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Tempus Katoomba

Sustainability is at the heart of this bolthole.

The dining room.
1 / 6The dining room. Jennifer Soo
Kingfish tartare with capsicum tapenade.
2 / 6Kingfish tartare with capsicum tapenade.Jennifer Soo
Steak with chimichurri.
3 / 6Steak with chimichurri.Jennifer Soo
Halloumi with “burnt apple” puree and fennel jam.
4 / 6Halloumi with “burnt apple” puree and fennel jam.Jennifer Soo
Basque cheesecake.
5 / 6Basque cheesecake.Jennifer Soo
Street-facing windows let in plenty of light.
6 / 6Street-facing windows let in plenty of light. Jennifer Soo

Critics' Pick

Contemporary$$

Katoomba Street might be quiet in the evening, but Tempus, its front window marked by a gilded banksia, is as vibrant as an inner-city bistro.

Locals and out-of-towners fill tables. A couple has a tete-a-tete over tuna carpaccio, adding reserved lemon and plum to every bite. A service dog sits at her owner’s feet, waiting for the slice of sirloin in pepper jus that never falls. Friends reach over one another, using Black Cockatoo sourdough to swipe up almond romesco and burrata.

The Katoomba bakery (head there for excellent croissants and coffee when in town) is just one of the ethical producers Tempus calls a partner, in line with its sustainability ethos. Add an Aussie-only wine list and a weekday brekkie/brunch menu, and we’ll take a Tempus for every main street in the Mountains, please.

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Nearly all produce on the menu is organically grown on-site.

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Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/goodfood/nsw-good-food-guide/tempus-katoomba-20240209-p5f3tu.html