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Restaurant

Vasarelli Cellar Door Restaurant

169 Main Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171, Australia

Recommended by 75 people

Updated

Find Vasarelli Cellar Door Restaurant

169 Main Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 8 8323 7980
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 6:00 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 6:00 – 9:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 6:00 – 9:30 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM, 6:00 – 9:30 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 3:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Vasarelli Cellar Door Restaurant

Set inside a restored homestead on Main Road, Vasarelli delivers hearty Italian comfort paired with McLaren Vale pours. Grab a table out on the breezy covered verandah for long afternoon lunches, or head indoors among the timber floorboards for a quieter meal. Regulars head straight for the handmade pastas—especially the saffron-infused duck pappardelle and taglierini tossed with sweet South Australian crab meat. Plates come generous and unfussy, matched by bottles of local Shiraz and crisp pours of regional Riesling.

  • Verandah & Homestead Dining: Choose between a breezy, covered outdoor deck and quieter indoor seating framed by timber floors inside a restored residence.
  • Hearty Regional Pastas: Signature house plates include saffron duck pappardelle, slow-braised lamb ragu, and taglierini loaded with regional blue swimmer crab.
  • McLaren Vale Wine Focus: Dine alongside regional bottlings, cellar door pours, and pairings like local Shiraz and McLaren Vale whites.
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What's On at Vasarelli Cellar Door Restaurant

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Reasons to Choose Vasarelli Cellar Door Restaurant

Why diners choose Vasarelli Cellar Door Restaurant for authentic Italian dining and group gatherings in McLaren Vale.

  • Generous Traditional Italian Pastas

    Freshly crafted regional pastas like slow-cooked lamb shoulder ragu and saffron duck pappardelle are served in abundant portions.

    Perfectly cooked pasta with extremely generous amounts of duck – sensational.

    Nicki A

  • Seafood and Classic Mains

    Locally sourced seafood and meats, from whole barramundi to crisp calamari and pasta frutti di mare, are cooked to perfection.

    The seafood spaghetti is a must, the perfect flavours to allow the seafood to shine.

    Nick McLoughlan

  • Group Dining and Milestone Celebrations

    The venue effortlessly hosts milestone birthdays, team dinners, and farewell celebrations with seamless service and lively ambience.

    Went for a staff dinner to celebrate the New Year. Had a beautifully cooked dinner paired with some amazing wines

    Lincoln Mcnair

  • Flexible Indoor and Verandah Settings

    A versatile setup lets groups choose between a lively covered deck and a quieter, intimate dining room inside a restored residence.

    The atmosphere is well set with a bustling outside area and a quieter inside dining experience.

    Lincoln Mcnair

  • Welcoming Last-Minute and Spontaneous Visits

    The staff regularly accommodates short-notice and walk-in diners during busy peak lunch and weekend hours without sacrificing hospitality.

    We visited here last weekend and made a last minute reservation which they were able to accommodate.

    Thomas Houseman

  • Dedicated McLaren Vale Regional Wine Focus

    The beverage program focuses squarely on McLaren Vale regional viticulture, offering local pairings and cellar door wines.

    ALL the wines were from the McLaren Vale which we thought was a great local touch.

    Thomas Houseman

Signature pastas and mains celebrated by locals and visitors

  • Spalla di Agnello Ragu

    Spaghetti Al Frutti Di Mare and the Spalla Di Agnello Ragu. The entree was insanely good and served in about 15mins. The mains came out about 10mins later; perfect timing. After trying each others meals, we couldn’t work out which one we loved more

    Michael Bennett

  • Pappardelle Anatra e Zaffereno

    Mark from Maxwell’s recommended the Pappardelle Anatra e Zaffereno (pappardelle, slow-cooked duck, pancetta, artichokes, chilli, garlic, saffron cream & pecorino) which was out of this world – the best pasta I’ve ever eaten.

    Nicki A

  • Crispy Skinned Barramundi

    2 serves of the crispy skinned barramundi. AMAZING.

    Georgie F

  • Seafood Spaghetti

    The seafood spaghetti is a must, the perfect flavours to allow the seafood to shine.

    Nick McLoughlan

Other favorites

Complementary starters, desserts, and drinks to round out your visit

  • Pane al Forno

    We shared some Pane al Forno (wood-oven bread) served with butter which was so tasty.

    Nicki A

  • Baked Cheesecake

    baked cheesecake for dessert was exceptional

    Paul Woodhouse

  • Lemon Curd Tart with Lemon Sorbet

    We finished off with a lemon curd tart with lemon sorbet.

    Georgie F

  • Limoncello Mojito

    Highly recommend the limoncello mojito too

    Georgie F

Beyond the menu

Distinctive hospitality touches and thoughtful service details at Vasarelli Cellar Door Restaurant.

  • Dedicated McLaren Vale Wine Program

    The wine list exclusively showcases regional McLaren Vale wines, reflecting a strong local focus across the cellar door dining experience.

  • Off-Menu Cellar Sourcing

    Staff accommodate off-menu cellar discoveries when requested, such as sourcing a special Riesling not listed on the standard wine list.

  • Attentive Dietary Accommodations

    The kitchen comfortably adapts dishes for guests with specific dietary restrictions during multi-course pasta lunches.

  • Dual Verandah and Restored Residence Spaces

    Guests can choose between a sunlit, breezy covered verandah deck or quieter indoor dining among the polished floorboards of the restored residence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most recommended dishes to order?

Popular highlights include fresh pasta dishes like the Spalla di Agnello (lamb ragu) and Pappardelle Anatra e Zaffereno (duck ragu with saffron cream), along with seafood options such as the marinara or SA crab taglierini, garlic bread, bocconcini bruschetta, and crispy-skinned barramundi.

Is outdoor or verandah seating available?

Yes, dining areas include a covered outdoor verandah and deck that catches fresh breezes, alongside a quieter indoor dining area set within a restored heritage residence.

How generous are the portion sizes?

Portion sizes are generally generous and hearty across entrées, mains, and pasta dishes, making several items well-suited for sharing.

Do you need to book a table in advance?

Yes, reservations are accepted, and the team frequently accommodates short-notice bookings and walk-ins when space permits, though reserving ahead is recommended during busy weekends and holidays.

Can the restaurant cater to dietary restrictions like gluten-free?

Yes, the kitchen can accommodate special dietary requirements, including preparing gluten-free pasta options upon request.

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