16 restaurants in the Blue Mountains you must try

Breakfast spots & cosy cafes  

Victory Cafe

Bringing together two of the best things about the Blue Mountains – good food and great antiques – Victory Cafe sits inside the old Victory Theatre in the centre of Blackheath. The grand early 20th century picture palace is now the largest antiques store west of Sydney, home to more than 50 dealers. The cafe is right inside the entrance, serving up breakfast and lunch every day. 

Victory Cafe, Blackheath

Sorensen’s Glasshouse 

Sip your coffee surrounded by spring wildflowers or rich autumn foliage at Sorensen’s Glasshouse in Leura. Built in the 1920s by Danish-born landscape gardener Paul Sorensen, this striking glass-walled building lay unloved for decades before it was reborn as a cafe. If you’re feeling inspired by all the lush greenery outside, you can even pick up a plant to take home. 

Sorensens Glasshouse & Gardens, Leura

Cafe 2773 

Bring the kids and the dog to this sprawling, sunny cafe in Glenbrook. The large, grassed courtyard area has play equipment, an ice-cream cart and even a flock of friendly chickens. During the day, 2773 serves breakfast and an international lunch menu, with dishes like steak and shrimp street tacos and pork belly bao buns. By night, tuck in to wood fired pizzas and colourful cocktails. 

Cafe 2773, Glenbrook

Bakery Patisserie Schwarz 

For almost 40 years, the Schwarz family have been making fresh bread and delectable German-style pastries at their Wentworth Falls bakery. It’s a firm favourite with locals and the lucky visitors who find their way there to sample traditional strudel, danishes, pretzels, black forest cake and sachertorte. 

Baked goods at Bakery Patisserie Schwarz, Wentworth Falls

Chic & casual eateries 

Frankie & Mo’s 

This cool and cosy natural wine bar is inside a former art gallery in Blackheath and seats just 25 people. Father and son team Bob and Tom Coleman produce the wine at their organic vineyard in the picturesque Kanimbla Valley and pair it with moreish share plates like gnocchi, focaccia, whipped ricotta and figs, kangaroo carpaccio and mushroom ceviche. Find a seat at the French-style zinc countertop, order a glass or two and chat with the locals. 

Frankie & Mo’s, Blackheath - Credit: Frankie & Mo’s

Mountain Culture Beer Co Brewpub 

The first brewpub in the Blue Mountains, Mountain Culture opened in Katoomba in 2019. It’s set inside a beautifully restored building from 1912 that previously housed the local newspaper, The Echo. Today, it’s famous for its burgers, paired with fun sides like tater tots and fried pickles. Wash it all down with one of their award-winning craft beers or a wine from local vineyards. 

Anderson's Tours at Mountain Culture Beer Co., Blue Mountains - Credit: Mountain Culture Beer Co.

The Bootlegger Bar 

Step inside a little bit of Louisiana in the mountains at The Bootlegger Bar, set in Katoomba’s famed Art Deco Niagara building. Specialising in Southern-style smoked meats and Cajun flavours, you can feast on authentic beef brisket, pulled pork, racks of ribs and fried chicken. There’s also a fun cocktail list, a huge range of whiskies (including curated whisky flights) and beers from local craft brewery Brew Mountains.  

Bootlegger Bar, Katoomba

Bowery Kitchen and Bar 

Another heritage gem reborn, Bowery has taken over the century-old St Andrew’s Church in Katoomba. The menus change regularly, with modern Australian dishes focusing on seasonal, local produce. Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, you’ll find classics like eggs benedict and braised lamb shanks alongside innovative dishes like bush tomato spiced barramundi and soft shell crab roti. 

Bowery Kitchen and Bar, Katoomba - Credit: Clovar Creative/Avalon Restaurant

Fine-dining stars 

Ates 

The name of this Blackheath restaurant comes from the Ottoman Turkish word for ‘fire’, so you can expect plenty of flame grilled flavours. The one-hat Ates (pronounced ah-tess) uses a 150-year-old ironbark fuelled oven to turn out roasted free range duck, grilled fish and wood fired vegetables. Order a selection of share plates to share with your dining companions or the indulgent chef’s banquet to get a taste of everything. 

Ates, Blackheath - Credit: Lauren Commens

Megalong 

Almost everything you’ll see on your plate at Megalong is taken from the surrounding LOT 101 farm – that includes organic fruit, vegetables and herbs, and farm-raised beef and lamb. Anything they don’t grow is sourced from local farmers and sustainable producers, creating provenance-focused dining in a tranquil mountain setting, with 360-degree views of the escarpment and bushland. After lunch, take a walk through the gardens to see the next meal in production. 

Megalong Restaurant, Megalong Valley - Credit: Megalong Restaurant

Blaq 

The meals at Blaq are almost too pretty to eat – almost. Set inside the retro-chic Kyah Hotel in Blackheath, the chefs craft regional produce into colourful share plates like grilled octopus and salsa verde, seared scallops with pickled lemon, roast chicken with caramelised endive, and beef cube roll with smoked potato. The cocktails are just as appealing and will deserve their own spot on your Instagram feed. 

Blaq at Kyah Hotel, Blackheath - Credit: Steven Woodburn

Arrana 

Arrana opened in the village of Springwood in 2020 and was awarded two chefs’ hats in its first year. This is luxury fine dining with soft lighting, plush booths and lots of champagne. The menu heroes native ingredients like finger lime, Davidson plum, wattleseed and succulents, transforming classic dishes into innovative Australian cuisine. The four- and seven-course degustation menus can be paired with local wines or non-alcoholic cocktails. 

Arrana, Springwood - Credit: Time Out

Dining with a view 

Echoes

From your table at the rooftop restaurant of Echoes Boutique Hotel, you’ll feel as though you could almost reach out and touch the Three Sisters. With a glass-walled dining room and open-air verandahs, the view is an integral part of the dining experience. If you can tear your eyes away from it, you’ll find modern Australian cuisine with an Asian twist on the plate. 

Echoes Boutique Hotel and Restaurant, Katoomba - Credit: Salter Brothers Hospitality

Darley’s Restaurant 

Step into a little slice of English elegance at Darley’s, set inside the century-old Lilianfels House in Katoomba. The dining room looks out over the perfectly landscaped formal gardens and onto the rugged Jamison Valley. Ingredients are sourced from within 100 miles of the restaurant and many from within their own kitchen garden. Feast on Hawkesbury River calamari, Mandagery Creek Venison and Oberon white lamb. 

Darley's Restaurant, Katoomba

The Wintergarden 

The Hydro Majestic Hotel is an icon of the Blue Mountains, having sat on the edge of the escarpment overlooking the Jamison Valley for more than 120 years. It’s elegant Wintergarden restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over that breathtaking view. It’s famous for its indulgent high tea, with towers piled with sandwiches, cakes and scones. Wash them down with a pot of tea or a glass of champagne. 

Wintergarden restaurant within the Hydro Majestic Hotel, Medlow Bath - Credit: Salter Brothers Hospitality

Embers Grill 

This classic steakhouse-style restaurant is part of the luxe Fairmont Resort just outside of Leura. The dining room has a soaring pitched roof, grand stone fireplace and sweeping views out over the Jamison Valley. On the menu, tuck in to oysters, seafood chowder, duck ragout, ocean trout or the epic 500g Angus scotch fillet for two. 

Embers Restaurant, Fairmont Resort & Spa