A locally inspired, and seasonally fresh winter menu lands at Gather Hunter Valley
Established in 2025, the Hunter Valley dining destination brings together the very best of Australian produce in a space designed for connection, flavour, and ease.
Introducing Gather, at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley.
Offering a relaxed steakhouse experience built around premium cuts, seasonal sides, and fresh local ingredients, Gather has been crafted for the best of everyday dining.
Gather combines the approachability and warmth of casual dining, with the quality and experience of fine dining. Guests can enjoy honest food, great wine, and conversation that lingers as long as the evening does.
Seasonal winter menu
Local and seasonal produce are central to the philosophy of Gather. As the menu changes with the cooler weather, the restaurant showcases the region's seasonal best, from oils, herbs, cheeses, and wines.
Chef Ran Kimelfeld leads the culinary team with creativity and confidence, working closely with the abundance of the Hunter Valley as the season shifts.
As summer greens and stone fruits give way to root vegetables, apples, and winter berries, Chef Kimelfeld and the team craft menus that celebrate the region’s changing harvest.
Think slower, richer cooking techniques, resulting in heartier cosy dishes for those long cool evenings.
The menu celebrates Australian beef growers and producers, with flame-grilled cuts taking centre stage.
Diners can choose between the 250g grass-fed Angus rump from the Gulf of Carpentaria, a tender 150 Pinnacle tenderloin from southern NSW, or the indulgent 300g 1824 wagyu scotch fillet from central Queensland.
For those who love variety, the Butcher Board is designed for sharing and features a trio of the restaurant’s standout cuts, paired with your choice of two sauces and two sides, such as double cooked hand cut fries, buttermilk mash, or charred broccolini.
Beyond the grill, Gather’s winter menu offers plenty of surprises. House-baked focaccia served with local olive oil and caramelised apple balsamic is a snack worth lingering over, while the salt baked beetroot with smoked sheep labneh and hazelnut crumb adds a playful and moreish touch.
Seafood lovers will be drawn to dishes like the cured Australian ocean trout served with white soy yuzu dressing, or the Spaghetti alle Vongole with clams, crab, capers, and lemon.
For something a little lighter but still full of flavour, the oxtail croquettes with saltbush pesto and raisin caper puree is a showcase of comforting slow cooking.
Those with a sweet tooth have not been forgotten, with standout winter offerings like the warming apple brandy cake that balances sweetness and spice, and a trio of cheeses with accompaniments that showcase Hunter Region dairy.
Now, no steakhouse experience is complete without a wine list, and Gather leans heavily into its Hunter Valley location. 100% of their wine list is procured from the region, reflecting a genuine love for all Hunter Valley sips from both celebrated and emerging labels.
The 15-page menu includes a seasonal showcase of wines, reserve selections from the cellar, as well as signature and classic cocktails.
Whether it’s a bold shiraz to complement your steak or a crisp sémillon to pair with seafood, Gather’s wine offering has been curated to complement the menu while telling the story of the region.
For those looking to elevate their dining occasion, Gather also offers a private dining experience that feels both exclusive and welcoming.
Tucked beside the main dining room, Gather North provides an intimate setting with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the pergola and Merlot Lawn.
The soft natural light during the day gives way to an ambient evening atmosphere, while dark sheers ensure the space remains entirely yours. Perfect for milestone birthdays, family dinners, or any excuse to indulge.
On the other side, Gather West opens onto sweeping views of the Brokenback Range, pairing its high ceilings and west-facing windows with a relaxed sense of grandeur.
Here, long lunches stretch into golden afternoons and dinners unfold beneath dusky skies, making it a picturesque backdrop for group events and team gatherings.
With attentive service, and spaces built for privacy, one's that invite conversation to flow as easily as the wine, Gather’s private dining rooms offer an experience to be remembered.
Gather isn’t only an evening destination. By morning, it transforms into a vibrant breakfast space, inviting both resort guests and locals to start their day with flavour and freshness.
From pastries and seasonal fruit to chef-prepared eggs and the chance to flip your own pancakes, breakfast at Gather is designed to be as nourishing as it is fun.
Whether you’re after a casual midweek dinner, a shared feast with friends, or a leisurely breakfast with family, Gather invites locals and visitors to come together over good food and good company.
