Planning a trip to NSW’s Southern Highlands? With so much to see and explore you’ll be yearning for somewhere to sit back relax and refuel. So, without further ado, check out our curated guide of where to eat and drink across the Southern Highlands.

Cafés

Kicking off with the important stuff. Coffee. Find our top picks for where to get the best brew below alongside some of the most beautiful café interiors we’ve come across and scrumptiously filling foodie options.

Plantation Café

The light and airy interiors of Plantation café invite you in for a morning cup of coffee or a hot pot of coffee. Located right at the start of the eclectic shopping precinct that is Green Lane, Plantation Café should be your first stop before shopping along the strip.

Complete with high ceilings and a Parisian styled minimal mural, the light-filled café is complete with a floor to ceiling wall of coffee bags from Double Roasters coffee. On the menu you can expect fresh bakery goods, casual breakfasts, and an all-day brunch styled menu to suit all foodie needs.

Once you’ve finished your meal, head inside to start your Bowral shopping journey and pick up on a range of produce including local wines from Artemis Wines and Limoncello from Dawning Day Farms; you might even spot some goodies from our own local store, Bacco’s Bakeries.

Where: 21 Banyette St, Bowral
When: Mon-Sun | 8.30am-5pm
More Info: click here 

The Press Shop

Brought to you by the team behind The Bespoke Letterpress and joined to the luxury stationery retail space, The Press Shop continues to deliver a refined interior with luxurious touches.

Located on the corner of Bong Bong and Banyette Streets, the café is located behind the iconic blue curved door. Step inside and be greeted with soft blue and white tones, with a menu featuring specialty coffee by Seven Miles Coffee, tea by the Little Wilding Tea Co, and a food menu focussing on fresh and seasonal ingredients and flavours.

Where: 391-397 Bong Bong St, Bowral
When: Mon-Fri | 7am-4pm
Sat-Sun | 8am-4pm
More Info: click here

The Boston 

Set inside a stunning heritage, ivy and stone-clad building, The Boston is Mittagong’s go-to café spot. With a refined exposed brick interior with timber accents and a stunning exterior courtyard that dates back to the 1880s, a visit to The Boston is like a step back in time (but with good coffee).

Serving Campos coffee, delectable baked goods, and an easy-going breakfast menu, set up for the morning rain, hail, or shine at The Boston in Mittagong. 

Where: 107 Main St, Mittagong
When: Tue-Fri | 7am-2.30pm

Gumnut Patisserie

Do yourselves a favour and get in here early! A hefty line starts to form the minute they open their doors and tends to last the whole day (or until sold out), so make sure to get in early if you don’t like missing out.

Started by owners and pastry chefs, Tracy and Vicki Nicki, the Gumnut Patisserie utilizes the finest of ingredients to craft a range of exquisite pastries, desserts, and even pies! 

Where: Bong Bong St, Bowral
When: Mon-Sun | 8am-3.30pm
More Info: click here 

Highlands Merchant

Located on Argyle St in Moss Vale, the exteriors of Highlands Merchant invite you in for somewhere to let your feet rest after a day of exploring NSW’s Southern Highlands.

Where: 405 Argyle St, Moss Vale
When: 6.30am-2.30pm
More Info: click here 

Polly’s Pies & Pastries 

Are these the Southern Highlands’ best pies? You’ll have to drop in to make the call yourself!

Where: 672 Argyle St, Moss Vale
When: Mon-Fri | 5am-4pm
Sat-Sun | 7am-4pm
More Info: click here 

Restaurants

Need to treat your significant other to a special night out whilst you're away? Look no further than these stunning and scrumptious restaurant venues across NSW's Southern Highlands.

Paste

Michelin-starred fine-dining Thai restaurant Paste Bangkok has opened up in Australia, right in the heart of the NSW Southern Highlands on the main street of Mittagong. 

Where: 105 Main St, Mittagong
When: Mon | 5.30pm-10pm
Wed-Sat | 12pm-2.30pm | 5.30pm-10pm
More Info: click here

Harry’s On Green Lane

The fancy sister to the Plantation Café, Harry’s on Green Lane is located right next door and across the lane from Dirty Jane’s.

The atmospheric, friendly bistro is complete with an open fire, French doors, a garden terrace, and books upon books sitting high on the walls.

“It honours the intrepid plant hunters of Victorian times. Walls covered in tea-stained, sepia botanicals, massive hanging baskets dropping with devil’s ivy, kentia palms and tree ferns… a slightly jungle atmosphere meets an elegant Raffles style bar.” 

Where: 15-17 Banyette St, Bowral
When: Mon-Sun | 10am-5pm
More Info: click here 

Bernie’s Diner

Step back in time to the meticulously designed premise, Bernie’s Diner; an excellent example of Art Deco American Diner with touches from the 1950s. Expect to see all your favourite diner needs with burgers, fries, and shakes being the feature. 

Where: 402 Argyle St, Moss Vale
When: Mon-Sun | 8am-9pm
More Info: click here 

Southern Highlands Brewing & Taphouse

Just up the road from Bernie’s is the favourite local watering hole, Southern Highlands Brewing & Taphouse.

Opening in 2017, the taphouse has become an institution for the area serving up their signature Highlands beer range and cuisine perfectly matched. 

Where: 490-494 Argyle St, Moss Vale
When: Wed-Thu | 5pm-9pm
Fri | 4.30pm-10pm
Sat | 12pm-10pm
Sun | 12pm-9pm
More Info: click here 

Cellar Doors

Did you know NSW's Southern Highlands has over 60 vineyards and 15 cellar doors? To make it easier for you, we've shared our top three picks...

Bendooley Estate

This spectacular estate must be on everyone’s to-visit list when you’re exploring NSW’s Southern Highlands. Not just a winery, Bendooley Estate is home to the Berkelouw Book Bar, Bendooley’s restaurant, and luxurious cottages all on the 200-acre property.

Whether you’re dropping in for a coffee and cake, a wine tasting in the cellar door, to browse the book collection or enjoy a meal in the restaurant; make the effort to wander the Estate’s beautifully designed and managed gardens. 

Where: 3020 Hume Hwy, Berrima
When: Mon-Fri | 9.30am-5pm
More Info: click here 

Artemis Wines

The family-run winery is based in Mittagong with the cellar door housed in the contemporary recycled River Redgum clad building; exuding an ambiance of rustic Australian elegance. You can taste the wines tucked up by the fire in winter, or out on the lush green lawn in the summer.

Where: 46 Sir Charles Moses Ln, Mittagong
When: Wed-Sun | 11am-3.30pm
More Info: click here 

Centennial Vineyards

Just minutes from the centre of Bowral, Centennial Vineyards allows visitors to taste a selection of the wineries’ award-winning wines surrounded by the inviting French Provincial décor.

Where: 252 Centennial Rd, Bowral
When: Mon-Sun | 10am-5pm
More Info: click here

The above information was valid at the time of publishing. Please contact individual venues for up-to-date information.