From fish and chips by the sea to his go-to neighbourhood locals, the cricket great shares his favourite places to eat – and dishes to order – at home and in India.
Collaborations between celebrities and wine brands are nothing new. But unlike many others, Ricky Ponting’s foray into viticulture is no novelty.
The Aussie cricket legend turned commentator launched his namesake wine label with wife Rianna and South Australian winemaker Ben Riggs five years ago, and the accolades have been flowing almost as beautifully as his pull shots back in the day. Ponting Wines recently took out best Australian shiraz at the 2025 International Wine Challenge and a gold medal at the 2025 Frankfurt International Trophy.
Ponting has been on the lookout for a vineyard to call his own, and says he’s been outbid on a few properties so far. The Tasmanian-born cricketer won’t rule out the Tamar Valley as an option, but South Australia tops the list.
With 12 wines in the collection, focusing on the business with his wife is top priority. “It’s not just my name on someone else’s label,” he says.
“Rianna and I wanted to have our own business and work on something together that in 20 years, our kids might want to take over and run.”
Working with Riggs has been rewarding. “I needed to have that open relationship with Ben so we can produce premium wines together, not simply have another bottle on the shelf,” Ponting says.
“It would make sense for the authenticity of the brand to have a property in Tasmania. But our wine is made in McLaren Vale, and to have a cellar door is a dream for us, for sure.”
Ponting took time out from his busy schedule to share his food and drink favourites at home and on the road.
Eating Out
My favourite hometown restaurant (and go-to dish)
When I am back home, we tend to eat out quite a lot as a family. We always go to Crown Melbourne. We go to half a dozen exceptional restaurants there; our favourites are Rockpool Bar & Grill for steaks and Nobu for seafood. I love the sushi and sashimi.
We also love going to Neighbourhood Pizza in Armadale. They make a grilled seafood dish called a Tuscan cacciucco [Tuscan fish stew] that’s a mix of mussels, prawns and calamari with cherry tomatoes, garlic and chilli with a big piece of focaccia that really hits the spot. I order this every single time.
We spend our summers down in Portsea. Our place is 100 metres from the Portsea Hotel and we order fish and chips every time.
My favourite hometown cafe and/or bar (and favourite drink/snack at each)
Albert’s Wine Bar in Armadale is our favourite spot to go. You can sit inside and outside. The wine list is very good. They also make a crab toast with miso and sesame which is a must-order and our go-to cocktail is the spicy margarita.
Saki Coffee is another regular spot. It’s a small cafe with great coffee and toasted sandwiches and soups.
Favourite takeaway in Melbourne
Croutons Fine Food. They do beautiful Sri Lankan curries, and all the salads are good.
What is your favourite place to eat in Australia? Are there special food memories here that you have?
I was born and bred in Launceston, Tasmania. We still go to the very famous small Chinese restaurant called Me Wah. My family loves Chinese food – there’s always a table of 15 for us there. There’s also one in Hobart for the past 10 years now. They make a great curried scallop dish. My dad always orders a Buck Bow Farn – it’s a rice and noodle combination meat dish tossed in oyster sauce. I like to order mixed dim sum and siu mai steamed dumplings.
In Sydney
I like the Asian fusion at Mr Wong. They do an amazing steamed dim sum platter – also try the duck pancakes.
Catalina in Rose Bay is a favourite. We always order grilled fish of the day. Definitely oysters or the Murray Cod and pan-fried snapper and a nice glass of chardonnay in the afternoon.
Icebergs: the views, the food – it’s all perfect. If we dine at night, I go for the steak, and if it’s lunchtime, I always look for a seafood pasta or fish. Pasta vongole is my go-to.
We lived in Cronulla for a long time. There was a seafood restaurant right on the water we’d go to frequently called Summer Salt where we’d always order the fish and chips.
On the road
Favourite food destination
It has to be India. I have travelled there more than 50 times in my career. I have coached the Delhi cricket team for the last seven years and there’s a famous Indian restaurant in Delhi called Bukhara. It serves old-school Indian food. They make a naan bread that is four feet long.
I lived in Mumbai for a few years as a coach as well. A Japanese spot called Wasabi is a top-end restaurant that’s really expensive and located inside the Taj Mahal Hotel. We recommend the salmon belly sashimi, the spicy tuna roll or tempura rolls.
In Mumbai, there is a place that’s called The Table – paddock-to-plate philosophy. It’s a casual fine dining spot with a global menu. The pasta cacio e pepe is very good.
Eating In
Signature dish and go-to at home
I love to barbecue during the summer. My go-to are steaks and prawns on the grill. If I am about to head away for work, Rianna always makes a delicious roast pork with baked potatoes.
My guilty pleasure
Eating too much of the crackling that comes with the roast pork!
Best kitchen wisdom I cling to
Stay out of the way when someone is trying to cook. My mum was a great cook and so is Rianna. I moved out of home at 15 to start playing cricket and really lived out of hotels until I was about 40, when I retired. So it’s only been the last 10 years I have learnt that when someone is in the kitchen, stay out of their way [laughs].
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Jane Rocca is a regular contributor to Sunday Life Magazine, Executive Style, The Age EG, columnist and features writer at Domain Review, Domain Living’s Personal Space page. She is a published author of four books.Connect via Twitter or email.
