortment of Aussie classic breakfast foods with a little touch of class to them. Lastly comes the best part the coffee, it's the best I've had in Australia perfect amount of coffee to milk ratio and frothed perfectly! So if you're from the Hunter or just here on a wine trip you have to stop in! PS the bathroom in here is awesome, I won't say why but it goes hand & hand with your coffee.