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Hours
Sun
11:30 am - 3:30 pm
Wed
11:30 am - 3:30 pm6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Thu
11:30 am - 3:30 pm6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Fri
11:30 am - 3:30 pm6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sat
11:30 am - 3:30 pm6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
Travellers' Choice Best of the Best 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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PRICE RANGE
$45.00 – $124.00
CUISINES
Australian
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
features
Does this restaurant offer highchairs for toddlers?
Details
About
The Gates Restaurant sits among the spectacular grounds of Leogate Estate. Taking pride in serving you modern Australian cuisine and to compliment your meal, we will be proud to serve you our beautiful Leogate Estate award winning wines. Here at The Gates Restaurant we showcase our 6 week Dry Aged beef from our local region.
PRICE RANGE
$45.00 – $124.00
CUISINES
Australian
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Non-smoking restaurants, Gift Cards Available
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4.5
798 reviews
Excellent
638
Very good
84
Average
39
Poor
19
Terrible
18
westy54
Sydney13544 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
Restaurant is located within the Leogate winery where there is plenty of free parking. The dining area was very fresh and stylish and looked out onto the surrounding grounds.
There was a choice of a two ($70) or three course ($85) a la carte menu or a five ($95) or seven ($115) course degustation. The a la carte menu had a choice from six entrees, four main courses plus a selection of different sized and cuts of steak, and four desserts plus cheese.
We opted for the two course a la carte which started with a complimentary amuse bouche. As entrees we had the ocean trout and roasted confit pork belly with seared scallops and cauliflower. Both of these dishes were very tasty. As mains we could not go past the steaks and we both had the 250 gram eye fillet which was cooked exactly as requested. The steaks came with very morish fat cut chips that tasted as though they had been twice or thrice cooked. Separately we order a green leaf salad with pear and walnuts ($10).
Wine list was extensive and included a good selection of Leogate wines. We ordered a bottle of Pinot Noir for $55.
Service overall was good. Very efficient but somewhat stilted, almost formal.
Would absolutely dine here again when in the Valley.
Written 25 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellie Baldwin
Hi westy54,
Thank you so much for taking the time to review your experience at The Gates Restaurant. I am so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your meal and the extensive wine list that we offer. We look forward to welcoming you back next time you are in the Hunter Valley!
Warm regards,
Ellie
Written 1 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Claire C
Sydney19 contributions
July 2020 • friends
My friend and I decided to do the 7 course degustation menu and it honestly was the highlight of the trip. From the 1st course to the 7th our palettes were zinging with flavour and excited by the techniques and finesse of each dish. If we had to pick one dish that stood out, it would've been the dessert!!! It was nothing we've ever tasted before and the concept of mousse was elevated by the jelly, mini meringues, and liquorice crumb. The staff in the kitchen as well as our waitors/waitresses were full of knowledge and passion for the restaurant and overall enhanced our experience.
Do yourself a favor and come and visit the fine dining and finesse of this restaurant.
Written 22 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Loulabelleb88
St. Albans33 contributions
July 2020 • none
Me and my partner went here for dinner yesterday and was really looking to it, the starters was amazing. Taste and presentation perfect. Unfortunately they didn’t have anymore of the steak we wanted, so we got 2 x scotch fillets, I personally didn’t enjoy mine very much, it had a real burnt/charcoal taste to it. This might just be a personal preference thing but thought I should mention it, so you know what to expect. Side note, the truffle mash was the best my partner has had he said and the chips was insanely good 👍🏻 The staff, service and restaurant was lovely, was a nice experience overall, just slightly let down by our steaks. Think we would potentially go back and try again.
Written 26 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Loumc80
Sydney45 contributions
May 2021 • couples
At first I was told they couldn’t accommodate dietary requirements even though it says online and on the menu they will. After some discussion we were able to agree on adaptions for me for the 7 course degustation (without my husband having to eat the same even though he doesn’t need adaptions - and in reality the adaptions were very small). We were told that there might be some delay due to this which we were happy to live with but the longest wait was for food that didn’t need cooking (close to 30 mins).
The wine was amazing, the food was ok (we’ve had better).
The bill came out for 1 person and we had to ask them to charge for the two of us. We were given a free glass of wine at the end which I think was meant as some form of amendment (which was appreciated).
We went to the cellar door afterwards as we wanted to purchase many of the matching wines we’d tasted and ended up with a free bottle of wine after purchasing 8 bottles.
If you eat at the restaurant, you get free transport within 25km. We didn’t know this but was great when we’d waited 40 mins for a cab with no sign so took advantage of this great service.
Written 20 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nerida B
Wollongong126 contributions
Oct 2020 • couples
What a way to end a fabulous day. The Gates offer a pick up and drop off Courtesy Bus which allows every diner the opportunity to enjoy the fabulous food with delicious wines.
The venue is breathtaking and has a wonderful ambiance. All staff were knowledgeable about the food and wine and were very friendly.
Food was just fantastic, a number of options from 2 or 3 courses or the option to do a 5 or 7 course degustation with matching wines.
Recommendations were the Oysters, the Wagyu Tartare. Share the Ribeye on the Bone and top it off with the Caramel Bomba Alaska.
We will definitely return to try more on the menu.
Great for couples or groups. A lovely experience
Written 4 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Berenbell Viney... W
29 contributions
July 2020 • none
Having dined at The Gates Restaurant many times without being able to fault the service, the food and the courtesy of the staff, we believe it is time that this restaurant is accorded the recognition it deserves - A Chef's Hat.
John, Adam and the team are nothing short of first class deliverers of food and service.
Well done. Keep it up. You deserve the accolades.
Written 29 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dean B
2 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
A great experience for a perfect day. This restaurant was organised through Aerologistics who had taken us for a scenic flight and taken here to be met with champagne by the most perfect host John. The outlook, the venue and service along with the food cooked to perfection and helped down by fine wine. John could not have been a more perfect host, his service and attention to detail were second to none. With his help my marriage proposal went even more smoothly, with roses and the ring being delivered to our table by John who had organised everything on my behalf. I could not praise John enough or recommend the location and restaurant. Thank you
Written 24 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bavey
Sydney277 contributions
June 2020 • none
We booked one of the sittings that included a lift to/from the restaurant- a serious bit of service & worth ~$40 each way compared to a cab which enabled an investment in an excellent bottle of wine. The menu is good & the food was cooked spot on. Service was very good too. The conservatory seating lacked in atmosphere (but would be great for lunch), indoors much cosier.
Written 14 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FoodPassion
Newcastle166 contributions
Apr 2021 • none
Absolutely gorgeous setting with breathtaking views.
We were a group of 8 which included 3 children.
Service was very attentive, perhaps just a tad too much regarding drinks as we are more into dining experiences and one drink each is enough but still on point.
Each course was absolutely stunning and delicious...could not fault a single dish.
For me,the stand out was the Bombe Alaska which was superbly presented & pure divinity.
Children’s meals were fabulous...maybe a teeny bit on the expensive side but of excellent quality.
We will return, perhaps in the daylight when we can truly appreciate the outstanding scenery of The Gates property.
Written 14 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellie
Hi FoodPassion,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a great review. We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your dining experience here at The Gates Restaurant. The Caramel Bombe Alaska is one of our signature dishes and is definitely a crowd favourite. We are looking forward to welcoming you back again soon!
Warm regards,
Ellie
Written 20 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Madeline B
Australia23 contributions
Jan 2021 • family
My mother and I attended at lunch time today (Saturday 9th January) and we both had the 7 course degustation. We started with a glass of the Blanc de Blanc each which was beautiful. We shared a bottle of the Gatecrasher Pinot noir with our degustation and it was absolutely delicious. The food was simply stunning with full credits to the chefs. In particular the confit duck and the dry aged steak were to die for. We could not fault our service. Dominic I believe it was was really lovely and seated us and attended to our needs before we were taken over by John who had loads of experience and knowledge about the wines on the list and dishes that were being served. Great team of staff and a beautiful setting for lunch. We will definitely be back in the future 🦪✌🏻🍾
Written 8 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellie Baldwin
Madeline, thank you so much for taking the time to write such a lovely review! I am so pleased to hear that you had an amazing fine dining experience. The Gates Restaurant definitely is a spectacular spot to indulge in a delicious meal and complimenting wines. Our chefs will be delighted to know that you enjoyed your 7 course degustation. I will be sure to pass your lovely comments on to Dominic and John regarding their friendly, knowledgeable service. Thanks again for your lovely review and I look forward to welcoming you back in the future!
Warmest regards,
Ellie
Written 1 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AMN
1 contribution
June 2021 • couples
After searching for our favourite local restaurant it's absolutely unanimous The Gates wins hands down. As long time locals of Pokolbin we are always blown away by the hospitality and quality of food and service.We have recommended The Gates to our friend and many guests who have all loved their experience. They are simply the best. The Gates is our go to restaurant for a beautiful dining experience.
Written 26 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GREATPICTURES
Sydney125 contributions
Mar 2022 • none
The atmosphere was really good and the food was excellent. I could not fault the food we had. The pork belly was to die for and would love to see this available as a main as well. The steak was also cooked perfectly and had a wonderful flavour. Then the side of the pumpkin was just amazing and the chocolate fondants we had for dessert were also spot on. The lady who served us could have been a little bit more knowledgeable about the portions provided on the dishes and I also think it would be a very good idea if you let all the wait staff actually taste each dish. Surely an establishment like yours could afford to do this. That way the staff can better answer questions and can give some real recommendations on the dishes so the customer can make a better decision. You want your wait staff to be able to say, "yes the pumpkin is served like so and has this certain flavour with a sticky jus etc..with fetta etc etc" that way the customer knows the wait staff have good knowledge and they can be enthusiastic about the dishes. This is the mark of an exceptional restaurant. Please bear this in mind. The only other slight criticism I would have is that a better eye should be kept on all tables to see if anyone needs something as we would have liked more water but had to wait until we could find someone to signal. All that said, I will be returning here because the food was outstanding. The little extras with a complimentary canape and drink was a nice touch.
Written 1 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adam and Katrina
10 contributions
May 2022 • none
Great reviews from our friends, so thought that we would try it out during our May trip to the Valley. The ambience was intermit as you walk in through the open fire and fine dining environment, however we got ushered to the enclosed patio, which was loud and cold for an evening dinner. We asked to move in side and we told that that area is reserved for later sittings,. however we could sit outside if we want.....WTF. Donna was great. We ordered the 5 course degustation menu. The Kingfish was over cooked. The glazed pork had no crackling. At this point we were starting to worry. The front of house manager was cold and unwelcoming and uninterested in making dinner an experience. Then came the Duck Two Ways, fantastic, followed by Nolans Sirloin, awesome (other than the chips were over cooked). The pallet cleanser was brilliant and the White Chocolate and Coconut Mouse was the stand out. The night got off to a very poor start but finished well. Thanks Donna and the bus driver.......
Written 28 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Salesarchitect
Alexandra Headland848 contributions
June 2020 • solo
I booked in for a sat night and it was very solidly booked. The setting and the atmosphere was great and it looks impressive on entry with a great view over the ranges.
I really loved the food there was some amazing flavours and each dish was delicious. I had the degustation, my favourite was the duck on the ham hock cassoulet, I can still taste this dish it was that good.
The dry aged steak was superb and the zucchini flowers were also standouts.
The dessert was amazing too the white chocolate and coconut was the perfect finish.
My waitress was excellent and friendly and couldn’t fault the service.
I got the wine pairing with each course, I’m a bit of a wine snob I guess, I only felt 3 of the wines matched the foods and felt that they tried to matchy the closest wine from the wineries range to the dish. The pairings that did work however, were spot on amazing!
Written 23 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucinda E
3 contributions
Apr 2022 • couples
We came for a nice romantic dinner on the first night of our stay in the hunter valley but found didn’t live our experience, they forgot our bread and welcome drink until after we had our entree then our scallops were undercooked, we need mentioned this to our waitress and she said she would pass it on to the chef. Our main meals were also underwhelming and didn’t meet expectations. We then waited 20 mins for our dessert and we’re the second last people left in the restaurant for the night. Overall for an expensive meal the service and food was unfortunately subpar.
Written 19 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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