From Farm to Fire: Discover the Heart of Local Flavour in Kiama

There’s something so comforting about gathering around a table to share a meal crafted from fresh, local ingredients. In Kiama, the journey from paddock to plate is as much about connection as it is about flavour. It’s a chance to meet the makers, taste the seasons, and experience the slow food movement that thrives along the South Coast. Here’s your guide to some of the best local dining experiences this winter, from the farm gate to the final, beautifully plated dish.

Start at the Source
Buena Vista Farm
If you’re the kind of foodie who loves to get their hands dirty, Buena Vista Farm in Gerringong should be your first stop. This 18-acre, sixth-generation family farm is all about traditional food skills, with hands-on workshops that cover everything from sourdough baking to cheese making and fermentation. It’s the perfect way to reconnect with the basics of good food, all while enjoying stunning coastal views. Meet the cows, collect the eggs, and learn how to create your own pantry staples from scratch – it doesn’t get more local than this.

From Pasture to Plate
The Pines
For a true taste of the South Coast, head to The Pines in Kiama. This family-run dairy farm is known for its commitment to regenerative farming, producing handcrafted cheeses, creamy yoghurts, and artisan gelato using milk from pasture-raised cows. You’ll find their products at the Kiama Farmers’ Market every week, or you can visit the farm itself for a real paddock-to-plate experience. It’s a chance to see exactly where your food comes from and meet the people who pour their hearts into every batch.

Gather Fresh
Kiama Farmers’ Market
Every Wednesday, locals and visitors gather at the Kiama Farmers’ Market on Surf Beach to stock up on fresh produce, baked goods, and small-batch creations. This is the beating heart of Kiama’s food scene, where you can chat with farmers, taste their latest harvest, and fill your basket with the best the region has to offer. It’s also a great place to grab a quick bite or warm up with a hot coffee while watching the waves roll in.

Plant-Based Creativity
Fillmore’s
For a taste of Kiama’s plant-based side, check out Fillmore’s. This vegan café in the heart of town celebrates fresh, locally sourced produce with a rotating menu of inventive, plant-based dishes. It’s the perfect spot for a cosy winter brunch or a light, seasonal lunch, with a focus on creative cooking and sustainability.

Explore the Region
Foodscape Tours
For those who want to dive deeper, Foodscape Tours offers guided adventures that take you behind the scenes of the region’s best farms, wineries, and artisanal producers. Taste, sip, and chat with the passionate makers who call this region home, all while enjoying the stunning landscapes of the South Coast. It’s a chance to pull back the curtain on the local food scene and see what makes this region so special.

The Final Plate
Silica
Wrap up your journey at Silica, a modern Australian restaurant set on Kiama’s Surf Beach. Known for its commitment to local, sustainable produce, Silica’s menu is a showcase of the region’s best flavours, from freshly shucked oysters to line-caught fish and seasonal vegetables. Pair your meal with a glass of local wine and watch the waves roll in as you savour the final, delicious chapter of your farm-to-fire adventure.

Taste the Journey This Winter
Whether you’re collecting fresh produce at the market, rolling up your sleeves on the farm, or enjoying a beautifully plated meal by the sea, Kiama is the perfect place to reconnect with real food this winter.

Meg Gibson

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