By Ellen Hill - Blue Mountains Tourism.
Whether you make it your weekend getaway theme or visit one or two, there’s a range of foodie options to last your entire duration with the Blue Mountains’ foodie reputation continuing with newcomers and locals alike. Guest article writer, Ellen Hill has previously discussed a local's guide to the region, but here she points us towards her favourite places to eat and drink when visiting the Blue Mountains.
Arrana uses Indigenous ingredients in Springwood, there’s Tempus in Katoomba and child-free No. 1 Sublime Pt at the Fairmont Resort are standouts alongside perennial favourite Darleys at Lilianfels Resort in Katoomba.
Photo: Darleys
Sometimes you just hanker for something more casual and Cortado Café at Lawson and The Family (aka Katoomba Family Hotel) hit the mark.
In Katoomba, there’s low and slow-smoked meats and chunky grills at Bootlegger Bar and Blue Mountains Gin Parlour at the Avalon Restaurant, while Lot101 ups the ante in the Megalong Valley.
There are bottomless bevs (pants required) at Blaxland; tapas, whisky and wine at Springwood; a secret speakeasy to the side of the Fairmont Resort in Leura; and the region’s first brew pub in Mountain Culture Brewing Co in Katoomba.
Photo: Arrana
Champagne Charlie’s under the stained-glass dome in the Carrington Hotel is a great gathering place and the Old City Bank is good for craft drinks, casual nosh and weekend live music.
Further up, there are new bars, restaurants and live music joints at Blackheath like the revamped New Ivanhoe Hotel (The Ivy to us locals).
Grab a homemade choc-top while you watch an arthouse movie at Mount Vic Flicks or food made to Country Women's Associate recipes at Victoria Tea Rooms at Mt Victoria.
Photo: No.1 Sublime Pt
From organised activities with outdoor adventure guides, day spas and even ice skating, the Blue Mountains continues to attract visitors as it has done for more than a Century.
To me, there’s nothing better than grabbing a box of street food from 8Things in Katoomba, a bottle of local plonk and watching in silence a circling cockatoo gives a last squawk as the sun slides beyond the horizon and the landscape fades from gold to purple, then black.
Follow a readymade itinerary or tailor your own perfect Blue Mountains getaway with the itinerary planner at https://www.visitbluemountains.com.au/plan/itineraries.
