From sunrise coffee and brunch to refined evening dining welcome to ACACIA Dining
Photography: Megann Evan
If you’ve been to ACACIA Dining in Maitland, you’ll know it’s the kind of venue that just gets it right - thoughtful dishes, beautiful produce, and a whole lot of heart thanks to owner and MasterChef alum, Reece Hignell.
Reece Hignell
Reece, however, is not one to sit still for too long, and now, 12 months on, Reece has levelled things up with a brand-new night-time offering.
ACACIA by Night brings a refined, modern edge with the focus being to spotlight seasonal produce and local suppliers in a way that feels elevated yet approachable, as Reece explains,
“Our goal was to create an evening offering that brings people together over food that’s vibrant, seasonal, and unmistakably Maitland, and surrounds.”
“This new chapter is about giving Maitland a dining experience that feels special but still deeply connected to the community.”
By day, it’s still all about the decadent breakfasts (hello, Rhubarb Custard French Toast) and long lunch favourites like the Prawn Katsu Sando.
But come evening, the lights dim, the wine list opens, and the restaurant shifts gears into something a little more refined, while keeping that approachable ACACIA feel.
The new dinner menu is packed with dishes designed for sharing and savouring — think Garlic Prawn Linguini with a hit of chilli and lemon, a Slow-Roasted Lamb Shoulder that’s all melt-in-your-mouth goodness with tahini yoghurt and mint chimichurri, and to finish, the ultimate indulgence: Chocolate Burnt Basque Cheesecake paired with orancello.
Of course, food this good deserves the right pour alongside it, so the drinks list leans into Hunter Valley favourites.
Expect names like Usher Tinkler, Vinden, and Hungerford Hill, along with other local gems, all carefully matched to complement the richness and vibrancy of the menu.
At its core, ACACIA’s evening service is still rooted in what the restaurant has always done best, celebrating the region and its people,
“It’s important to me that our menus not only taste incredible but also showcase the producers who make this community so unique,” Reece added. “Our new night-time experience is built on those same values — honest, modern dining underpinned by strong local ties.”
From Alderley Creek Eggs and Lady Blackbird Bakery to fresh produce from Earth Market Maitland and meats from Lorn Butchery, every dish tells a story of the Hunter’s producers.
Reece sums it up best: this new chapter is about giving Maitland a dining experience that feels special, without losing its sense of place.
ACACIA Dining is now open seven days a week — breakfast, lunch, and now dinner.
