Just 30 minutes south of Coolangatta, Tweed River House is a gateway to another world. The sprawling venue has undergone an incredible floor-to-ceiling restoration and has recently opened to the public to usher in a new era of elegance and establish itself as one of Northern New South Wales’ must-visit dining destinations. Owners Gregory Lording and Phillip Hepburn have gone to extraordinary lengths to preserve the original character and charm of the home, while giving it some gorgeous modern embellishments. The end result is a thing of absolute beauty. An awe-inspiring chandelier hovers over a private dining room, which can seat up to ten guests, but try as you might, your gaze is immediately drawn to that view. Sweeping across tropical cane fields to the majestic Wollumbin and Border Ranges, Tweed River House sets the scene for leisurely long lunches and profoundly enjoyable dining experiences, the kind that linger in your memory long after you leave. Inside, Gregory has curated a space befitting its superlative location, with a palette of ebony, emerald-green and ivory set against elegant pressed-tin ceilings and a palm-draped bar. Whether it’s lunch with a view, sunset cocktails or you’re celebrating something special, there’s a setting to suit your mood.
Tweed River House has been envisioned as a time capsule that envelops diners. Here, you are greeted with a kind of old-fashioned service juxtaposed against a thoroughly modern menu. To round out Tweed River House’s offering, Gregory and Phillip knew the fare also had to be top-notch and so they recruited Joseph McGrattan as executive chef. Irish-born with an Australian family, Joseph has combined classical European training in Michelin-starred restaurants with his love for local fresh produce to create a contemporary culinary experience that has earned Tweed River House a coveted Chef’s Hat in the 2022 Australian Good Food Guide Awards. Diners can expect an ever-evolving menu underpinned by vibrant, seasonal flavours of locally grown, organic and Indigenous ingredients from Northern Rivers’ rich bounty. Unlike the prevailing trend of shared dining, the meals here are made for one. Start with a bite of smoked duck with crispy rillette, riberry gel, parfait, native ginger and apple, before moving on to a main, or Plat Principal as they’re known here, of bouillabaisse (Australian bay prawn, scallop, local octopus, chargrilled fish, mussels, cuttlefish, vegetables, house bread, rouille). The menu provides your choice of two-, three- and five-course options, alongside a decadent nine-course degustation, which takes tastebuds on a carefully curated gastronomic journey. Tweed River House has added something pretty special to Murwillumbah and surrounds’ ever-growing collection of roadtrip-worthy eateries.
Located 25 minutes from Coolangatta, 45 minutes from Broadbeach and 90 minutes from Brisbane, Tweed River House is well worth the day trip. Jump over here to book a table, or see more on its Facebook and Instagram pages.
