Hit the Taste Trail

RiverBank Estate

Discover the best local cuisine the Swan Valley has to offer through its freshly curated Taste the Swan Valley Trail.

A LONG, LAZY lunch overlooking the vines is often the image that springs to mind when thinking about having a meal in the Swan Valley.

What many don’t realise is that the Valley has a smorgasbord of foodie options, available at any time of the day.

The Swan Valley Food and Wine Trails, created with the support of Tourism WA, has in recent years grown from the original Cider and Ale Trail to include Sweet Temptations, Fresh Seasonal Produce and most recently, the Swan Valley Fortified Wine Trail.

But there was something missing: a guide to the best seasonal meals on offer at different times of the day.

Enter Taste the Swan Valley, a new trail dedicated to mealtimes. It is the 10th publication in a suite of trails and like those that came before it, acts as a “local in your pocket” guide to eating out. Enjoy a few stops on each visit and keep it in your glove box for future inspiration.

Given the number of restaurants and producers in the Swan Valley – there are well over 60 places to eat, from cafes to brewpubs – respected Perth chef consultant Stuart Laws was enlisted to help bring Taste the Swan Valley to life.

“One of the things that surprised me the most was the amount and variety of food venues in the Valley,” says Stuart.

“I had no idea that you could go for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is certainly unique compared to other wine regions in WA.”

Known as a local produce champion, Stuart was keen to see what was available and how it could be incorporated seasonally at venues selected to feature on the new trail.

“The Valley is like a hidden gem of produce, so many small producers growing all kinds of ingredients, you just need to know where to look,” he says. “But you can’t go past the grapes and figs. They are to die for.”

Over summer, Stuart has been using Swan Valley grapes in a kangaroo dish at his restaurant Brown Street Grill.

“They are so fresh and crisp. An absolute delight.”

Taste the Swan Valley is an opportunity to explore the many options available, ranging from casual and relaxed, to fine dining, in a variety of settings from morning to night.

About a dozen venues have been picked, each with a Swan Valley feature dish incorporating fresh, dried, preserved or pickled locally sourced products and are

likely to change with what’s available and in season.

Paddock-to-plate and vineyard-tobottle dining are experiences that are unique and one of the attractions of a wine and agricultural region such as the Valley. Featured venues on Taste the Swan Valley also have beverage options that are produced in the Swan Valley to complement the food.

At Taylor’s in the Valley, owners Claudia, Matthew and their team are passionate about serving fresh, organic food and quality coffee in a uniquely Australian setting. Outside under Australian gums in a rustic garden or tucked away inside in a unique little homestead is a favourite spot for many to enjoy a hearty brunch.

The menu changes with what’s available in the garden, so there are always new dishes to enjoy.

Try lemon myrtle-marinated mushrooms, confit garlic hummus, grain toast, shaved Pecorino, Egyptian dukkah, with free-range poached eggs – available gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan.

For the best scones in the Valley seven days a week, you can’t go past Cottage Tea Rooms with traditional high teas, signature almond frangipane tart, and home-style light lunches using fresh local produce in a delightfully renovated 1950s-style cottage.

Mondo Nougat is obviously best known for nougat but also has a delectable range of house-made gelato, biscotti and sweets including the family’s famous nougat cheesecake, and a decadent rum baba made with locally produced Canefire Rum from the Great Northern Distillery. The rum baba with hazelnut gelato is Mondo’s Taste the Swan Valley feature dish.

Stuart hopes visitors to the Valley will use Taste the Swan Valley as a planning tool for repeated visits, for many occasions.

“Lunch with the girls, a family breakfast or a special dinner - all is on offer in the Valley,” he says.

Dine on delicious local food and awardwinning wines overlooking the Swan River from the relaxed atmosphere of the

RiverBank Estate Winery Restaurant.

Chef Marco Anglitti specialises in Mediterranean/Italian cuisine and menus change regularly to incorporate the best of seasonal, Swan Valley and local organically grown produce.

The seafood platter has been a popular addition to enjoy under the vines or on the lawn, as has the Sunday rustic feast on the lawn. There are also more casual “street food Sundays” that appeal to families.

Marco’s feature Swan Valley dish is burrata with fresh, in-season local produce, such as pickled roasted grapes, figs from RiverBank’s property, tomatoes, peaches, and pumpkin.

Having taste-tested his way through the Valley to help develop the trail, Stuart has many highlights but one stands out.

“Definitely Old Young’s Kitchen. Rohan (Park) has nailed the brief and is cooking some really top-notch food.”

Old Young’s Kitchen is featuring scallop crudo with fermented loquat, bois boudran, kefir, and native lemongrass, pictured above.

No matter what time of day you visit the

MUST-DOs Taylor’s in the Valley (top), Mondo Nougat’s Rum Baba (bottom left), and Old Young’s Kitchen (bottom right). Enjoy the highlights of the Valley on the Taste Trail.

Swan Valley, you are sure to find something delicious with the assistance of the Taste the Swan Valley Trail. Find out about all of the restaurants on the trail at swanvalley.com.au/trails.