On a 100-acre Lovedale property, Lovedale Smokehouse blends a casual vineyard café, a gourmet deli, and the long-running Majors Lane Cooking School. Expect small-batch smoked meats and seafood, low ’n’ slow barbecue, house charcuterie, and easy drinks — craft beer, Hunter Valley wines, coffee and softs — served with relaxed country hospitality. It’s owner-operated, artisan, and proudly local.
Why it’s worth the stop
- Smokehouse plates & platters: from hot-smoked salmon and rainbow trout pâté to bacon, ham, chicken and duck, plus cheeses, olives and house sauces. Grazing boards are a popular pick for couples and groups.
- Casual vineyard café: food-truck-style lunches with burgers, tacos, hoagies and low ’n’ slow BBQ in a family- and dog-friendly setting. Fully licensed.
- Take-home deli & pantry: stock up on smoked meats, salts, rubs, sauces and hand-selected local and Australian gourmet goods. Seasonal items include Christmas hams.
- Hands-on classes: learn Thai street food or barbecue basics at the Majors Lane Cooking School, hosted by chef-owner and pitmaster Ben Sales. Small classes, lunch and recipes included.
Plan your visit
- Location: 64 Majors Lane, Lovedale NSW 2325
- Hours (usually): Thu–Mon 10:30–15:00 (kitchen to 14:30). Bookings strongly recommended on weekends and holidays; walk-ins welcome when possible. Cooking classes typically run on weekends. Always check the latest before you go.
- Contact: (02) 4930 7832 • bookings@majorslane.com
Pair your Hunter Valley day
Start with a Lovedale tasting run, break for smoked platters and a craft beer on the lawn, then finish with a cooking class or a deli haul for sunset back at The Vintry. The relaxed setting, broad menu and on-site experiences make it a reliable option for families, mixed groups and self-caterers planning an easy, flavour-first itinerary.
Quick facts
- Venue: Lovedale Smokehouse Café & Deli + Majors Lane Cooking School
- Style: Small-batch smokehouse café; BBQ, charcuterie, burgers & tacos; fully licensed.
- Deli: Smoked salmon/trout, bacon, ham, chicken, duck; cheeses, olives, salts, rubs, sauces.
- Family-friendly: yes; wheelchair/pram accessible; leashed pets welcome.