Hardy's Verandah

My wife and I attended on the final day of our honeymoon and this was a solid 9.5/10 experience. Whilst on the pricier side, the view, service and food made it all worth it. We spoke with 5 different persons between server, sommelier and managers, all of which were incredibly kind and knowledgeable. It is not often restaurants of this caliber are able to offer a degustation that can cater to two separate dietaries for the same table and the Bluefin Tuna Chutoro was one of the best bites of food I think i've ever experienced. To cap it all off, we got to see a small glimpse of the Aurora atop the clouds. Highly recommend to anyone with a love for food & wine for a special occasion.

We had the seven-course dining experience at Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant and it was truly exceptional. We had requested halal meals in advance, and everything was prepared and served accordingly, which we really appreciated. The staff were incredibly polite and attentive , each dish was beautifully presented, and the waiters took the time to explain every course in detail. The atmosphere was elegant, and the overall experience was both luxurious and memorable.

Never in my life have I been more impressed by a high tea. I like high tea. I've had a lot of them. But Hardy's Verandah takes the prize. We arrived a bit early and went for a walk around the house. The views of the Adelaide Hills were pretty remarkable. When we eventually went inside, we were completely taken aback. The interiors were beautiful. Thoughtful, warm and elegant. Even the toilets were luxurious. When our host showed us to our table, the view was so good I nearly fell over. It was a real "wow" moment. When the food arrived, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a token effort. The standard was high, everything was well executed, the flavours were interesting, and there was a lot more food than it looked like at first. We’d gone in expecting a light lunch. It wasn’t, and that was a pleasant surprise. Standouts included the coronation chicken sandwich, a cheese doughnut with a surprisingly good flavour combination, and scones that were the best I’ve ever had. No fuss. Just excellent baking. We were celebrating a birthday and the staff brought out a complimentary brownie with a message. A small gesture, but thoughtful and well-timed. The service throughout was attentive without being over the top. The whole experience felt considered and well put together. If you're heading to the Adelaide Hills, go to Hardy’s. Their high tea is worth it. Thanks for a very memorable day. ♥

Everything was perfect. The entire building is just beautiful and full of charm. The view from our table was stunning and the service during the 4hours diner experience was just perfect. Staff super friendly and professional. Food was fabulous from the beginning to the end, they even manage to modify the menu for one of us as we forgot to mention it when we booked. Thank you for this beautiful moment.

No signage on main entrance which made it difficult to find. Just having a sign with each of the establishments within would be super helpful to new patrons. Walk up the stairs, the door will be closed but its unlocked so you just walk in and its at end of the hall on the right. We booked the high tea which was exceptional. They don't have a coffee menu but can make most standard orders. They didn't have hazelnut syrup available for cappuccinos though. The staff were friendly but I would have liked a bit more table service for drink refills etc. Sometimes it takes a while for things to come out or to get someone's attention. Cannot say a bad thing about the selection of food on the high tea. Everything was amazing. Probably the best high tea I've been to. They did not miss. The Scones were soft but not too crumbly, powdered but not messy and had a crisp glazing. Clotted cream was lightly seasoned too. Perfection really. The sandwiches were light refreshing and flavorful. Big fan of the bacon egg with wasabi mayo. I'm not the biggest enjoyer of seafood but the salmon Blini was also delicious. A flavor palette to suit and satiate anyone I feel. The second time we went there were more seafood options but I enjoyed them all. Monto rosso donut was interesting and tasty. I dislike celery but it meshed really well with the flavor. All the sweets were wonderful. The Madeline and frosting was delicious cakey and light. The Cherry bakewell tart had marinated Cherries and the flavor was definitely alcoholic strong but was really complimented by the pastry and creaminess. Mini pav was light and soft. Choux pastry was the perfect texture. We only had 2 other tables aside from us so you get a lot of privacy and an absolutely stunning view. I love the elegant cottage feel to the decor and the chairs were very comfortable. They have Bag stools you can put your handbag on and offer to hang up your coats. If youre celebrating something they bring you out and cute brownie with a note. I was too full to finish it but it was lovely. I was congratulated by patrons and staff members alike so I felt very special.

This restaurant is overrated. The food itself tastes ok, but for the price you’re paying, you’d expect more like some kind of “wow” factor — which just isn’t there. Everything felt very average. What really stood out, though, was how surprisingly small the portions were. For example, the beef dish only had about two bites’ worth of meat. I even added two side dishes. I bet even you go through all seven courses you still hungry. Each course was basically just few bites. Another point that really affected the dining experience was the service. While we were still talking to one server about the dishes, another interrupted us ask if he can clear our plates? It came across as unprofessional and lacking basic courtesy. But what made the experience truly unpleasant was the constant presence of body odor throughout the entire meal. It wasn’t just a moment — it lingered from the beginning to the end of the meal, which made it hard to enjoy the food. I’m not trying to be offensive or discriminatory. This is simply an honest observation. Some individuals naturally carry a stronger scent, but in a restaurant setting, especially at this price point, it’s something management should really pay attention to when staffing the front of house. Not worth a second visit.

Overall: Worthwhile experience but not worth the cost compared to what you can get fine dining wise elsewhere in Aus and overseas Just overpriced for what it is @ $275 pp I think if it was under $200pp then would be worthwhile Presentation of food 5/5 Taste: 4/5 - Seafood dishes were nice and refreshing, mains were average and desserts were my favourite and 5/5 Service: 5/5 Great service throughout the night. Attentive but not over bearing We requested a slightly faster meal service due to baby sitting (on the website they say to allow 4 hours) and they accommodated this without question Pace of the food was spot on for us and we finished 7 course menu in about 2.5 hours which is perfect for us Atmosphere: Looks out over manicured gardens. Beautiful location and the ambience in the restaurant is perfect. Nice background music but definitely completely easy to hold a conversation without struggling to hear or speak. Perfect balance Overall: Worthwhile experience but I don't think is worth the price @ $275pp

This was incredible. The kangaroo tartlet was probably the single best thing we have ever eaten. It was perfection. Every dish was beautiful. The premium wine pairing was also incredibly worthwhile. We couldn’t have asked for anything more. What a treat. Don’t hesitate to go — the Chef is extremely thoughtful in his combinations of flavours and textures. Perfection. Cannot wait to go back.