Best Restaurants in the Blue Mountains
We have some wonderful restaurants here in the mountains, which serve amazing dishes from all over the world. To help you plan where to eat while you're here, we've put together a list of some of our favourite places in the area.
Image by Avalon Katoomba, via www.avalonkatoomba.com.au
1. Avalon Katoomba
This is our favourite restaurant in Katoomba. It’s located near the top of the Main Street opposite the iconic Carrington Hotel. The restaurant was the old cinema/picture house and has retained its quirky old world charm. Our favourite dish is the home-made vegetarian spring rolls for entree followed by their signature Slow Roasted Lamb wrapped in Prosciutto with thick cut home-made hot chips and chunky veggies. Best washed down with a glass of Idiot Shiraz from Orange NSW.
Image by Pins on Lurline, via www.pinsonlurline.com.au
2. Pins on Lurline
We give this beautiful fine-dining venue a double thumbs up. This heritage property has seen past-lives as a letting house, a school, a guest house and now a restaurant. The cuisine is Modern Australian and chef Adam Shaw uses locally sourced and seasonal produce, which means the menu is updated year-round. 6 and 10 course tasting and degustation menus are available, or you can opt for bottomless bubbles at lunch time. No dietary requirement is too much to ask and they also offer exquisite wine pairings. Fabulous for a special occasion.
Image by Station Bar, via www.stationbar.com.au
3. Station Bar
While not strictly a restaurant, this is our favourite bar and they serve great food. Located at the top of the main street in Katoomba, this inviting venue is the ideal place to unwind with a few beers or cocktails, and listen to live music with the locals on Fridays and Saturdays. It also serves some of the best-rated pizza in Australia, which we can personally vouch for. Our favourite is the Duck Pizza.
Image by Papadinos, via www.papadinoskatoomba.com.au
4. Papadinos
Papadinos is a classic Italian family restaurant and has been a part of Katoomba forever. Expect a warm welcome, mouth-wateringly authentic Italian cuisine and good value for your money. The menu is traditional and expansive, so you have your pick of pastas, pizzas, seafood, steaks and risottos, followed by a creamy Italian dessert and a top quality coffee if you have room!
Image by The Carrington, via www.thecarrington.com.au
Image by The Carrington, via www.thecarrington.com.au
5. The Carrington
Bold and ornate, this is the most iconic hotel in the Main Street, and offers three venues in one.
The Grand Dining Room was built in 1887 and is absolutely beautiful inside, with high domed ceilings and detailed décor. The menu is as fabulous as the venue, starring seasonal produce, prime cuts and creative flavours.
The Old City Bank Bar and Brasserie is a more casual venue which moonlights as a piano bar on Fridays and Saturdays. The family-friendly restaurant is upstairs from the Irish pub and is always bustling. The home-made Guinness pie with hot chips is the absolute best, in our opinion.
Champagne Charlie’s Cocktail Bar is named after French Champagne merchant Charles Heidseick, who was dubbed ‘Champagne Charlie’ in the 1850s. It shares the luxurious and intricate style of the Grand Dining Room and is Katoomba’s most elegant cocktail bar. Open from 7pm until late if you’re keen for a more glamorous tipple. Or open during the day for Devonshire Cream Tea if you’d like to go somewhere special for the afternoon.
Image by Arjuna, via www.arjunarestaurant.com.au
6. Arjuna Indian Restaurant
This beautiful Indian restaurant is just up the road from Careel Cottages. It’s a small, family-owned gem where the owners are also the chefs! It’s BYO only and has been part of Katoomba for over 35 years. Enjoy authentic Indian cuisine, served with traditional presentation, with stunning views overlooking the Jamison Valley.
Image by Katoomba Canton Palace, via www.arjunarestaurant.com.au
7. Katoomba Canton Palace
If you’re in the mood for South East Asian cuisine, Katoomba Canton Palace is a warm and welcoming family-owned restaurant that has been part of the local scene for years. The Han family pride themselves on local favourites and traditional Chinese and Malaysian dishes, and have been nominated finalists numerous times for best Asian food in the Sydney west region.
Image by 8 Things, via www.8things.com.au
8. 8 Things
Created by international chef Misha Laurent, who is passionate about both food and travel, 8 Things has its name because it serves 8 “street” food dishes from 8 cultures, in a funky venue with great tunes. Each dish has been honed and perfected, so whether you go for the Korean Bao or the NYC Cheeseburger you’re guaranteed to be in for a treat.
Image by Darley's Restaurant, via www.darleysrestaurant.com.au
9. Darley’s Restaurant
Darley’s is an absolutely exquisite fine dining restaurant within the gorgeous Lilianfels Resort and Spa, just a stone’s throw from the Three Sisters. Marvel at the picturesque views of the historic English gardens and Jamison Valley, take in the sumptuous décor, and feast your senses on the gourmet offerings on the menu. The cuisine is high-end Modern Australian, with a range of high-end dishes including octopus with tripe, wood-smoked pork belly, toothfish and lamb rump. A must-visit.
Image by Leura Garage, via www.leuragarage.com.au
10. Leura Garage
Leura Garage is an award-winning restaurant, cafe and bar which prides itself on ‘fun dining’. It’s a funky little place with a great feel, and the theme is – you guessed it – cars. The menu is unique and locally sourced and offers a real mixture of different yet complementary cuisines including Modern Australian, Italian and Moroccan. We thoroughly recommend the Moroccan Hot pot, and the famous 3 course Lamb Dinner is also very popular.
Image by Polar Bear of Leura, via https://polarbearofleura.com.au/
11. Polar Bear of Leura
Despite it’s distinctly Arctic sounding name, Polar Bear of Leura serves a mixture of Turkish, Middle Eastern, North American and Italian food. The expansive menu covers a range of dishes from Kofte to Fettucine, although they specialise in pizza. Their pizzas sport some unique toppings including Canadian Bacon, Garden of Eden, and the Polar Bear (a meat eaters dream, with pepperoni, bacon, chicken and mushroom on a tomato base). They also serve a fabulous array of cocktails, so you can sip on a Stoned and Herbal or a Rise of the Ottomans while you enjoy the ambience.
What are some other things to do in Katoomba and the Blue Mountains?
We hope you enjoy some amazing meals while you're here. If you're looking to find out more about evenings out in the Blue Mountains, you can also check out our guides to the Best Pubs and Bars in the Blue Mountains, and the Best Live Music in the Blue Mountains. Alternatively if you're interested in exploring local vintage finds, records and artisanry you might like our guide to the Best Blue Mountains Shops and Boutiques.
Blue Mountains FAQs
For more useful information that will help you plan your stay, we invite you to take a look at our Visiting the Blue Mountains FAQ guide, which will help you plan when to come, what to wear, where to stay and more.