Varias Restaurant and Function Center
372 reviews
#1 of 28 Restaurants in Stanthorpe$$ - $$$, International, Australian, Vegetarian friendly+61 7 4685 5050+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Tue
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Wed
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Thu
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Fri
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sat
10:00 am - 8:00 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
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Australian, International, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
“The duck leg main and carrot and almond torte were beautifully prepared.”
“We had the sweet potato and pumpkin soup with a touch of curry and it was bea...”
“... before our meal but chose the duck snd pumpkin ravioli for our meals with...”
“I had some delicious food (wow to the cauliflower soup!), and an enjoyable ev...”
Does this restaurant allow dogs or considered pet friendly?
Details
About
The Queensland College of Wine Tourism is a joint venture between the University of Southern Queensland and the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training. It opened in April 2007. A state-of-the-art $8.5 million education and training facility for the Queensland wine tourism industry, the College is located on the campus of Stanthorpe State High School and provides specialist education and training facilities for the wine tourism industry. In partnership with University of Southern Queensland, Stanthorpe State High School and 47 other Gateway Schools, the College provides training from secondary to tertiary levels in viticulture, oenology, tourism, hospitality and business. The education and training programs are developed in partnership with the wine tourism industry. The College incorporates the Award Winning Varias Restaurant, Conference and Function Centre.
PRICE RANGE
$12.00 – $40.00
CUISINES
International, Australian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Dog Friendly, Gift Cards Available
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4.5
372 reviews
Excellent
263
Very good
88
Average
16
Poor
5
Terrible
0
Peter B
Brisbane31 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
A friend and I rode out to Stanthorpe today and decided to try for a table at Varias. Due to the tourism downturn, we had no trouble getting in, with quite a few tables available. I ordered the Smoked Goose Sausages and my friend ordered the sirloin. The sausages were delicious and the accompaniments were just right. My friend rated his sirloin as the best steak he has had, and it certainly looked wonderful. His serving was quite large, so he struggled to finish it, but you can't complain about being short-changed. I tried the sparkling Marsanne and he tried the sparkling Merlot. Both were on the sweeter side, but still very drinkable. These wines are made on the premises, so it's worth trying out the work of the students. Service was excellent and the coffee was quite good. Not a cheap lunch when out on a motorcycle ride, but a delicious one. We have been there before and will definitely go there again. It has always been worth the trip.
Written 15 March 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.
Yorkie_Traveller
Brisbane2649 contributions
Oct 2020 • couples
We booked in here for lunch, we were able to book an outdoor table where we could have our dog with us, we actually preferred the seating at the rear to the inside as it was a little more peaceful out there.
Food was excellent, especially the lamb and the cheesecake. Service was good. Will return on a return to the area.
Written 13 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.
twyfordjones
Mooloolaba248 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
We booked well in advance to secure a lunch booking on Saturday. Missed the white linen tablecloths and napkins re Covid. The staff were just lovely, very helpfull and professional. The four of us had the tasting plate with matching wines - 4 courses with 4 wines. Perfect for lunch for four mature ladies. Lovingly presented, perfectly cooked plate that included quail, slowcooked lamb shoulder. A great restaurant meal. The atmosphere was relaxing with refreshing decor.
Written 21 August 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.
Claude G
Brisbane133 contributions
Aug 2020 • couples
We have visited this restaurant over many years and always been served an outstanding meal. This visit was a little hit and miss but the Mallow Lamb was at its best in the lamb terrine - suggest confit or baking the tomatoes though - you’d still have the acidity the dish needs but wouldn’t wash out the wonderful sauce the par cooked tomato does. The sand crab arancini were very good as always and the highlight dish was the pear poached in verjuice. Perfectly balanced dish, the tangy verjuice against the sweetness of the walnut praline and ice cream - inspired dish. Will be back next year.
Written 1 August 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.
MarjofromBrissie
Brisbane919 contributions
July 2020 • none
We visited for lunch. Booking was easy and they had social distancing in place. I had a large entree serving of lamb terrine which was very nice and DH had the salmon and squid which he enjoyed. We were very disappointed with the caramel popcorn pannacotta. The presentation was impressive but pannacotta itself was way too over-set which made the dessert very "heavy".
Written 17 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.
Teddy R
Brisbane104 contributions
Aug 2020 • friends
Pretty good, tasty food. Steak was a little tough but I think the meat let them down, instead of the cooking.
The decor isn’t very nice, it’s cold and plain and the tables are strange cheap outdoorsy ones. I’m told that this place ha been architecturally designed however.
Spring rolls are beautiful.
Written 9 August 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.
Helen8752
Gold Coast21 contributions
Feb 2022 • none
We had dinner there Saturday night and enjoyed the food and ambience very much. However this is a restaurant attached to the College for wine tourism, so you would imagine an important function would be to train young staff. We had very friendly girls to serve us but they couldn't explain items on the menu, eg Chimichurri, didn't know where the wines on the menu came from (one turned out to be produced in the college's own vineyard) and didn't know the placing for a soup spoon when I ordered soup. No problem in a cafe but this suggests to me that there is a lack of teaching and supervision of the trainees which is sad.
Written 28 February 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.
Nwhinnett
Brisbane3 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
We booked in for dinner for 2ppl around Mid-October and were taken to our table. We preferred a window seat and the staff were more than happy to let us swap table.
The food was all perfectly cooked and hard to find a single fault. We had the lamb starter and for mains, I had the steak while my partner had the chicken.
Service during the night was a little slow however still tentative.
We really enjoyed our night and have already recommended to friends.
Written 8 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.
Ella J
Brisbane292 contributions
June 2020 • couples
Amazing birthday lunch. Excellent service, great beverage choice with locally made wines, the food was beautiful. We were nested next to the fire for our lunch, a large warm space great for an intimate date, large social group or a family meal. We ordered crab and chilli Arancini balls (the chilli wasn’t strong at all, so good for non spiced eaters), steak and pork. The steak and pork were absolute heaven, I licked the plate clean. Given COVID-19, I would highly recommend poking in advance to avoid disappointment.
Written 10 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.
Jeni_le_Wren
74 contributions
July 2023 • friends
My friend and I decided to order the gourmet hamper so we could eat at our B&B. Neither of us can eat large meals so we thought we would spread it over a few meals. The food was in a foam box to keep cool. A young man kindly carried it out to the car. The food was fresh, however, the Caesar Salad was stored as individual ingredients, that is, cos lettuce in one container, bacon bits in another, mayonnaise in another which made it difficult to assemble as we did not have a bowl or cutting knife. As I am lactose intolerant and my friend is not, I had asked for the cheese on the side so maybe there was a misunderstanding. Be as it may, we ended up eating the separate ingredients unmixed. The bacon bits were found after we had eaten the other ingredients. The pork pie was very nice (a little salty to my taste) as was the cold platter. A delicious orange almond cake (gluten and dairy-free) was included as well as brownies for lactose-intolerant me. The strawberries were lovely and sweet. It cost $90 for the hamper but I felt the offering was average. The service was very good with them going out of their way in regard to the lactose issue. I just don't think it was very gourmet, especially with the unassembled Caesar salad and I would not order it again.
Written 21 July 2023
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.
AmyJane
Brisbane47 contributions
May 2021 • couples
WOW - the food here is so balanced and beautifully prepared. I had the beef cheeks entree followed by the beef steak with beetroot purée which melted in my mouth. As much as I would have loved some desert - I just couldn’t fit this in after two courses and some wine from the local winery. The staff were extremely professional and the room was very cosy with the fire on in the centre. Would definitely recommend for a family evening meal or romantic couples evening.
Written 29 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.
DonnaH939
Brisbane303 contributions
July 2020 • none
A lunch for two, both of us very impressed. QCWT offers an award winning architecturally designed facility, walking through an informative display as we take our seats. Entrees of Crispy fried Quail with roasted root veg & a 5hr slow cooked Lamb shoulder with minted pea puree & roasted vine tomato - absolutely delicious. Mains of Porky Pig & sous vide Sirloin were also fabulous. Shared desert of Panna Cotta, popcorn & salted caramel. A glass of white, A glass of red - both beautiful & local....wow. Highly recommended!
Written 4 August 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.
RaeGarvie
Brisbane179 contributions
June 2020 • couples
We had a lovely lunch at Varias - we both had the tasting menu for $50. The quantity was perfect for lunch.
#1 Warm roast baby carrots with halloumi and puy lentils on a salad , #2 crispy quail on a root vegetable salad , #3 a very yummy slow cooked lamb shoulder and marrow terrine on minted pea purée with a red wine jus.
The wines complimented the food very well.
Oh .. dessert was a caramel popcorn panacotta - unfortunately that was too nice and I ate it all !
Definitely recommend if you are in the area
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.
rmgar
Surfers Paradise89 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
We had a very enjoyable lunch in august at Varias which is part of the qcwt training college in Stanthorpe.The restaurant is dog friendly on the outdoor balcony. The food and service was very good and the staff excellent and friendly. The restaurant presents itself well considering all the Covid rules it has to comply with. Well done !
We can give Varias a good recomendation. Thankyou - (woof,woof).
Written 11 September 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.
Gaibrielle S
2 contributions
Mar 2021 • none
There was only one option that was vegan friendly, and it was simply 'ok'. It was the stuffed eggplant.
Not at all worth the $33 price tag.
We were hoping for a *great* meal as it was for our 10th wedding anniversary, but we were disappointed.
It's really not hard to make whole plant-based food taste amazing. It's a shame they're letting down what many others consider a tasty menu.
Written 14 March 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.
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