12 Of The Tastiest Bathurst Restaurants

Bathurst offers a perfect combination of history, culture and delectable cuisine, making it a pleasantly surprising destination for foodies.

Nestled in the heart of regional New South Wales lies the charming town of Bathurst, where locals and visitors alike can find a foodie’s paradise hidden amongst the rolling hills and heritage architecture. Bathurst restaurants offer a culinary experience that rivals many big cities, with a focus on fresh ingredients and a welcoming atmosphere.

Whether you’re stopping by for a special event or just passing through, make sure to add our pick of Bathurst restaurants to your list of things to do to experience the rich cultural and gastronomic offerings of this down-to-earth town.

1. Church Bar + Woodfired Pizza

If you’re looking for a funky, rustic atmosphere, Church Bar + Woodfired Pizza is definitely worth checking out. The menu offers simple, traditional pizzas as well as focaccias and share plates (if you can go past the selection of mouth-watering pizzas).

The vibe is friendly, with cosy corners to settle into inside and a vibrant, leafy courtyard outside. And yes – it’s a very church-like, revamped old schoolhouse oozing European ambience. There’s a good selection of wines, cocktails, craft beers and often live music, making it a popular choice for a relaxed night out.

Address: 1 Ribbon Gang Lane, Bathurst

2. Kisuya Japanese Restaurant

Located at the West Point Shopping Centre, Kisuya has a relaxed and authentically Japanese feel. As the Bathurst dining scene continues to evolve, this restaurant offers a modern take on traditional Japanese cuisine and is a hit amongst locals.

The menu is designed to showcase local ingredients, expertly prepared using Japanese cooking techniques and sauces with a modern twist. The dishes have been created to be shared, making it a great option for a group outing. There’s also a fun selection of authentic, Japanese drinks, including beer on tap.

a table-top view of Japanese dishes at Kisuya Japanese Restaurant, Bathurst

Try Kisuya’s modern Japanese dishes.

Address: West Point Shopping Centre, Bathurst

3. Maalouf’s Restaurant

A favourite amongst locals who keep coming back for more, Maalouf’s oozes authenticity, serving up healthy and delicious home-style cooking at reasonable prices. The vibe is friendly and welcoming, and the ambience is a little grungy and old-fashioned, transporting you back to the nostalgic nineties in the best way.

With dine-in and takeaway options and a hard-to-decide-cause-it-all-looks-so-good menu, you’ll be relieved to know there’s a banquet on offer so you can relax and leave the decision to the chefs. The dishes are made with a unique and diverse set of ingredients, showcasing the very best of Lebanese cuisine.

Address: 52 George St, Bathurst

4. Norma Joan

Norma Joan is a hidden treasure in Bathurst, with cosy indoor seating and a courtyard that’s perfect for a warm weather evening. The share plates are simple but packed with flavour and perfect for sharing with family and friends.

The atmosphere is classy but relaxed, and the staff are friendly and attentive – making for a cruisy dining experience. Its range of specialty local wines, beers and cocktails is the perfect accompaniment to the food and good vibes. We can see why regulars rave about it.

Address: 142 William St, Bathurst

5. Mama Mio Cafe

If you’re looking for hearty, comforting, authentic Italian food then Mama Mio Cafe will be right up your alley. This Bathurst restaurant has a laid-back and unpretentious atmosphere where the focus is on good grub that leaves you satiated.

You’ll be spoiled for choice with the extensive menu that features simple, traditional-style pizzas and more gourmet, abundant options, as well as pasta, meat dishes and all your favourite Italian desserts. You can dine in or opt for takeaway or delivery.

Dive into delicious Italian fare at Mama Mio.

Address: Shop 1/2 49 William St, Bathurst

6. The Terrace Thai

The Terrace Thai in West Bathurst is a must for anyone craving authentic Thai cuisine in a comfortable, friendly environment. The restaurant boasts a massive menu for both lunch and dinner every day except Monday, with the option of dine-in or takeaway.

The vibrant and homely vibe, combined with the traditional decor, creates a relaxed and inviting ambience. If you can snag a seat outside (yes, on the terrace), you can enjoy looking over the lovely, landscaped gardens that will transport you to Thailand. The food is tasty, generously portioned and beautifully presented.

Address: 263 Durham St, West Bathurst

7. Tamarin Indian Restaurant

If you’re on the lookout for Bathurst’s best Indian, Tamarin will hit the spot. This hidden gem offers all your Indian favourites in a vibrant and authentic atmosphere that transports you to Bollywood. The service is friendly and very accommodating, and all dietary options and tastes are catered for. Meals are hearty and great value, with the option to BYO.

Address: 126 William St, Bathurst

8. Anam Restaurant

If you’re craving an authentic Vietnamese experience, you’ll love Anam Restaurant. This small, family-owned restaurant is tucked away in an aging Bathurst arcade, but don’t be fooled by its humble exterior. Inside, you’ll find a cosy and authentic atmosphere with friendly, fast service and amazing food.

The menu is full of fresh, tasty dishes that won’t break the bank, and the BYO option makes it even more affordable. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s vibrant, comfortable and the real deal.

Address: 177 Howick St, Bathurst

9. B Town BBQ

If you’re in the mood for some classic American-style barbecue in Bathurst, you’ll be stoked to stumble upon B Town, located in one of Bathurst’s iconic pubs, The Oxford Hotel.

It offers Texas-style barbecue and southern-inspired dishes to drool over in a cosy, modern atmosphere. They’re open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, and the menu is as abundant as you’d expect, boasting everything from smoked meats to pizza.

Address: 170 William St, Bathurst

10. El Guapo Cantina

El Guapo Cantina delivers a unique Mexican dining experience with its moody but welcoming ambience, cool decor and on-point food. There’s indoor and outdoor seating and a diverse array of inimitable yet traditional Mexican dishes.

The menu is abundant but not overwhelming and there’s something for everyone – making it a great choice for groups. You might even think you’ve been transported to a charming restaurant in the heart of America’s South, where Mexican restaurants are authentic and plentiful. Plus, the margaritas are magnificent!

Sit outside for tacos and a sundownder.

Address: 49 Keppel St, Bathurst

11. Cobblestone Lane

Cobblestone Lane is the Bathurst go-to for fine dining, offering a charming and character-filled experience, perfect for date night or a special occasion. Housed in a heritage-listed former department store, the restaurant offers a glimpse of the talented culinary team through its open kitchen.

The Asian and European-inspired menu features standout dishes and, of course, the dessert menu is to die for. Cobblestone is open from Thursday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.

Address: 2/173-179 George St, Bathurst

12. Dogwood BX

If you’ve heard the hype about Dogwood BX, we’re here to confirm that it’s justified. Even the Texans would agree – this American-style eatery has the perfect blend of melt-in-your-mouth comfort food, tasty cocktails and attentive service.

The owner’s passion comes through in the friendly atmosphere and vibrant flavours. The vibe is chilled-out-Texan with low lighting, funky decor and a cute outdoor area to enjoy your meal under the fairy lights. The menu boasts everything from hot wings to mac and cheese and the famous Dogwood burgers.

Address: 87 Keppel St, Bathurst

For more insider tips and must-do experiences, read our Bathurst travel guide.

Take the backroads on a road trip from Sydney to Bathurst and discover a slew of delights to savour.

Bathurst may be more synonymous with racing than with a weekend getaway, but the historic town and its surrounding backroads are full of surprises. This is ideal road trip territory, not only for the scenery, but because there’s so much to discover. While neighbouring towns Orange and Mudgee get the limelight, Bathurst and Oberon deliver on character and charm; they’re packed with pubs, wineries and eateries that make you want to stop, stretch your legs and fill your stomach.

Day one

But first, coffee at Fidelity Coffee

The scenic Blue Mountains is the perfect place to stop and caffeinate before you continue your road trip. (Image: Unsplash/ Nathan Dumlao)

The Blue Mountains are a handy midway stop from Sydney to Bathurst and a perfect place to caffeinate for the drive ahead. Fidelity Coffee in Katoomba opened in January; it’s the kind of sleek, minimal space that wouldn’t look out of place in inner Sydney. The food menu is a limited selection of pastries and sweets, but the coffee is excellent, there’s plenty of nearby parking and it’s easy to get back onto the road.

Address: Shop 3/177-179 Katoomba St, Katoomba

Pub lunch at The Rockley Pub

Rockley Pub boasts timeless country charm. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Rather than take the direct route to Bathurst, via the Great Western Highway, turn right at Magpie Hollow Rd and go through O’Connell. This is a road trip after all, so take the one less travelled and enjoy the scenery on the way to lunch. Fine dining chef Matt Moran took over the Rockley Pub, built in 1872, in 2021. The eggs and Berkshire sausages on the menu come from his nearby farm, the burgers are done right – cooked medium, with beetroot and you can add bacon. The front bar used to be the district courthouse, it’s got a fire, there’s a pool room at the back and the bistro serves excellent food.

Matt Moran used his passion for local produce in reinventing the historical Rockley Pub.

General manager Stephen Manley, who used to work with Moran at Sydney fine diners Aria and Chiswick, says it’s still very much a locals’ pub as well as a popular pitstop for day trippers.

“It’s becoming a bit of a destination for people coming through this way, to Oberon and Orange. We can do up to 270 people in a day and we’re working on improving the infrastructure and adding accommodation,” he says.

Moran recently purchased another property in Bathurst, with plans to create a convenience market, bakery, sandwich shop and community co-op.

Address: 4 Budden St, Rockley

Tea time at Bake, Table & Tea 

Tea lovers will adore not just the space but also the homeware collections for sale.

This Bathurst teahouse, tucked behind a homewares shop, boasts over 50 loose-leaf teas on the menu. They are charmingly served in a glass teapot, which sits atop a warmer with a tealight candle.

Manager Erin Kneller said no one was specialising in premium tea at the time and it has carved out a niche. Their most popular blends include Paris, a sweet and fragrant vanilla Earl Grey, and Good Morning, a very strong English breakfast.

“All the food is made in-house, we offer gluten, egg and dairy-free options. It was a priority to offer them in Bathurst,” she says.

Address: 76 George St, Bathurst

A spot of shopping at The Barn  

Shop for farmhouse-inspired gifts at The Barn.

Deb North opened her country wares store in early 2025. There’s everything from cowhide chairs, leather satchels and metal flowers crafted from 44-gallon drums, made by a local artist.

“No one else was doing farmhouse rustic wares, I wanted to create a shop that celebrated where we live,” she says.

Address: 179 George St, Bathurst

Check in at Dunkley House

This restored heritage property comes with a working fireplace, pool table and loads of charm. It’s conveniently located a few blocks from the centre of town and is managed by BnB Made Easy.

Address: 251 Russell St, Bathurst

While away the evening at Norma Joan  wine bar

Share plates and cocktails at Norma Joans

Timeless charm meets modern dining at Norma Joans.

Everything on the menu is proudly local, from the drinks to the produce. Owner Michael Madden named the Norma Joan restaurant after his two grandmothers – Norma’s plates are used for dessert and Joan’s golden syrup dumplings are on the menu.

After working with Rockpool Group in Sydney, he came home and opened Norma Joan nearly a year ago. “Bathurst has always been home. I’ve always loved what’s in the area but we never had anywhere to celebrate it,” he says. “The idea is there’s so much good stuff around here that’s underrepresented. I ummed and ahhed about other wines, but there’s so much here and I want to champion it.”

The wines come from Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee, Canowindra, Rylestone and Young. Beers are from Bathurst’s Cosmo Brewing and Reckless Brewing and spirits from Bathurst Grange Distillery and Stone Pine Distillery. Produce is also local.

“We get our beef from Curly Tree Farm; every six weeks, they kill a beast for us and we use the whole animal,” Madden says.

Address: 142 William St, Bathurst

Day two

It’s a big driving day, start with coffee  at The Hub Espresso Bar & Eatery

Find Fish River Roasters served at the Hub Espresso Bar & Eatery. (Image: Unsplash/ Tabitha Turner)

This popular spot has been keeping locals caffeinated for 17 years. There’s a focus on free range and local produce and it also has an exclusive coffee blend, made with the local Fish River Roasters.

Address: 52 Keppel St, Bathurst

Build a roadside snowman at Shooter’s Hill

If you’re travelling in winter, take the hour’s drive past Oberon to Shooter’s Hill and chances are you’ll see snow. At an elevation of 1,355 metres, it’s the fourth-highest point in the Central Tablelands. If you’re extra lucky, it’ll actually be snowing, but even if not, you’ll see mounds of the white stuff stacked onto the side of the road. There’s enough of it to build a small snowman and have a snowball fight before your fingers freeze and it’s time to jump back in the car.

Address: Shooter’s Hill Rd, Shooter’s Hill

Strike black gold at Red Ground Truffles

Red Ground offers visitors warm and relaxing views.

Oberon is one of the places in NSW where it’s cold enough to grow truffles. Jill O’Grady and her husband Neil planted four varieties in 2012, so that you could harvest them from December to October.

“We have 60 acres, the majority of the trees are French evergreen oak and we have Italian stone pine for the spring white truffle,” O’Grady says.

Experience the thrill of truffle-hunting.

“The truffle hunt is a three-to-four-hour immersive experience. We start with truffle soup and truffle baked brie, learn about how we train the truffle dogs and farm biosecurity, then go on the hunt. Everyone can dig one up. Then we have more truffle dishes and a truffle grading workshop.”

Address: 264 Titania Rd, Oberon

Sweet treats at The Milbrey Kitchen & Store

The Milbrey is beloved for its warm atmosphere and friendly service.

Stop for lunch or afternoon tea at Oberon. The Milbrey has a roaring fire, an excellent kids’ play area and some of the best baked goods going. We gorged on French canelé, Nutella-filled bomboloni, orange-scented cinnamon scrolls and oversized chocolate and macadamia muffins.

Chef Drew Bolton, who worked at Sydney fine diners Aria and Quay, opened the eatery late 2023.

“We like to consider ourselves a casual local restaurant. We do have a cafe-style menu and ramp it up at nighttime,” he says.

Local produce is highlighted in their fresh and tasty dishes.

“For me, it’s about cooking the best food that I can. That means baking everything fresh in the morning and using good seasonal local produce, what’s local.”

Address: 163 Oberon St, Oberon

Pub stop at The O’Connell Hotel

On the way back to Bathurst, stop for a drink at the family-owned The O’Connell Hotel. The yellow, roadside pub on the banks of the Fish River was built in 1865. It’s set on seven acres and in summer, you can also camp on the property.

Address: 2408 O’Connell Rd, O’Connell

Winery visit at Renzaglia Wines  

The winery overlooks the Wambuul Valley.

The region isn’t synonymous with wineries, which is why it’s a bonus when you find one. This family-operated winery is open by appointment only, except for one weekend a month.

Chances are you’ll be greeted by Ali the dog, who nudges you to throw a ball, before settling in with Mark for a tasting. “My son Sam wanted to do it, so we planted vines in 1997. We have chardonnay, cabernet, shiraz, tempranillo, sangiovese and grenache,” Renzaglia says. “Chardonnay and shiraz grapes grow well here, they’re adaptable to cooler climates. I’ve seen tempranillo and sangiovese do well.

“I like the challenge of trying to pioneer a new area.” The boutique winery produced two big vintages in the last two years, 40 tonnes, which is roughly 3000 cases of wine.

Their wine flavours range from underrated and subtle to bold and experimental.

“The Bella Luna chardonnay is our signature. It’s a little more experimental, uses wild yeast fermentation and is more like a pet-nat. The Murnang di Renzo, our entry-level range, is a vermentino with a bit of riesling and a little skin contact,” Renzaglia says.

“We are trying to look after the land, not use herbicides and make minimal intervention wine.”

Address: 38 Bosworth Falls Rd, O’Connell

Nip of whisky at Bathurst Grange Distillery   

Whisky aficionados are in for a treat.

Nick  Jones was inspired by the whisky revolution in Tasmania, so he started making it on his grandparents’ sheep farm in 2014. “We have everything you need to make great whisky, the climate, we grow our ingredients – barley, juniper and other botanicals for gin – and we have great water from the Blue Mountains,” he says.

“It’s paddock to bottle.” The distillery produces gin, whisky, vodka and a whiskey liqueur.

“Our bourbon cask single malt whisky won the double gold medal at the World Spirits Championship, it’s the Oscars of whisky,” he says.

“It’s finished in shiraz casks and because of the big fluctuations in temperature, -10C to 40C, the barrels expand and contract, which increases the surface area and interaction with the whisky, so as the barrel ages, it increases the flavours.”

Address: The Grange, 3249 O’Connell Rd, Brewongle

Day three

Pub breakfast at The Oxford Hotel 

The Oxford Hotel serves up hearty meals for families.

A recent renovation has seen the Oxford Hotel transformed into a family-friendly venue. On a Sunday morning, it’s filled with prams, parents and little people making the most of the breakfast menu and epic playground. From 12pm, the lunch menu kicks in, and Brock’s serves up pizzas and Italian fare.

Address: 170 William St, Bathurst

A home with history and heart  at Abercrombie House

Abercrombie House is a 50-room Scottish baronial mansion open to the public.

What is a Scottish Baronial manor house doing in Bathurst? Lieutenant Colonel William Stuart, who was from the Scottish Highlands, built it in the 1870s after being granted a parcel of land. The 50-room mansion fell into disrepair for many years until Christopher Morgan’s parents brought it back to life in 1962. In 1969, they opened it to the public.

“This was the first privately owned historic house open to the public. As long as people are interested, we’ll share it,” Morgan says.

“It’s a living house and a working house; we host private functions such as high teas.”

Morgan sees himself as a custodian of the house. It’s open five days a week for people to wander the rabbit warren of rooms, many with working fireplaces, and explore the décor that spans collections of matchbox cars to leather-bound books.

Address: 311 Ophir Rd, Bathurst

A sprawling country brewery at Reckless Brewing  Co.

Reckless’ bold branding translates into its bold-flavoured beers.

Covid was good to Jarrod Moore, his fiancée Grace Fowler and best friend Alice Wilson. They started brewing in 2019, had moved to the area from Sydney and during a virtual Zoom tasting, someone mentioned there was an abandoned brewery in the middle of Bathurst. They visited the next day, the DAs were in place and they opened in September 2022.

The sprawling site is furnished from the local tip for that distinctive kitsch vibe city venues try so hard to emulate; there’s a children’s play area and a kitchen doing the kind of food that goes well with beer. “The town came on board and really supported us,” Moore says.

“We make 10,000 litres of beer a week. There are 10 beers in our core range and five to 10 seasonals. It’s mostly craft beer, but a lot of the people that come to the region like lagers so we created the BX lager and that makes up 50 per cent of what we brew.” He is incredibly proud of what the region produces.

“Bathurst has three wineries, two distilleries and two breweries and together we have won more awards than any other region,” he says. “We’re also the largest female-led brewery in the southern hemisphere.”

Address: 2a Piper St, Bathurst

For more of Bathurst to explore, read our pick of the best things to do.

12 of the tastiest Bathurst restaurants