A Food Lover’s Weekend in Katoomba: Cafés, Bakeries & Long Lunches
Katoomba is the vibrant, cool, art deco suburb of the Blue Mountains, and thus is sheer foodie heaven. Whether you are on the hunt for the perfect coffee, a spot for long lunch with your friends or a fine-dining dinner, Katoomba has an abundance of cafes, bakeries and restaurants to choose from which will ensure the travelling foodie will not just enjoy a weekend getaway in Katoomba, but be thinking about the eats for years to come.
Below we have everything, from the budget friendly to the expensive to the unique: add this list to your Blue Mountains food guide for the very best cafes and restaurants in Katoomba.
Breakfast - cafes and bakeries
Black Cockatoo Bakery
It wouldn’t be a weekend getaway in Katoomba without a stop at the infamous Black Cockatoo Bakery. Widely considered the best bakery in the Blue Mountains, Black Cockatoo is a must-visit for breakfast.
Read more: Our favourite bakeries
Pomegranate
Pomegranate - voted the number one cafe in Katoomba by TripAdvisor - is a wholesome, hearty and utterly delicious spot for a perfect all-day breakfast. The food, the coffee and the cosy vibes are perfect if you’re after just some really great food to start your day, which makes it one of the best cafes in Katoomba.
Cassiopeia Coffee
Calling all coffee fiends! Cassiopeia is a legendary roaster serving up their own beans (which you can also purchase, and we recommend you do!) alongside a perfectly curated menu of bites. Opening at 6 am every day, Cassiopeia is the perfect way to start your day of adventures in the Blue Mountains.
Lunch
8Things
8Things follows a simple yet delicious concept perfectly executed: “around the world in 8 dishes.” Essentially, their menu serves eight dishes from eight different countries, all focusing on traditional street food with delicious blends of rich and fresh flavours.
Read more: The Ultimate Katoomba / Leura Wedding Itinerary
Mountain Culture Beer Co
Mountain Culture Beer Co brewpub in Katoomba is the perfect place for you and big group of friends to go and hang out for a long lunch. Perfect vibes, great food and even better beer, Mountain Culture is the spot to relax with a pint and a burger. Oh and in case you needed more convincing, in 2023 their Katoomba Brewpub was voted Australia’s best brewery venue in New South Wales!
The Bowery
From the fabulous team that bought you Avalon Restaurant and Cocktail Bar (also on this list!) has taken the inside of a Federation Romanesque-style church and turned it into yet another unique dining and entertainment venue called The Bowery. The vibes are cool, chill and fun, with both a dining hall and a leafy courtyard (perfect for summer) not to mention an ever-changing and delicious menu that uses locally sourced and seasonal ingredients.
Also open for brunch!
Basil Nut Cafe and Restaurant
Who doesn’t love just a really good Thai? Basil Nut has been an absolute institution in the Blue Mountains for 10 years, and is one of the best restaurants in Katoomba. Nothing super fancy, just really good food that will leave you feeling satisfied. Open for lunch and dinner with an extensive menu.
Pho Moi
Another restaurant to add to your list that is budget friendly with fine dining quality is Vietnamese eatery Pho Moi - one of the best kept secrets of Katoomba. The chef, Tai, is from Ho Chi Minh City and has been cooking Vietnamese in Sydney for years. Luckily (for the people of the Blue Mountains) choosing to settle in Katoomba and eventually open Pho Moi.
Open for lunch and dinner, this small spot is famous for their authentic Vietnamese noodle soup phở as well as traditional Vietnamese coffee. This little spot only sits 30 people and doesn’t take reservations, however is an absolute must visit for some good authentic Asian food that won’t break the bank.
Dinner & Drinks
Bootlegger
Bootlegger is where southern barbecue and cajun flavours come together in what is the most mouth-watering experience in the Blue Mountains. Whether you plan on going with a big group of friends or the looking for the perfect indulgent takeout for your weekend away, Bootlegger is one of the best restaurants in Katoomba that isn’t fine dining, and yet will not disappoint.
Oh, and their cocktails are something else!
Avalon
Katoomba is absolutely the artsy area of the Blue Mountains, and boy does Avalon Restaurant & Bar live up to its quirky reputation! This restaurant is all whimsy and fun with art deco interiors, but the food is seriously delicious and their cocktails utterly divine. Avalon is a must-visit restaurant in Katoomba.
Rustico
On the hunt for great Italian in the Blue Mountains, or simply just in the mood for some pizza? Then Rustico is your go-to dinner spot for authentic Italian food, wood-fired Naples style pizza and seriously good pasta.
Open for dinner only, if you’re after more of a relaxed dinner vibe that’s perfect for sharing with friends, then we recommend Rustico.
Tempus
Last (but certainly not least) we have Tempus. When you ask a fellow foodie where to eat in Katoomba, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who wouldn’t recommend this absolutely gorgeous spot. Combining a fine dining menu with homey interiors, Tempus is absolutely worth the extra splash of cash - especially if you’re celebrating a special occasion and looking for an elevated dining experience in the Mountains.
If there is one restaurant in Katoomba we recommend, it’s this one.
In even better news, Tempus is also open for breakfast! The menu is reasonably priced and delicious.
Read more: The best set menus under $100 in the Blue Mountains
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