Organic Produce and baker delights
If you’re looking for a one stop shop where you can buy supplies but also fill up on delicious, wholesome, organic food then Organic Feast in East Maitland is a must to visit. Walking into the store, it’s hard not to be awed by its size and range, which also incorporates an inner health centre and an organic cafe.
Call it quaint, rustic or charming, the roadside stalls that you will find are a quintessential part of the country drive experience. With farms spread across Maitland’s farthest reaches, filling the vegetable crisper is easy. If you’re in Morpeth on a Saturday morning, Morpeth Sourdough is the place to go for fresh sourdough produced by seventh generation baker Mack Arnott.
Delectable sweets and patisseries
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then Maitland will not disappoint. It’s not an uncommon sight on a Saturday morning to see a queue stretching out the door at The Icky Sticky Patisserie in Lorn. A local hot spot, you’ll have to contend with the locals for the artisan, perfectly handcrafted pastries such as the glossy chocolate raspberry mousse bomb or the panna cotta, strawberry, and rosewater cream tarts.
Donarch Fine Chocolate is another sensory experience to get your taste buds watering. The ambient interior of their store in Tenambit is rich and decadent, just like their chocolate treats. Family owned and operated, the multi award winning chocolate is handmade parcels of perfection, well worth indulging in. If gelato is your treat of choice, do yourself a favour and stop off at Jubilo Gelato. Made in Maitland, with fresh local and Australian ingredients, the ever changing flavours are sure to excite, with pistachio, tiramisu, salted butter scotch and Turkish delight to name a few.
Cellar Door, craft beer and a winery
Stop off at Maitland’s one and only vineyard, Tranquil Vale. Indulge in a complimentary wine tasting of their award winning wines and sit back and enjoy the surroundings, taking it in at your own time, or have a member of the Tranquil team take you through the vines and provide you with a far more holistic and interactive wine experience. If you have a few too many here, you can stay the night in one of the cottages that have unobstructed views of the vineyard and hills beyond.
Boydell’s Cellar Door and Restaurant in Morpeth offers a truly memorable dining experience. You can expect a delectable contemporary menu that changes seasonally, that match Boydell’s award winning wines.
Cooking classes and demonstrations
For the ultimate foodie experience, try to line up your visit whilst a cooking demonstration or class is happening. The Cunning Culinarian offers culinary enhancement, with children’s cooking classes after school and during school holidays. Whilst adult cooking classes can be arranged by appointment. Morpeth Sourdough’s co-founder, Stephen Arnott also runs a class that teaches you how to mix, shape, and bake your own sourdough bread in a totally hands on experience.
