Sydney Eat Street: Best places to dine in the Southern Tablelands
Whether it’s fine dining at a beautiful winery, a breakfast roll or fresh pastries at the local cafe, there is so much food to enjoy in the Southern Tablelands.
Eat Street
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Whether it’s overnight or over a week, it’s well worth exploring the Southern Tablelands region with the help of Visit NSW’s five new trails covering some amazing places to eat, drink — and enjoy the views.
Take a tour of Sydney’s best eateries with The Sunday Telegraph’s Eat Street. Are you hungry for more inspiration? Follow us on Instagram or Twitter. #SydneyEatStreet
(*The writer was a guest of Carrington Inn, 59 Ellendon St, Bungenore)
CONTENTIOUS CHARACTER WINERY
There was no contentious debate between four friends when it came to their love of food
and wine: it’s all in the name for Ben Jarrett, Jeremy Wilson, Tony Mansfield, and Ross Appleton.
“Four of us got together, not with any intention of buying a business, but we met over our passion for food and wine,” said Ben.
“We’re close to Canberra and parliament, where debate can be quite contentious, so that’s where Contentious came from. And then, when we talk about wine, we generally talk about ‘character’ like the character of the soil, and how the environment really influences that one.” The winery is about 30 minutes from the nation’s capital and its seasonal changing menu has a little something for everyone. For more information, go to visitnsw.com.au.
— 810 Norton Rd, Wamboin; contentiouscharacter.com.au
PROVISIONS DELI AND BAKERY
This haven of French fare is the younger sibling of the big-sister venue, Mona Farm in Braidwood which was purchased in 2018 by Belinda and Bill Pulver, with a vision to turn the farm into a world-class accommodation property.
They brought on husband/wife team Romy and Julian Besnard to run the show and have expanded into this traditional creperie that also showcases local fare.
There are familiar sweet crepes, savoury offerings and galettes from chef Yann Robinet.
— 56 Wallace St, Braidwood; provisionsbraidwood.com.au
SOUTHERN HARVEST FARMER’S MARKET
Come Saturday in Bungendore, a collection of local and regional producers set up their stalls to sell the fruits of their labour adjacent to St Phillips Anglican Church. Grab a cup of coffee before you peruse the grounds.
Linger a bit and have a chat with some of the stallholders. Not only will you get some cooking tips, but you’ll also get a sense of the love and labour that goes into each product.
Stock up on leafy greens and say hey to Geoff Forster of Jerrabatt Gully. Those freshly picked veggies might even entice you to subscribe to his produce boxes, a collection of that day’s best bunch.
Scott Williams of Bees R Us can tell you about the subtle difference in each honey produced by the bees collecting from the many flowers and trees around Braidwood.
For vendors that can’t make it, the community stall will sell all sorts of local products, including Braidwood Pasta, Dot’s Homemade Jam, Anthony’s sauces, and more. And it’s run by other producers, so they can also give you some insights.
Don’t forget to stop by and see Jillian, Dan and Madison, Head of Value Life Farm, for ethically farmed pigs and goats; plus, they make a mean sausage and egg roll. (Saturdays, 9am-12pm).
— Cnr Butmaroo St & Gibraltar St, Bungendore; southernharvest.org.au
LERIDA ESTATE
There is the view over the vineyard towards Lake George, cafe tables along the vines, a lunch menu that ranges from cakes and coffee to a three-course meal, and then, of course, there’s wine.
Award-winning wines, actually.
Lerida Estate is a destination unto itself, but as General Manager Andrew McFadzean notes, it’s also a perfect pit stop between Sydney and Canberra.
“Lots of people stop on the way home to Canberra, get a glass of wine, sit and relax, and suddenly, images of that long trip are behind you, and you’re home in half an hour,” he says. Those with a bit more time (or a designated driver) stay for a tasting of their cool-climate wines and a generously-sized grazing board that includes house-smoked meats and olives.
“We have our own small kitchen garden, which supplies the kitchen,” says Andrew.
“We have blackberries, peaches, apples and chestnuts planted around the vineyard.”
— 87 The Vineyards Rd, Collector; leridaestate.com.au
THE GATHERING CAFE
The stream of customers, (including those of the canine variety), begins the moment the doors open each morning and continues right through to closing bell.
Whether it’s busy professionals, hungry tradies, or mums with prams, The Gathering Cafe, is exactly what it claims to be: a central point for both locals and tourists to meet up.
Here, there’s also the added bonus of great coffee, and diverse menu featuring locally sourced ingredients with elevated takes on popular breakfast and lunch dishes such as corn fritters, granola, eggs Benedict, and even lamb chops.
The perpetually full cafe with its polished shabby chic appeal is the work of former corporate executive, Telisha Geppert (nee Summerfield).
What started out as a small cafe, soon developed a loyal customer base that outgrew the space, so she along with her husband, Nathan Geppert, a builder, expanded the venue by taking over the two adjoining shops of this heritage building.
But while they’ve grown three-fold, the quality of the food, the welcoming staff, and friendly service that garnered them their initial following has stayed exactly the same as they day they first opened those big wooden doors.
— 12 Gibraltar Rd, Bungendore; thegatheringbungendore.com
SOME CAFE
In a tiny town such as Collector, it’s pretty much a given that you’ll know your neighbours, but something that Lucy Stevens and partner Oliver Chiswell, owners of Some Cafe noticed is that there wasn’t necessarily a place for locals to meet.
“Originally, we opened up down at the hall on Sunday. We just did a potluck for locals,” says Lucy, adding that they then began to offer coffee, pastries, and toasties.
Not long thereafter, they added Saturdays, and sometimes on weekdays.
“When asked, we’d tell people we’re open some days, and some days not. Thus, Some Cafe,” she says.
In the original brief, Oliver’s mum insisted that there had to be great coffee.
“Coffee is really important. Mum and dad love it, and the [cafe] culture,” Oliver says.
“There used to be a great coffee in town, but it closed so then there wasn’t much like for that for locals to kind of just come together for a chat. I think people like the habit of like going out for coffee; the whole experience of it.
“My mum will make coffee at home, but when she comes to Some Cafe, she refers to ours as ‘real coffees’.”
The initial menu wasn’t much different from their original pop-up – coffee, toasties, and pastries, only just now, everything has gotten a bit more refined.
“It’s all very simple clean meals but done well,” says Oliver.
Though the offerings have grown, their emphasis on sustainability remains – locally suppliers and ethically sourced products that are RSPCA approved such as the bacon for their coveted ham toastie. Any other fave on the menu is their delicious muesli made with nuts, seeds, and coconut roasted in tahini with a compote made by nearby neighbour.
“She is just a fantastic grower. She makes jams that we sell but we also buy whatever we can, for our menu.”
Additionally, it’s not uncommon to receive a bucket of vegetables such as zucchinis which they’ll pickle and then add to sandwiches and salads.
While you’re there, be sure to visit their adjoining shop “Some Shop”, a full room of their housemade products and a large range of local gifts and food products, including a selection of wines from Collector Wines.
— 5-7 Murray St, Collector; somecafecollector.com
TRAPPERS BAKERY
Like so many good stories do, the tale of Trapper Bakery begins around a campfire. By his account, young Keith Woodman (aka The Trapper) and his father Bill had returned from a day trapping rabbits, when Keith pulled out a camp oven and began making damper.
Fast forward and a few jobs later, that niggle of baking made itself known and Keith took the leap and purchased an established bakery in Braidwood.
His daughter Jeanette says: “I think he just sort of had it in the back of his mind that he wanted to own a bakery.”
First came bread and then with the establishment of Trappers Bakery, a focus on their award-winning pies and pastries.
As long-time residents of the area, the Woodman family is committed to supporting the community by not only buying locally sourced products – they actually split the orders for meat between a couple butchers so as to “share the love” – but also through community outreach.
“We try to foster a supportive environment for all our staff,” says Jeanette.
Whether you’re passing through or live in the area, Trappers Bakery (located practically in the shadow of The Big Merino) is a must for delicious, fresh-from-the-oven pies and sausage rolls and classic midmorning sweets.
— 4 Sowerby St, Goulburn; trappersbakery.com.au
CAFE WOOD WORKS
Before you venture out and explore the Southern Tablelands, stop into Cafe Wood Works (which also doubles as an art gallery) for breakfast, or if you’re passing through, drop in for lunch.
Here, you’ll be served up generous portions of cafe classics including eggs Benedict, stacked pancakes, and avocado on toast. If you’re around Friday and Saturday evening, they also serve dinner
— 20 Malbon St, Bungendore; cafewoodworks.com.au
WHAT’S FRESH
ALBION CAFE
If it’s on the menu at The Albion Cafe, it has most likely come from a local producer – owners Bridgette and Brendan Sly’s own garden (or their friends and families).
“We make everything from scratch, except for the bread,” Brendan says.
Like any cafe or restaurant, some dishes are always on offer, but as Bridgette’s menu is produce-driven, she regularly creates specials from whatever the gardens give up that day.
A recent highlight (which gets a bit of rotation when she can get her hands on the ingredients) is her lentil soup.
“It’s a Syrian recipe I picked up in Melbourne,” Bridgette says.
Much of the menu is vegetarian, as that’s just what Bridgette likes to eat, but Brendan notes that “by no means is she rigid or strict about it”.
“It’s just what she prefers, and those dishes shine on the menu. But then, so does the bacon breakfast roll. Bridgette’s twist is the garlic aioli on it.”
The Albion Cafe began as a bit of a reprieve from their previously high-stress careers – Brendan, managing large resorts and hotels and Bridgette, helming the kitchens of hatted restaurants in Melbourne, and that’s before the three restaurants down by the bay in Victoria.
The pair bid the long hours farewell and welcomed a child. And Brendan said both stressful jobs with long hours and late nights, but their child changed that, and 10 years on, the heritage-listed building in this heritage-listed town is now home.
— 4/119 Wallace St, Braidwood; thealbionbraidwood.com.au
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