Must-see restaurants in New South Wales

  • Purple Carrot

    Mid-North Coast

    The breakfast-based menu offers eggs galore alongside dishes such as brioche French toast, smoked trout on a potato rösti, and a creamy pesto mushroom and…

  • Momo Bar

    Manly

    Delicious Nepalese dumplings and build-your-own poke bowls get locals queuing at lunchtime at this hole-in-the-wall restaurant with a handful of outdoor…

  • Yachtie

    Coffs Harbour

    This busy restaurant serves pub-style seafood, steaks and pasta, and does coffee and cakes in-between meal service. Best of all, it has an ocean view –…

  • Bookshop Café

    Mid-North Coast

    The verandah tables here are a great spot for an all-day breakfast, otherwise sit inside among the book-lined shelves. As the day progresses, burgers,…

  • Wilkies Cafe

    New South Wales

    Inventive breakfasts and lunches (including a few vego options; the vegetarian bruschetta is a lovely medley atop sourdough), good coffee and pleasant…

  • Scrumptious on Summer

    New South Wales

    This family-run licensed cafe is a great place to enjoy seriously delicious breakfasts (the big breakfast is killer) and light lunches, including healthy…

  • Teapots Cafe

    New South Wales

    Light meals and decent coffee are served at this pretty garden cafe, which is located in Stoke House Carcoar, a few streets away from the centre of town.

  • Happy Chef Seafood Noodle House

    City Centre & Haymarket

    In the Sussex Centre food court, which has a few decent options, Happy Chef has been drawing in the punters for years to slurp on seafood noodles and…

  • Belotti's Italian Dining

    New South Wales

    Don't be fooled by the Motor Inn location: Belotti's offers upscale Mediterranean dining featuring mains like panko-crumbed lamb (sourced from nearby…

  • Goanna Bakery & Cafe

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    As well as baking organic sourdough bread and a delectable array of sweet things (gluten-free options too), this cavernous bakery-cafe serves a great…

  • Racine at La Colline Winery

    New South Wales

    High-class cooking and a fine rural setting are a knockout combination at this lovely vineyard off the road to Lake Canobolas. Lunches are a la carte,…

  • Annie’s Old Fashioned Ice-Cream Parlour

    New South Wales

    Step back in time for sweet treats in a gorgeous 1950s colourful and kitsch milkbar-style shop. All the ice cream is made on-site daily, with the locally…

  • Dolce Dolce

    Southern NSW & The Murray

    This boutique family-run restaurant prepares modern and traditional antipasti and dinner dishes, as well as desserts, tortes and gelato in a classic,…

  • Belvedere Pizzeria Ristorante

    Southern NSW & The Murray

    The top pizza spot in town, plus the surprise of its very own Tresetti craft lager. Phone ahead for very popular takeaway pizza. Service can be a tad…

  • Thai To You

    New South Wales

    Authentic Thai cuisine served in large portion sizes is served at this popular restaurant. It's so popular, in fact, residents from nearby towns travel to…

  • Wharf St Cafe

    Mid-North Coast

    Choose from river views inside or on the relaxed front deck for a lazy breakfast and Campos coffee, or drop by to lunch on a crumbed fish burger or salt…

  • Church St Cafe & Bar

    New South Wales

    Using fresh, seasonal ingredients, this smart and funky cafe is all about excellent breakfasts and delicious lunches, with outdoor seating spilling onto…

  • Hunt & Gather

    South Coast NSW

    Reassuringly rough-hewn decor (wooden tables, brick walls) sets the organic tone of Hunt & Gather. Expect big salad bowls, tasty banana bread and silky…

  • Moruya Country Markets

    South Coast NSW

    This riverside market is a popular Saturday event in Moruya, whether you're looking for cupcakes and ice cream, farm-fresh fruit and veg or honeys and…

  • Urban Retreat

    New South Wales

    This new-in-2018 venue is a cafe by day and restaurant and bar by night. The food is decent and there's a great kids' space to keep the young ones…

  • La Piccola Italian Deli

    Southern NSW & The Murray

    This classic family deli sells smallgoods and prepares fresh focaccia sandwiches. A top spot also to pick up picnic supplies like Italian cheese and…

  • Vinegar & Brown Paper

    Sydney Region

    Classic fish and chips and burgers, well made with fresh ingredients: that's about it, and that's about all you need. Grab some and head down to the sand.

  • Cork & Fork Brassiere

    New South Wales

    This bistro in the gorgeous Commercial Hotel has fabulous pub food, open fireplaces, local wines and not a TV or poker machine in sight.

  • Fishermen's Coop

    Coffs Harbour

    Grab some excellent fish and chips and devour them right beside the fishing trawlers of Coffs' sizeable fleet. You can call ahead for takeaway, too.

  • Nimbin Pizza & Trattoria

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Dine on tasty pizza and pasta dishes at this Italian-owned restaurant, with an extensive vegetarian pizza menu and gluten-free and vegan options.

  • Matilda's

    Mid-North Coast

    This schmick seafood shack has an old-fashioned beach-town character, excellent service and a menu of mostly seafood, including local oysters.

  • Phamish

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    Packed with locals most nights, Phamish serves delicious rice-paper rolls, dumplings, pancakes, salt-and-pepper squid and Vietnamese curries.

  • Hominy Bakery

    Katoomba

    Brilliant pies and sandwiches, delicious wholemeal sourdough loaves and tempting sweet treats make this organic bakery an excellent stop.

  • Legall Patisserie

    New South Wales

    This is the place to go for freshly baked bread and delicious macarons, éclairs and tarts, all crafted by French chef Phillippe Legall.

  • New Leaf Café

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    A dedicated vegetarian cafe with plenty of bold Middle Eastern flavours and salads. Dine inside or al fresco, or take away.

  • Feathers Cafe

    New South Wales

    This welcoming little country cafe is a good bet for wraps, sandwiches, burgers and burritos. Breakfast is served all day.

  • Finns Store

    New South Wales

    This cafe-shop-cellar-door space makes for a delightful stop when in town and is located next door to a gallery.

  • The Village Grocer

    New South Wales

    Delicious cakes, outstanding coffee and light meals are available at this light-filled and airy country cafe.

  • Raku Izakaya

    New South Wales

    This new-in-2018 modern Japanese eatery is all about share plates (all meticulously presented) and sake.

  • Roast duck and pork at BBQ King, Chinatown.

    BBQ King

    City Centre & Haymarket

    This Chinatown staple is low on frills but big on flavour. The duck on the logo gives a hint: a half comfortably feeds two and is delicious. Suckling pig…

  • 500px Photo ID: 99678427 - A cup of coffee latte art casting a shadow on the tiles table. Photo was taken in a local coffee shop in Sydney, Australia.

    Sample Coffee

    Surry Hills & Darlinghurst

    If the alpine scene on the wall induces the urge to yodel, quickly shove one of Sample's deliciously moist muffins in your mouth. The food is limited to…

  • Located across from Main Beach, Fishheads serves up fresh seafood in its restaurant and kiosk

    Fishheads

    Byron Bay

    Right on the beach, this takeaway shop sells traditional battered fish and chip packs, and burgers, perfect for dining on the sand. The attached…

  • A Fish Called Coogee.

    A Fish Called Coogee

    Sydney

    This upmarket fish and chipper offers much more than your standard deep-fried cod. There’s everything from barbecued shrimp and peppered marlin to…

  • Barzura cafe restaurant and bar interior.

    Barzura

    Sydney

    Barzura's views are among the best of any cafe in Sydney. The sunbaked stretch north along Coogee Beach is a stunner, as are the deliciously uncomplicated…

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    Espressohead

    Byron Bay

    Caffeine fiends flock to this place to sip the excellent coffee while soaking up the morning sun. You can build your own eggs-and-sides breakfast or opt…