10 Charming Blue Mountains Cafes To Try Now

From excellent coffee to comforting dishes and cheerful hospitality, these much-loved Blue Mountains cafes will fuel, nourish and delight.

Set yourself up for good dining on your next sojourn to the Blue Mountains with this list of the top places to enjoy a sunny breakfast, casual lunch or relaxed dinner. From a forest-fringed afternoon tea in a glasshouse to a retro-inspired diner, and hip coffee haunts, our edit will ensure you eat (and drink) well at every meal.

1. 8 Things

Travel the globe in eight delicious dishes at this Katoomba eatery . Chef Misha Laurent has compiled her menu based on street food favourites, ranging from an Indian dosa to a Balinese nasi goreng.

a table-top view of food at 8 Things — Make a pitstop at 8 Things. (Image: @lauren.commens)

They may be from different corners of the earth, but they all share one commonality – they’re thoroughly full-flavoured and robustly delicious. Just like all classic street eats, the eight things are fast, freshly made and crave-worthy.

a person holding food at 8 Things, Katoomba — Satisfy your hunger with the classic street eats at 8 Things. (Image: @lauren.commens)

Location: 133 Katoomba Street, Katoomba.

2. Frankly, My Dear

Fancy a bagel with your coffee? You’re in luck at this good vibes- and good times-oriented café in Katoomba. Run by local coffee power couple, Dylan and Alisha of Glenbrook’s Kickaboom (see below), you’ll find the same bright and breezy hospitality and dedication to a good cuppa at Frankly, My Dear as you will at their first establishment.

Enjoy your brew with a hand-rolled bagel stuffed with the likes of salmon, avo or pastrami, as well as treats, such as housemade banana bread and cakes.

the breakfast menu at Frankly My Dear, Katoomba — A delectable breakfast menu is available at Frankly, My Dear. (Image: Time Out/Destination NSW)

Location: 195 Katoomba Street, Katoomba

3. Cassiopeia

Bean devotees can pick up the scent of a beautifully brewed coffee from great distances. Luckily, with Cassiopeia’s three espresso bars and a roastery , this mountain-born coffee brand is never far away.

the Cassiopeia cafe in the Blue Mountains — Swing by Cassiopeia to grab a bite of your breakfast favourites.

Established in 2006, Cassiopeia’s specialty brews are sourced from the best-quality beans across the globe to service the Mountains community and beyond. You can caffeinate at Katoomba, Springwood and Windsor, where you may sip and grab a bite, as well as purchase beans to take home.

an avocado toast at Cassiopeia, Blue Mountains — Refuel with avocado toast and coffee at Cassiopeia.

Location: 79 Lurline Street, Katoomba; 2/127 Macquarie Road, Springwood; 3/200 George Street, Windsor; roastery 3/59 Megalong Street, Katoomba

4. Black Cockatoo Bakery

For golden, flaky croissants fresh from the oven paired with excellent coffee, make a pit-stop at one of the two Black Cockatoo locales before any mountain adventure.

a pastry on a plate topped with nuts and strawberries at Black Cockatoo Bakery — Bite sweet and savoury pastries at Black Cockatoo Bakery.

At this local go-to, dedication to the craft is at the heart of everything kneaded and baked, so you won’t be able to leave without a loaf of organic, stoneground sourdough bread tucked under your arm. While you’re at it, you may as well grab a few pastries to fuel any bush walks or fireside reading sessions, too.

a close-up photo of bread on a plate at Black Cockatoo Bakery — Dig into soft and indulgent treats at Black Cockatoo Bakery.

Location: Shop 1/1 Staples Crescent, Lawson; 165 Katoomba Street, Katoomba

5. The Wayzgoose Diner

The Wayzgoose Diner creates comfort food made from scratch with local produce and served with a fun colour palette of green gingham tablecloths and sorbet-pink cups. It’s delicious, diner-style fare, from toasties and burgers to bagels, lasagne, waffles, and, because it’s the mountains, scones served in a flowerpot.

burger and fries with ketchup on the plate at The Wayzgoose Diner — Try the burger and fries combo at The Wayzgoose Diner.

It’s a menu that seems to suggest there’s nothing that can’t be improved with a squirt of fluffy cream or tomato ketchup, so walk on in for rib-sticking favourites.

food with a fun colour palette of green gingham tablecloths and sorbet-pink cups at The Wayzgoose Diner — The Wayzgoose Diner serves food with a fun colour palette of green gingham tablecloths and sorbet-pink cups.

Location: 174 Leura Mall, Leura

6. The Bunker

Now with three locations in the mountains – Springwood, Leura and Mulgoa – The Bunker has firmly cemented itself as a veritable institution. It’s the classics done well with nothing ultra-fancy, but everything exceedingly delicious.

the cafe exterior of The Bunker, Blue Mountains — Head to The Bunker for a delicious brunch.

From the eponymous breakfast burger to the lamb ragu and burgers come lunch, and share plates of chicken bao and prawn tacos, as well as larger serves such as baked barramundi and Moroccan chicken, at dinner, there’s something to please all, no matter what time you amble in.

burgers, fries and lamb ragu at The Bunker, Blue Mountains — The Bunker has loads of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Location: Shop 8 and 9, 150 Macquarie Road, Springwood; 117–121 Leura Mall, Leura; 1319 Mulgoa Road, Mulgoa

7. Sorensen’s Glasshouse

An icon of the mountains, this nursery and cafe is an idyllic spot to take a window seat and gaze out to the forest beyond. The floor-to-ceiling glass building makes you feel a little like you’re dining in a cloche, or, say a glasshouse, but what’s on display is not you, rather it’s the scenery beyond.

Enjoy breakfast and lunch every day, such as a rainbow felafel bowl or Sorensen’s garden breakfast, and browse the local wares for sale in the shop.

plants on display inside Sorensen’s Glasshouse — The plants on display add a warm touch to the cafe’s interior.

Location: 8 Herbet Street, Leura

8. Hounslow

From breakfast served with a perfected cold drip coffee to lunch with a chilled fine wine and, between Thursday and Sunday nights, dinner and a cocktail, this Blackheath favourite is an almost-all-day diner and the place to sit and savour. You could begin the day with a kipfler Spanish omelette, then stretch your legs and return at midday for the grilled broccoli toastie, before reprising your table at dinner for Korean barbecue pork belly and a bespoke cocktail.

Location: 25 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath

9. Kickaboom

The menu at this Glenbrook cafe operates in the light and shade of a balanced diet. On one side, choose from chia granola at breakfast and a soba noodle bowl for lightness at lunch or, on the more indulgent spectrum, allocate your daily calorie intake to the decadent fried chicken waffle.

the cafe exterior of Kickaboom, Glenbrook — Drop by Kickaboom for your daily caffeine fix. (Image: Liam Foster)

With owner Dylan Johnson having cut his teeth at some of Surry Hills’ most iconic cafes, you can expect everything to be just as it should be.

an empty seat at Kickaboom, Glenbrook — Sip great coffee with friends at Kickaboom. (Image: Liam Foster)

Address: 6 Ross Street, Glenbrook

10. The Grumpy Baker

This big city import from Sydney’s Oxford Street looks as though it has always occupied the weatherboard shopfront of its Bilpin digs. Swing by daily for a baked goodie, such as a traditional sourdough loaf, pain au chocolat or chocolate brownie, enjoyed with a Single O coffee at the window seat as the sun beams in. It’s the perfect way to fuel your mountain explorations.

the cafe exterior at The Grumpy Baker, Blue Mountains — Get your breakfast fix at The Grumpy Baker.

Location: 2481 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin

For more inspiration on where to eat and drink, read our pick of the best restaurants in Katoomba, and nearby in Blackheath.

The heavens take centre stage at this Outback NSW glamping lodge.

Crane your neck. Look up. If it’s nighttime in a major Australian city, you might see a faint dusting of stars. Now imagine yourself out in the bush. Here, those stars aren’t just scattered dots – instead, they’re smudged across the sky in endless, glittering streaks. Welcome to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit , a new glamping lodge in one of the most picturesque corners of outback NSW.

Between its eight stargazing tents, Gilay Guest Lounge, and shared tales of the Dreamtime night sky, this retreat is designed to exist in harmony with the breathtaking lake and surrounding landscape. Intrigued? Here’s everything you need to know.

Bathed in warm light, a couple watches the sun dip beyond the horizon. — Watch the sky melt into magic at Wilderluxe.

Getting to Wilderluxe Lake Keepit

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit is in the NSW Northern Tablelands, bordered by the Great Dividing Range. The lake itself is hard to miss: this mammoth body of water is two-thirds the size of Sydney Harbour.

Just 40 minutes from Tamworth and close to Gunnedah, it’s on the inland route between Sydney and Byron Bay. Drive or take one of the daily flights to Tamworth’s airport.

Aerial view of Wilderluxe. — Let vast waters and towering ranges set the scene for your escape.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit rooms

Don’t settle for a paltry room when you can sleep directly under the cosmos. Wilderluxe offers eight domed ‘Star Tents’ , all named after Aboriginal sky stories – like Djirri Djirri, the sacred messenger bird, Baiame, the Sky Father and great creator, and Dhinawan, the Emu in the Sky constellation.

On a clear night, use your tent’s retractable roof for gazing above or wander to the outdoor bathtub on your private deck to soak under the night sky. No need to go anywhere. You can stay put come evening with a kitchenette inside and a gas barbecue on the deck.

A couple gazes up at a sky ablaze with stars at Wilderluxe. — Sleep beneath the stars.

Style and character

When it comes to aesthetics, Wilderluxe Lake Keepit stays on trend. The encampment blends with its surroundings, building up layers of minimalist visuals that mirror the ever-changing curves of the water.

Earthy tones, natural materials and timber finishes also anchor the retreat in its bushland surrounds. It’s enough to deepen the sense of calm you’ll experience as you drive off-grid, and this is only heightened as you spot kangaroos grazing at dawn or hear the chatter of native birds by the lake.

The dreamy sunset at Wilderluxe. — Go off-grid in style at Wilderluxe Lake Keepit.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit dining

‘Dinner and a show’ hits differently with the property’s Big Sky dinner experience . Hosted in the Gilay Lounge, enjoy complimentary drinks and a grazing table with the host, followed by a screening of Big Sky Dreaming, a film produced exclusively for Wilderluxe guests in which Kamilaroi storyteller Uncle Len Waters narrates tales of the Dreaming above.

Once your imagination has been fed, it’s time to take a seat fireside for a glass of Australian port and a serving of s’mores.

Keen to explore the wider area? Staff can provide barbecue and picnic hampers, stuffed with regional meats, cheeses and organic local fare.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit facilities

While you could very well spend all your time in your tent, sometimes it’s time to hit pause on the celestial show. Instead, make your way up to the Gilay Guest Lounge, where you can relax on the deck overlooking the lake or the outdoor fire pits. It’s a great way to unwind and clink glasses with other stargazers.

The Gilay Lounge with the view of the lake. — Unwind by the fire and raise a glass at Gilay Lounge.

Wilderluxe Lake Keepit experiences

No need to turn nocturnal; when the sun rises, there are still plenty of ways to touch the sky.

Lake Keepit hosted the 2020 Women’s World Gliding Championships, and it’s one of the best places in Australia to stretch your wings. The local Soaring Club operates year-round, meaning you can book a gliding experience any day of the year – or opt for a scenic flight to take in the vast beauty from above.

Prefer to keep your feet on solid ground? There are plenty of walking and cycling trails in and around the area. Luckily, bikes are part of the Wilderluxe package. All you have to do is ask a staff member for their favourite route, throw a picnic onto the back and cycle off into the great beyond.

Alternatively, nab a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or kayak and head out onto the lake. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, borrow a fishing rod and try your chances.

A person kayaking through serene waters. — Paddle into peace.

The details

A two-night minimum twin-share accommodation package includes Big Sky dinner and drinks experience, plus daily continental breakfast. As well as access to leisure equipment including mountain bikes, kayaks, SUPs and fishing gear.

The interiors of the glamping tent. — Let nature restore you, while luxury takes care of the rest.

Start planning your outback glamping adventure at wilderluxe.com.au.

10 best cafes in the Blue Mountains to try now