The Growers Shoalhaven

Overview

There's plenty to love about Shoalhaven: white sand beaches, primo snorkelling spots and a plethora of picturesque holiday homes. Next time you're road tripping through the area, you can refuel between swims and hikes at The Growers in Worrigee. Sprawling across 450 indoor and outdoor seats, the new restaurant and bar opened is from the team behind Acre Artarmon, The Greens and Taffy's, Tully Heard Consulting, so you can safely assume it's going to be lush.

In the kitchen, chef Patrick Haney is plating up produce from the surround areas, including Batemans Bay oysters, Milton Beef and smoked goods from Eden Smokehouse. The kitchen does its own smoking, too, with woodfired pizzas coming topped with smoky chicken ($24) and a dedicated Smokehouse turning out the likes of pulled pork empanadas ($14), prawn tacos ($16) and chipotle chicken wings ($18). There are also plenty of options for those with dietaries, thanks to vegan cheese, gluten free pizza bases and vego cauliflower burgers ($23). Like the food, the drinks also have a local focus with cocktails starring spirits from Distillery Botanica, beers on offer from Jervis Bay Brewing Co and Bentspoke and a lineup of NSW wines.

You can choose to eat and drink inside the restaurant or in the expansive outdoor garden, which is filled with plant-covered pergolas, a fire pit and play areas for children. While each space is unique, it has all been designed by Pony Design Co using plenty of natural timber, greenery and textured stones.