General News
19 December, 2025
Restaurant a Golden Nugget
Maldon's Porcupine Village is expected to open in 2026, but their restaurant is already winning awards.
Maldon’s gold rush-styled Porcupine Village is expected to open in 2026, after years of closure, while their restaurant is already taking home awards.
The Golden Nugget Restaurant was recognised with a highly commended certificate for ambience at this year’s Golden Plate Awards.
It’s the latest in a litany of awards for the restaurant, which opened in late 2022, ahead of the broader tourist attraction’s launch.
The restaurant is within a faux mining settlement which was a tourist attraction dating back to the 1990s.
Closed in 2007, and sold in late 2020, the site will soon open its doors as an anticipated attraction.
In the meantime, visitors have been able to get a taste of what to expect since the restaurant opened in late 2022.
Leading the way is head chef and event coordinator Sonya McCarthy who has become synonymous with The Golden Nugget Restaurant.
She’s brought experience from unexpected places with a quarter-century background in hospitality across two private colleges in Melbourne.
The village’s marketing co-ordinator Amber Gregg said the restaurant has earned an informal title as Sonya’s Restaurant.
She said Ms McCarthy is constantly going to markets and sourcing local produce so even their classic bistro menu has a story.
“She’s a big one woman show who does do a whole lot,” she said.
Between the food, decor, live music and staff , Ms Gregg said it all comes together to create the atmosphere they were recognised for.
“Everything fits so perfectly in the box of [ambience],” she said.
It’s a success story built and shared by the staff of Porcupine Village.
“We might be a village in our name but we’re a village as a whole. We come together with our strengths and work together,” Ms Gregg said.
As the village looks toward opening next year, and the uncertainty of what that will look like, Ms Gregg said they’ll be listening to feedback just as they did with the restaurant.
“We’re not expecting to be perfect on day one of opening. We’re expecting people to be honest and give us their contribution and thoughts,” she said.
She hopes current visitors to the restaurant, or those exploring the village next year, come away with something to remember.
“Whether you’re coming to the restaurant, accommodation, or village everything is about an experience we’re giving people,” Ms Gregg said.