I recommend this...

Elmar's In The Valley

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

Perth's Swan Valley is only 20 minutes from the CBD yet offers a plethora of fine wineries, micro-breweries, cheese and chocolate factories and, of course, restaurants. And don't we just love it when a few of these attractions are combined, resulting in a venue fit for the whole family. Elmar's in the Valley is a German-themed brewery, restaurant, bar and smallgoods shop boasting the largest micro glass brewery in the southern hemisphere. With an open plan, wooden interior, plenty of German memorabilia and a huge two-acre outdoor beer garden, the venue is known for hosting fantastic events such as the annual Spring in the Valley and Oktoberfest.

Food-wise, the restaurant's daily changing menu offers delicious, traditional German fare with the best sausage and sauerkraut this side of Europe. Choose from delightful starters such as their home-made cognac pate, grilled bratwurst with sauerkraut and mash or great salads with chunks of fresh hams and cheeses. Of course, a traditional German meal wouldn't be worth eating if it didn't include some sort of pork, cheese or potato, so it's worth stating that the mains menu at Elmar's is one of the most traditional I've ever seen. It's a pig-lovers delight with dishes like the kassler (smoked pork chop), schweinshaxe (roasted pork shank), pork schnitzel, pork sausages, barbecue pork ribs… you get the idea. With an impressive glass-enclosed brewery forming a large part of Elmar's, it goes without saying these pork dishes go down an absolute treat with a stein or two. If you find yourself falling in love with Elmar's home-made sausages and larger-than-life stein glasses, you can always take home a few samples from their smallgoods and gift shop section. Or, you can just make a pledge to yourself that you will visit again very soon!

Karen Bilsby, September 2008