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Sydney's Best Out-of-Town Restaurants, Cafes and Bars for 2023

From regional fine diners to country bakehouses to garden gin distilleries, these are the spots to plan a day trip — or a whole weekend away — around.
By Concrete Playground
May 02, 2023
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By Concrete Playground
May 02, 2023
  shares
List
Map
  • Food & Drink

    Long Point Vineyard & Art Gallery

    A vineyard that combines two of life's finest forms — art and wine.

  • Food & Drink

    Cafe Treeo

    A beloved local cafe along Sawtell's fig tree-lined shopping strip.

  • Food & Drink

    Little Shack

    Visit this all-day eatery at Port Macquarie's breakwall for brekkie tacos, lobster rolls and frozen cocktails.

  • Food & Drink

    La La La's

    A live music dive bar in Wollongong from the Yours and Owls crew.

  • Food & Drink

    Night Parrot Wine Bar

    Sip natural vino and down dumplings at this late-night Wollongong wine bar.

  • Food & Drink

    The Black Cockatoo

    Hiding behind a non-descript door in a retail store is a raucous dive bar with a killer craft beer lineup.

  • Food & Drink

    Kneading Ruby

    This warehouse restaurant has the most OTT garlic bread you'll ever order.

  • Food & Drink

    Two Smoking Barrels Barbecue Joint

    You'll find this Carolina-style low-and-slow barbecue joint smack-bang between two car yards.

  • Food & Drink

    His Boy Elroy

    A laneway bar in Wollongong serving American-style snacks and over 50 types of whisky.

  • Food & Drink

    Lee and Me

    A cosy cafe based in a charming heritage house in the heart of Wollongong.

  • Food & Drink

    Opus Coffee Brewers

    Batch brews, bagels and muffins that'll make even the greatest of cynics happy.

  • Food & Drink

    Lili J

    Start your day with a BLAT croissant or the OG bacon and egg roll at this cosy corner cafe.

  • Food & Drink

    Franks Wild Years

    You'll find this record store, bar and live music venue in the coastal village of Thirroul.

  • Food & Drink

    Resin Brewing

    This south coast brewpub is located in a 130-year-old railway guesthouse.

  • Food & Drink

    The Growers Shoalhaven

    Next time you're driving through Shoalhaven, stop for pulled pork empanadas or a cauliflower burger at this 450-seat indoor-outdoor restaurant.

  • Food & Drink

    Arc. Est

    Order the Corrie Island oysters and a bottle of Australian wine to start your long lunch here.

  • Food & Drink

    Safran

    An award-winning Turkish restaurant in Ettalong.

  • Food & Drink

    Motel Mezza Social Bar

    For Middle Eastern share plates and playful cocktails, make tracks to this Wyong bar and restaurant.

  • Food & Drink

    South End Social

    Gosford’s go-to brunch spot has yuzu spritzes and souvlaki pitas.

  • Travel & Leisure

    Glamping @ Nashdale

    A family-run vineyard with its own luxury glamping cabins among the vines.

  • Food & Drink

    Tropicana Social Club

    Where fun times come with a side of pizza fingers.

  • Food & Drink

    Bar Toto

    Coffee cocktails, antipasti platters and cosy weekend vibes are what you'll find at this Ettalong nook.

  • Food & Drink

    Church Bar

    Head to this former church schoolhouse for cocktails and woodfired pizzas.

  • Food & Drink

    Kew Dining

    Elegant high tea and daily paddock-to-plate café fare found in a bright and contemporary setting.

  • Food & Drink

    Osteria Il Coccia

    Where you'll find flame-cooked flavours with an Italian accent.

  • Food & Drink

    Tathra Hotel

    Order a dozen oysters and a beer from the onsite brewery, then kick back overlooking the ocean.

  • Food & Drink

    Little Creek Cheese

    Sample award-winning cheeses at this boutique cheese factory — then learn to make your own.

  • Food & Drink

    The Savoy Long Jetty

    Drink cocktails in an old movie theatre on the Central Coast.

  • Food & Drink

    Eschalot

    A homey Southern Highlands fine diner serving up fresh, seasonal dishes in a quaint stone cottage.

  • Food & Drink

    The Lucky Bee

    Serving up fiery Southeast Asian fare and fun cocktails by the water.

  • Food & Drink

    Pocket Bar

    A beachside bar serving up top-notch cocktails and fun snacks on the Central Coast.

  • Food & Drink

    Burnt Honey Bakery

    This Central Coast gem dishes up cassia bark and lemon zest custard tarts, flaky croissants and freshly baked sourdough right by the beach.

  • Food & Drink

    Hillbilly Cider Shed

    This Bilpin gem makes award-winning ciders, using local fruit — and local fruit only.

  • Food & Drink

    Jervis Bay Brewing Co

    Park up in the dog-friendly beer garden to sample a bunch of local craft brews.

  • Food & Drink

    Huskisson Hotel

    This Jervis Bay gem has a massive, well-shaded deck and floor-to-ceiling windows — so expect panoramic ocean views.

  • Food & Drink

    Courabyra Wines

    An award-winning winery at the foot of the Snowy Mountains producing cool-climate pinot, chardonnay and sparking.

  • Food & Drink

    Rick Stein at Bannisters Port Stephens

    The celebrity chef's penchant for top-notch seafood continues at this Port Stephens resort.

  • Food & Drink

    Cheeky Dog

    Bannisters Port Stephens' chic (and pet-friendly) casual bar and eatery.

  • Food & Drink

    The Wild Herring

    Enjoy a next-level seafood dinner at The Anchorage's flagship restaurant.

  • Food & Drink

    The Poyer's

    An over-the-water eatery in the sleepy Port Stephens town of Lemon Tree Passage.

  • Food & Drink

    Seabreeze Hotel

    Live music, reliable pub feeds and boutique accommodation in the heart of Nelson Bay.

  • Food & Drink

    Little Beach Boathouse

    The epitome of waterfront dining in Nelson Bay.

  • Food & Drink

    The Little Nel

    Get your weekend away in Nelson Bay off to a good start with brekkie at this local gem.

  • Food & Drink

    Shoal Bay Country Club

    This recently refurbished Port Stephens stalwart delivers holiday vibes in droves.

  • Food & Drink

    The Gunyah Restaurant at Paperbark Camp

    Dine in this adult treehouse in Jervis Bay.

  • Food & Drink

    Milkwood Bakery

    Fresh pastries, sourdough bread and a cheery brunch menu from the team that brought you Berry Sourdough Cafe.

  • Food & Drink

    Diggies Kiama

    This out-of-town coastal cafe is right near the spectacular Kiama Blowhole.

  • Food & Drink

    The Marshmallow Co.

    A dessert bar with more than 25 homemade marshmallow flavours located in a historic Wyong building.

  • Food & Drink

    Hampden Deli

    An ex-Quay chef is serving up inventive brunches and road trip-worthy pastries in the Kangaroo Valley.

  • Food & Drink

    Hyper Hyper Coffee

    This South Coast cafe does 1950s-style coffee done properly: dark, rich and strong.

  • Food & Drink

    The Treehouse Cafe

    Generous, good-hearted fare in a country cottage on the South Coast.

  • Food & Drink

    Native

    Healthy brekkies and lunches overlooking Ulladulla Harbour.

  • Food & Drink

    Milk Haus

    A road-trip worthy organic cafe in the South Coast hinterland.

  • Food & Drink

    The Treat Factory & Dairy Bar

    Gelato made with local milk and OTT desserts.

  • Food & Drink

    Husk Farm Distillery

    Australia’s first paddock-to-bottle agricole rum distillery, nestled into northern New South Wales.

  • Food & Drink

    The Boathouse Hotel Patonga

    Here, you can enjoy vibrant fare — from breakfast through dinner — and frozen watermelon margaritas right on the water.

  • Food & Drink

    Krinklewood Estate

    A cellar door with certified organic drops and sweeping views across the Brokenback Range.

  • Food & Drink

    Bendooley Estate

    An opulent, 200-acre property with Italian varieties and a bookshop.

  • Food & Drink

    Hungerford Hill

    An architecturally stunning cellar door with a two-hatted restaurant.

  • Food & Drink

    Silos Estate

    This old dairy farm is home to a cellar door with an art gallery and a farm-to-table restaurant.

  • Food & Drink

    Lowe Family Wine Co

    Organic wines served in a stunning vineyard with panoramic views of Mudgee.

  • Food & Drink

    Ross Hill Wines

    Visit this carbon neutral winery in Orange for cooking classes and a cherry blossom orchard.

  • Food & Drink

    Philip Shaw Wines

    Find award-winning, cool climate drops and woodfired pizza served in a bluestone barn.

  • Food & Drink

    Illawarra Brewing Company Brewhouse

    Take a tour at this Wollongong microbrewery — then try the beer from the source.

  • Food & Drink

    Hope Estate

    A sprawling vineyard in the Hunter with a winery, brewery and huge outdoor events space.

  • Food & Drink

    FogHorn Brewhouse

    American eats, fresh brews and live tunes in Newcastle.

  • Food & Drink

    Five Barrel Brewing

    Sink milkshake IPAs and hibiscus-infused brews at this Wollongong brewery.

  • Food & Drink

    Murray's Craft Brewing Co

    Road trip to this Port Stephens brewery for cheeseburger spring rolls and Coco Pops-inspired porter.

  • Food & Drink

    Bay Rd Brewing

    A sprawling craft brewery and pub in the heart of Gosford.

  • Food & Drink

    Glee Coffee Roasters Chapman

    A speciality coffee hot spot located in a sprawling, historic Wyong building.

  • Food & Drink

    The Fat Goose

    A Central Coast go-to for fresh bread, pies and hearty breakfasts.

  • Food & Drink

    Flour & Co

    A family-run cafe and bakery on the Central Coast.

  • Food & Drink

    Lords of Pour

    Ettalong Beach's home of specialty coffee and B&E rolls.

  • Food & Drink

    Like Minds

    A zero-waste Central Coast cafe and creative hub.

  • Food & Drink

    EXP Restaurant

    A destination winery restaurant worth a road trip up to the Hunter.

  • Food & Drink

    Cottage Point Inn

    A fine diner right on the water at Cowan Creek.

  • Food & Drink

    Six String Brewing Company

    The Central Coast's original craft brewery.

  • Food & Drink

    Tonic

    One of the Orange region's best seasonal fine diners.

  • Food & Drink

    Distillery Botanica

    A stunning garden distillery on the Central Coast.

  • Food & Drink

    8Things

    A BYO eatery with an eclectic mix of street food.

  • Lily's Pad Cafe

    Standout breads baked in-house and a dog-friendly courtyard.

  • Food & Drink

    Red Door Cafe

    A homey cafe off Leura Mall with a host of healthy alternatives.

  • Food & Drink

    Flour Water Salt

    A Bowral bakery worth a road trip.

  • Food & Drink

    Woy Woy Fishermen's Wharf

    Head to Woy Woy and enjoy just-caught seafood (and standout fish and chips) by the water.

  • Food & Drink

    Pearls on the Beach

    Hatted dining with beachfront views on the Central Coast.

  • Food & Drink

    Saddles

    The Central Coast's stunning bush restaurant and bakehouse.

  • Food & Drink

    Kickaboom

    A sleek cafe serving up the best brews in the Blue Mountains.

  • Food & Drink

    Young Barons

    A spaghetti and spritz bar on the Central Coast worth travelling for.

  • Food & Drink

    Berowra Waters Inn

    Refinement in a bush setting proves that Berowra Waters Inn hasn't finished making history yet.

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