Southern Highlands food: Best places to eat and drink across the region
With an abundance of top tier restaurants, cafes and bars, you can’t put a fork wrong dining in this region. Let your tastebuds take a tour to Bowral and beyond.
The Bowral News
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The Southern Highlands has always prided itself on providing high quality food and drink, so the region’s status as a culinary destination is no surprise.
From longstanding local favourites to innovative imports, there is a huge range of restaurants, cafes, and bars to choose from in the area.
Here are some of the top picks for places to eat and drink.
THE GUMNUT PATISSERIE
The Gumnut Patisserie is a beloved institution in the Highlands and it is commonplace to see a line from the bakery doors stretching outside and around the corner.
There are three Gumnut venues in Bowral, Mittagong and Berrima, and each is featured on the region’s famed Pie Trail.
Young chef Josh Nickl won silver at Nestle’s Golden Chef’s Hat Award last year, which is the latest award of many collected by the bakery.
Gumnut Patisserie Bowral
Shop 7, Grand Arcade, Bong Bong St, Bowral
Gumnut Patisserie Mittagong
Corner of Cavendish &, Dalton St, Mittagong
Gumnut Patisserie Berrima
1 Old Hume Hwy, Berrima
To order: gumnutpatisserie.com.au
THE SHAGGY COW
This comfortable cafe embodies the flavour of the Southern Highlands by combining charm and culinary excellence.
The cafe offers a wide range of food that’s all made in-house, as well as coffee and wine pairings.
The cosy Shaggy Cow is highly praised, most recently winning the Regional NSW Casual Dining of the Year Award 2020 and the Regional NSW cafe Dining Award 2020.
“Shaggy Cow has had some industry recognition so that’s been fabulous in getting the Southern Highlands on the map,” says co-owner Elle McCallum.
“It’s really changed over the last seven years and there are some fabulous restaurants and wine bars now.”
Although this year has been tough for restaurants, Ms McCallum says the community has shown the Shaggy Cow a lot of love.
“We’re extremely fortunate and extremely grateful to have the support of our locals,” she said. “If we didn’t have that, we wouldn’t be the Shaggy Cow.”
The Shaggy Cow
112 Main St, Mittagong
To book: theshaggycow.com.au
BURRAWANG VILLAGE HOTEL
It is immediately obvious why the Burrawang is such a favourite destination among locals and visitors alike.
Stepping into the cosy country mansion is like entering a fun Victorian drama, with its sprawling green grounds and well-maintained homestead.
To further create the illusion of a meandering afternoon in the English countryside try the delicious traditional pub food and well-stocked bar.
The Burrawang Hotel is the perfect place to bring friends and family for a long weekend lunch on the lawn.
Burrawang Village Hotel
14-16 Hoddle St, Burrawang
To book: burrawangvillagehotel.com.au
PASTE
There is a reason that Paste is always full of happy-looking guests.
Run by Michelin-starred Bongkoch “Bee” Satongun, who also featured in the Netflix hit documentary series Chef’s Table, the Mittagong restaurant gets creative with the Thai classics you know and love.
The menu also features carefully curated cocktails and a wine list that showcases the best of the local Southern Highlands and international wineries.
Paste
105 Main St, Mittagong
To book: pasteaustralia.com/
ESCHALOT
A rustic sandstone cottage in Berrima is the ideal location for this elegant eatery serving up quality French-Australian fare.
Experienced owners Cass Wallace and Matt Roberts are focused on delivering the best that the region has to offer.
Dishes are made with local produce and are seasonally appropriate in this inviting restaurant.
Eschalot
24 Old Hume Hwy, Berrima
To book: eschalot.com.au/
WINE MOSAIC LOUNGE
What could be more fitting in a wine region like the Southern Highlands than a Wine Bar? Moss Vale’s 60s-inspired Wine Mosaic Lounge has a carefully curated wine menu that draws from the best of local and international vineyards.
Wine Mosaic Lounge
386 Argyle St, Moss Vale NSW
To book: winemosaiclounge.com.au
THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS BREWERY AND TAPHOUSE
The Taphouse in Moss Vale is locally owned and locally loved.
Its craft beers have been lauded at international and domestic shows, with the incredible must-drink Goodfather Porter leading the charge.
To pair with the booze, there is a delicious menu of delicious up-market pub food.
Southern Highlands Brewery and Taphouse
490-494 Argyle St, Moss Vale
To book: southernhighlandsbrewing.com.au
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