Where to dine out this truffle season

It’s officially truffle season and we couldn’t be happier to see this delicacy back on the menu at top restaurants across the country!

Highly prized in the culinary world, truffles are more than just your average mushroom. Known for their intense aroma and distinct, earthy flavour that’s rich in umami, truffles can elevate an array of winter dishes, from pasta, risotto and steak through to chicken, ramen and even dumplings.

Of course, it’s not just the taste that makes truffles so special. The black Perigord truffle, harvested in Australia from June until September, is grown in soil underneath the shadow of a host tree and can take between three to four years to grow. When it’s time to harvest, farmers use trained sniffer dogs or even pigs to seek out the distinct smell. 

But farming truffles is no easy feat. Factors such as climate, soil quality and just plain luck make them notoriously difficult to grow, which is why they come at a premium. There’s a reason chefs consider them to be a treasure of the culinary world!

So, where can you find truffles on the menu this season?

Meat & Wine Co (Various Locations)

If you appreciate a fine cut of meat, cooked to perfection, you won’t want to miss The Meat & Wine Co’s AGED Monte Rib-Eye, which has been expertly infused with fresh Australian winter truffle, available for a strictly limited time. With locations in Circular Quay, Barangaroo, Parramatta and Bella Vista (NSW) Canberra (ACT), Chadstone, Southbank, Hawthorn East, South Yarra (Victoria) and Adelaide (SA), there’s bound to be a truffle-licious experience near you.

Sydney

For Sydney truffle lovers, Chiosco by Ormeggio in Mosman is serving Gnocchi al cinghiale with wild boar ragout and truffle pecorino for a limited time, while Monte in Leichhardt has two truffle infused dishes on the menu. 

Head to Seta Sydney in the CBD for the San Pietro dish featuring john dory, black truffle, artichokes and bronze fennel or Black Bottle in Darlinghurst for weekly black truffle specials. 

Frenchie's Bistro in Rosebery will be hosting a series of truffle dinners in July. Bentley Restaurant, Cirrus Dining, Yellow Sydney and Monopole Sydney are all also hosting special truffle dinners throughout June and July. 

Melbourne

In Melbourne, Tulum Restaurant in Balaclava is serving up truffle specials, including housemade grilled flat bread, black truffle and housemade tahini honey butter, while Jishan Garden in the CBD is offering Black Truffle Cold Cut Free Range Chicken. 

Bellota Wine Bar in South Melbourne, Mister Bianco in Kew and Vaporetto Bar & Eatery in Hawthorn are also running black truffle winter specials. 

Going on a truffle hunt this winter dining season? Tag TheForkAU in your foodie pics so we can share in the fun!