Bakeries
Black Cockatoo Bakery (165 Katoomba Street, Katoomba, @blackcockatoobakery)
Owned by a French boulanger, this place produces some of greater Sydney’s best croissants and sourdough breads. Don’t miss the pastry cabinet!
Bakehouse on Wentworth (208 Leura Mall, Leura)
Pies of all varieties, sizes and proteins have been refined over many years at this local institution.
Hominy Bakery (185 Katoomba St, Katoomba)
Birthday cakes, cookies, pies and sandwiches for hikes or picnics — there’s no bad order here.
The Yellow Deli (214 Katoomba Street, Katoomba)
The sandwiches are good but the lines are often long. According to Google (and most people who’ll tell you about it), it’s run by a cult…
Providores and delis
Todarello’s (170-180 Bathurst Rd, Katoomba)
For the freshest fruit and veg, Italian delis essentials, or even just a chat with the Todarello brothers.
Fish and Fowl (1 Pioneer Place, Katoomba)
Daily seafood from the Sydney Fish Markets, plus a great selection of local and international cheeses, charcuterie and deli goods.
Lyttleton Stores (1 Badgery Crescent, Lawson; @lyttletonstores)
Much of the hyper-local fruit, veggies, meats and cheeses are grown, fermented, foraged and baked by co-op members. There’s also a gift store with local arts and crafts.
This Little Piggy (238 Great Western Highway, Blackheath; @thislittlepiggydeli)
Cheeses, homemade pate and piping hot espresso, plus gourmet small goods and condiments, fresh baked treats and light meals to grab and go.
Markets
Blackheath Growers Market (Corner of Gardiner Crescent and Great Western Highway; @blackheathgrowersmarket)
There’s a chai tea tent, an aromatherapist who extracts oils from local forests, an independent producer turning out 10/10 bacon and egg rolls and so much more. Held on the second Sunday of the month.
Restaurants
The best places book out in advance so please try and make a reservation before your stay. Also, restaurants tend to close a fair bit earlier than in Sydney (around 8pm).
Fine dining
Tempus (66 Katoomba St, Katoomba; @tempuskatoomba)
Inside a sympathetically converted heritage bank, the Tempus team delivers a stellar drinks menu (cocktails with native ingredients and spirits, an extensive local wine selection and inventive non-alcoholic sodas such as wattle seed cola) alongside a generous, superbly prepared and beautifully presented degustation. There’s also a full al a carte menu and vegan options.
Blaq (13-17 Brightlands Ave, Blackheath; @kyahhotel)
At the in-house restaurant of Kyah Boutique Hotel the central bar is the domain of an award-winning sommelier who curates a locally-focussed wine list and fun cocktails. The food is charred and grilled — think big steaks, fresh seafood and fire-kissed sides. Grab a seat by the fire in cooler weather or out on the deck when it’s sunny.
Ates (33 Govetts Leap Rd, Blackheath; @ates_blackheath)
Simple, generous and modern Turkish favourites prepared in the wood oven by chef Will Cowen-Lung (formerly Tetsuya’s and Rockpool Bar and Grill).
A little more relaxed…
Zoe’s (35 Govetts Leap Rd, Blackheath; @zoes_blackheath)
Tasty Mexican food and a relaxed atmosphere. The beef tacos are slow cooked in the wood fire oven, the fish tacos are freshly fried and generous, the mains are topnotch, too. Plenty of local beers and fast margaritas.
Pho Moi (Shop 1, 39 Waratah St, Katoomba; @pho_moi)
Great take away option for a warm pho on a cold night or a shaking beef stir fry after a day hiking.
Papadinos (48 Katoomba St, Katoomba)
Classic Italian red sauce joint with pastas, pizzas and laminated menus. An excellent choice for families.
Sanyiwe Korean (177 Katoomba St, Katoomba)
Fried chicken, bibimbap and generous banchan in a lovely, cosy setting.
The Bootlegger Bar (92 Bathurst Rd, Katoomba; @bootleggerkatoomba)
Low and slow BBQ, grilled meats and burgers. Great for groups.
Katoomba Canton Palace (246 Katoomba St, Katoomba)
Spinning Lazy Susans, classic beef and black bean, Crown Lagers and complimentary after dinner mints.
Cafes
Cassiopeia (79 Lurline St, Katoomba; @cassiopeiacoffee)
Just a 20-minute stroll up Lurline Street from Three Sisters Lodge. They are quite serious about their coffee and don’t do much else, but you can get some toast or a muffin.
Pubs and bars
The Alexandra Hotel (62 Great Western Highway, Leura; @thealexanderhotel)
Charming gardens with sunset views over the valley, the Alex is a firm local favourite. Good for families, groups or to watch the game by one of the fire places. The pizzas are cooked in the wood fire oven in the middle of the pub and the schnitzels are delicious, huge and even better on Mondays (when they’re two for the price of one).
Station Bar (287 Bathurst Rd, Katoomba; @stationbarandwoodfiredpizza)
Katoomba’s perennial night spot is unassumingly charming. Catch a gig, have a long lunch or a late night boogie.
Mountain Culture Beer Co. (23-25 Parke St, Katoomba; @mountainculturebeerco)
Enjoy the back deck at sunset, or grab a table inside the refurbished heritage building for award-winning beers and tasty smash burgers.
The Carrington Hotel Public Bar (15-47 Katoomba St, Katoomba)
The bar in the jewel of Katoomba’s crown is open to the public. Poke around the wonderfully preserved hotel with a cocktail in hand.
Bar NSW (33 Echo Point Rd, Katoomba; @thelookoutechopoint)
The very touristy establishment just across the road actually has superb valley views that make it a nice, easy spot for a beer on a still day. The coffee is passable…
Wine cellars and cellar doors
The Carrington Cellars and Deli (Parke St, Katoomba; @carringtoncellarsanddeli)
The best selection of local, Australian, international, fortified, rice, natty and sparkling wines in the Blue Mountains. Grab a coffee and browse the range of local cured meats (@gooseontheloosesalami), cheeses and pantry delicacies.
Dryridge Estate (226 Aspinall Road, Megalong Valley; @dryridgeestate)
About a thirty minute drive down through the rain forest and into the Blue Mountains agricultural valley, with stunning escarpment views, this cellar door is best visited on a sunny day. Call ahead to check opening hours.
Megalong Creek Estate (Aspinall Road, Megalong; @megalong_creek_estate)
Book ahead to visit the cellar door.
