The Best Restaurants in the Southern Highlands for a Special Occasion
Celebrating a special occasion and looking for the best restaurants in the Southern Highlands? We’ve got you!
From long lunches in Bowral to candlelit dinners in Berrima, Southern Highlands dining is country chic at it’s finest and the perfect place to celebrate.
We’ve broken down the very best dining experiences by location and occasion, because you deserve it!
Already know what you’re looking for?
Top picks for romantic restaurants → jump to our list here
Best long lunch spots → jump to our list here
Fine dining restaurants → jump to our list here
Best for…
A quick-fire round-up of the best special occasion restaurants in the Southern Highlands.
Romantic dinner → Eschalot Restaurant
Long lunch → Lucette
Group celebrations → Bendooley Estate
Fine dining → Hordens Restaurant
Romantic Restaurants in the Southern Highlands
Looking for romantic restaurants in the Southern Highlands? From the intimate to the refined to the utterly charming, there is a place for every vibe where you and your loved one can toast to one another.
Eschalot – Berrima
Why it’s special: Eschalot, in the historic town of Berrima, combines old school country charm with fine dining. Intimate, elevated and beautiful, step inside this heritage listed stone cottage for paddock-to-plate dining worth celebrating.
The vibe: Romantic and elegant.
What to order: The menu is constantly changing as per the seasons, so if you don’t know what to choose and are after the best of the best, the chefs menu is a great choice.
Perfect for: An anniversary lunch or dinner.
Lucette – Bowral
Why it’s special: No one does romance quite like the French and at Lucette, traditional french dining delightfully meets neighbourhood Bowral charm. Channel your inner Parisian as you people watch on the High Street with an excellent bottle of wine and some classic French food.
The vibe: Chic and refined.
What to order: The mussels are to die for, but you also cannot miss ‘steak frites’ Sundays!
Perfect for: An intimate birthday celebration.
Bistro Sociale – Bowral
Why it’s special: Relaxed fine dining meets timeless classics. Bistro Sociale inside Berida Hotel is a little taste of Britain in the Southern Highlands, offering good food and excellent cocktails.
The vibe: Cosy with old school charm.
What to order: Choose from one of their premium steaks straight from the grill and you won’t be disappointed.
Perfect for: A date night.
Looking for something more casual? → Best breakfast’s in Bowral
Best for Long Lunches
Nothing (and we mean nothing) hits quite like a long, lazy lunch. The drinks are flowing, the food is shared and the conversation is endless. The perfect long lunch needs the ideal location, somewhere you can happily sit and just enjoy the beautiful surrounds for hours on end. Here are our top picks for long lunches in the Southern Highlands:
Bendooley Estate – Berrima
Why it’s special: There is so much more to Bendooley Estate than it’s premium wines and gorgeous platters, it is home to a legendary book barn that will have you browsing well into the afternoon. Between the gardens, the books and the wine, you and your group of friends could waste the day away in this slice of heaven.
The vibe: Warm and relaxed.
What to order: Our recommendation comes in the form of drinks as Bendooley Estate is also a winery, with their riesling included in the Top 10 Riesling at the International Riesling Challenge and their Pinot Noir voted Best Pinot Noir in Australia at the Australian Pinot Noir Challenge.
Perfect for: A get-together with a group of friends.
Three Blue Ducks – Burradoo
Why it’s special: ‘Honest food, good people and the simple things done really well’ is the Three Blue Ducks motto, and their new Burradoo Park Farm certainly delivers on that promise. Surrounded by working farmland, Three Blue Ducks in Burradoo is an experience, and one we highly recommend.
The vibe: Fun and relaxed.
What to order: Allow us a non-menu based suggestion: after you’re done eating, grab a cup of coffee and go walk the paddocks of this working farm!
Perfect for: Birthday, Mother’s Day or a similarly special celebration.
Harry’s on Green Lane – Bowral
Why it’s special: Harry’s on Green Lane is quintessentially ‘Bowral’, where you dine surrounded floor to ceiling with books. This European style restaurant is right next to the absolutely iconic antique store Dirty Janes.
The vibe: Comforting and charming.
What to order: In the winter, whatever soup is on special.
Perfect for: Date day with a side shopping adventure.
Planning a weekend? → Our Bowral weekender guide
Fine Dining Dinner Spots in Bowral & Beyond
If you’re in the mood to really splurge and treat yourself to an experience, than the fine dining in the Southern Highlands is the perfect place to do so. Chic, modern and delicious, these spots are not to be missed if you’re in the mood for something truly special.
Horderns at Milton Park– Bowral
Why it’s special: The newly renovated Ardour Milton Park Bowral has ushered in a new era of dining into old school Bowral, and boy are we thrilled about it. New executive chef Mark Holland (ex-Nomad, Paddington Inn, and Box Tree UK), is at the helm of this vibrant, modern and delicious feast for the senses. Horderns redefines what special means, so if you really want to treat yourself there is no better spot.
The vibe: Sophisticated and luxe.
What to order: Horderns has a one-of-a-kind charcuterie and cheese room (yes, you read that right). Expect to be guided through the unique artisan meats and small batch cheeses you can’t find anywhere else.
Perfect for: A very special occasion.
Fire Kitchen – Bundanoon
Why it’s special: Latin America has found a home in the Southern Highlands with Fire Kitchen. Sitting on the lush grounds of boutique hotel Osborn House, expect your taste buds to go international as food is cooked over flames in the traditional Latin style, and all designed to be shared.
The vibe: Relaxed fine dining with flare.
What to order: If you plan to be a guest at the hotel, see if you can align your stay with their monthly Fire Feast, hosted by Osborn House, which brings guests together for an immersive open-fire dining experience.
Perfect for: Group celebration.
Staying overnight? → A list of Southern Highland Stays for Couples
Planning your trip? Start here:
Where to stay → The Best Boutique Hotels & Stays in the Southern Highlands
A full weekend guide → A Weekend in Bowral: Where to Eat, Drink & Wander
Where the locals eat → Where to eat breakfast in Bowral
FAQ’s
(Everything you want to know, answered)
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Depending on mood and budget, we recommend Lucette, Bendooley Estate, Three Blue Ducks or Horderns Restaurant.
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There are so many places. Our favourites are (in no particular order): Eschalot, Horderns, Lucette, Julien’s, Fire Kitchen, Ethos, Oliver’s, and Bistro Sociale.
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Yes. Don’t try and wing it!
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Plenty! The list of fine dining includes: Paste, Horderns, Eschalot, and Fire Kitchen.
Hey you! Don’t forget to finish your planning…
Review our top things to do, best places to eat or keep researching your perfect place to stay below.
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