11 Superb Broken Hill Restaurants & Cafes

It might feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, but the number of restaurants open in Broken Hill will have you stunned (and stuffed) at the options here.

To an unlearned outsider, the dusty expanse of far west NSW might not suggest itself to enormous choice in the food department. But you only have to spend a day or two in the outback town of Broken Hill before you realise the mistake. As well as a whole heap of things to do and discover here, the old mining centre has its food scene to recommend it as well.

From desert fine dining to a stop by a retro diner, here are the best cafes and restaurants to check out when you’re in Broken Hill.

1. The Silly Goat Cafe

Best for: a seriously good cup of coffee

A sleek breakfast eatery in the centre of town, The Silly Goat Cafe is the perfect place to start your day, sipping on a strong coffee in their leafy backyard.

Menu at Silly Goats Broken Hill — If you’re after an all-day brunch menu, you’re in luck! (Image: Destination NSW)

As well as a hot drinks menu that includes cold drip coffee – the obvious choice for a roasting hot Broken Hill day – The Silly Goat also has an all-day brunch menu that includes delectable dishes like french toast with pickled pear, orange meringue, candied pistachio and berry compote.

Silly Goat Cafe in Broken Hill — Start your day right at Silly Goat. (Image: Destination NSW)

Address: 425 Argent Street, Broken Hill, NSW

2. Alfresco’s Cafe

Best for: a big range of brekkie options

From lemon and sugar-dusted pancakes to a big brekkie resplendent with sausages, bacon and mushrooms, Alfresco’s is a real crowd-pleaser when it comes to breakfast time. And it doesn’t stop when the clock strikes 12 – there is also a heap of fresh lunches to choose from, like smoked salmon bruschetta, halloumi and charred vegetable salad, burgers and an extensive pizza menu.

Cafe Alfresco Broken Hill — Alfresco’s is full of outback charm and good old-fashioned comfort food.

Address: 397 Argent Street Broken Hill, NSW

3. Bell’s Milk Bar

Best for: a milkshake out at a retro diner

Broken Hill is full of opportunities to take a step back in time, and here’s another one. From its fifties-style furniture to its checkerboard floors, Bell’s Milk Bar will give you all the Grease feels.

Bell's Milk Bar in Broken Hill — For some tasty, retro fun, don’t go past a meal at Bell’s. (Image: Destination NSW)

So get that hair combed back, swagger on in to sit among the chrome fittings, and order one of the 50 traditional-style milkshakes and soda spiders on the menu. Afterwards, pop by the Milk Bar Museum to get an understanding of the history of Australia’s milk bars.

Address: 160 Patton Street, Broken Hill, NSW

4. The Deli

Best for: fancy cheese

If you want a treat from the boujee side of life, this gourmet grocer and cafe should be your next stop. From the baking counter with fresh ciabatta bread, to the lunch cabinet stocked with everything you need to hand for a picnic out at the Living Desert Park, coming here is a no-brainer.

The Deli in Broken Hill — Be greeted by friendly staff at The Deli.

While there are always baked goods like fresh pies here to pair with your coffee, if luck is with you, you’ll arrive on doughnut day.

Address: 7-9 Chloride Street Broken Hill, NSW

5. The Old Salt Bush Restaurant & Catering

Best for: award-winning fine dining

Got a special occasion while visiting Broken Hill? Head to the Old Salt Bush for mouthwatering fine dining that prides itself on its regionally sourced ingredients.

The Old Salt Bush Restaurant in Broken Hill — Dine on delectable dishes at The Old Salt Bush. (Image: Lee Cecchin)

For omnivores, the saltbush-dusted lamb rump with honey shiraz is an absolute must, while tomato and zucchini roulade with lemon mousse, pickled fennel, goats cheese and smoked bush tomato will tempt one and all.

Address: 1 Oxide St, Broken Hill, NSW

6. Masallas

Best for: a taste of Indian in the outback

Beat the heat of the desert with takeout from Masallas, an Indian restaurant with an extensive menu of curries and starters, which includes roomalli wraps filled with lamb, chicken or prawn, a full Thali meal and special tandoori platters. And if you’re buying for a big group, order over $80 to get you a free butter chicken. Sign me up!

Address: 38 Chloride Street, Broken Hill, NSW

7. Lancys Takeaway

Best for: an all-rounder takeaway night that’s a real crowdpleaser

You know the drill: one person wants fish and chips, the other a mean schnitty, the other is being frustratingly vague. When this happens on your road trip to Broken Hill, veer away from disaster and take the family straight for Lancys Takeaway . Lancys has all these, as well as Aussie takeaway classics like steak sandwiches, pineapple fritters and bacon egg rolls – and all at affordable prices.

Address: 282 McCulloch Street, Broken Hill, NSW

8. Silverton Bakery

Best for: bakery doughnuts in Silverton

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again. Is it even a road trip without a bakery stop? Luckily Broken Hill and nearby Silverton (just twenty minutes away) have plenty to deliver when it comes to warm bakery treats. Before the Mad Mad 2 Museum and after the camel rides, stop by Silverton Bakery . Here you will find fresh doughnuts, dusted in cinnamon and sugar, as well as scones, pies and sausage rolls: all baked onsite.

Address: 10 Layard Street, Silverton, NSW

9. Old McLeod’s Bakery

Best for: a nostalgic feed in a Broken Hill bakery

Over in Broken Hill, Old McLeod’s Bakery has been feeding hungry road trippers and locals alike for decades. And – having been baking up a storm for that long – you better believe the hype is worth it. With flaky pastry, a wide range of flavours (pulled pork and apple pie has us drooling) and a homey local spirit, you’ll find it impossible not to sneak by for a peek.

Address: 501-503 Chapple St, Broken Hill, NSW

10. Sufi Bakery

Best for: artisan sourdough bread

Before you’ve even come here, you might have already tried the bread from this hole-in-the-wall bakery. How? Other cafes around town use their stellar products, of course. For more than just a slice or two with your scrambled eggs, stop by Sufi’s Bakery for their traditional sourdough, as well as olive bread, bavarian rye, danishes and ready-to-use pizza dough.

Address: Corner Bromide & Argent Street, Broken Hill, NSW

11. Mamma Mia Pizzeria Broken Hill

Best for: a casual pizza to feed the family

Did someone say pizza? Mamma Mia Pizzeria is perfect for those lazy nights around the campfire where a tinnie’s already been cracked, and you just can’t be bothered to fire up the barbecue. Mamma Mia delivers loaded crowd favourites, like Margarita, BBQ meat lovers, Hawaiian and Supreme, with group deals available for hungry crowds.

Address: 152 Patton Street Broken Hill, NSW

For more insider tips about the things to do and places to stay in town, don’t forget to check out our ultimate guide to Broken Hill.

Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW.

When the mercury drops, winter in NSW comes into its own. Beaches are quieter, the air is crisper and hearty food tastes even better when there’s ice on the windows.

Winter here isn’t for hiding away. It’s for long walks, deep baths, deeper reds and the kind of fireside lounging that feels simultaneously indulgent and entirely deserved after a day of exploring. From whale-watching up north to moodily lit bushwalks and pastry pilgrimages, we’ve mapped out your new favourite season.

a beach winter in nsw — From coastal walks to tasty delights, winter in NSW is a time to get out and about.

The Tweed

In winter, the NSW north coast has a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations. From May to November, humpbacks cruise past the Tweed coast between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Spot them from the Cabarita Beach headland or get up closer with a boat cruise.

Inland, find the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre , which is home to a rotating cast of big-name exhibitions (including Monet).

Later, grab a table at Bistro Livi , where the modern Spanish menu features whipped salt cod on toast and spanner crab with curry butter and spelt flatbread. Stick around to poke through the artist studios and indie boutiques of M|Arts Precinct .

visitors at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre — Browse the art. (Image: Destination NSW)

The next day, jump aboard the Indigenous Lunch Cruise with Tweed Escapes. You’ll cruise upriver listening to yarns from local Indigenous guides, stop at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Museum and tuck into lemon myrtle-crusted snapper.

Next, drive out to Farm & Co to pull apart some juicy smoked lamb shoulder with green olive tapenade while gazing out over the macadamia fields and avocado groves of this working farm.

End the day at Mantra on Salt Beach where you’ll enjoy beach access, a heated rock spa and a lagoon pool.

dining room at Bistro Livi — Taste modern Spanish at Bistro Livi.

Blue Mountains

The cold season is hands down the best time to visit the Blue Mountains. Temperatures are perfect – sunny enough for hikes, and crisp enough at night for snuggling up.

For a trip that equally soothes and stirs, start with a meditative meander through the national park’s eucalypts and Australian wildflowers. Brave the steepest passenger railway in the world, Scenic Railway , then hop the Skyway aerial cable car for unrivalled Three Sisters views.

Thaw out at the Japanese Bath House in South Bowenfels. Soak in steamy outdoor onsens filled with natural mineral water and mountain views, wander the rose and zen gardens, or sip hot drinks in the tea house.

group leader at Blue Mountains Stargazing — Rug up for Blue Mountains Stargazing. (Image: Destination NSW)

Afterwards, head to Ates in Blackheath, where everything revolves around a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven – like the wood-roasted duck with nectarines and Szechuan spice. Or visit Tempus Katoomba , which leans experimental and sustainable, serving up dishes like braised fennel with cumin, spiced yogurt and Aleppo pepper.

Rug up and head into the night with Blue Mountains Stargazing . Sessions are guided by astrophysicists, helping you understand what you’re looking at as you look into deep space.

Wrap it all up at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection . There’s a whiskey bar in the basement (and crackling fires that make a dram taste even better), indoor and outdoor pools and a day spa. Kids will love the mirror maze and ice rink, too.

dishes laid out on table at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains — End the day with delicious meals at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

Southern Highlands

Good food and wine by the fire, experienced between sifting through second-hand treasures, is a winter vibe in Bowral.

Start with a lap around Dirty Janes , an antique and vintage market. Recover from your shopping frenzy at Bendooley Book Barn , where floor-to-ceiling shelves and a roaring fire set the tone for an afternoon of red wine or hot coffee.

When it’s time to eat, head to Hickory’s Restaurant & Bar , Peppers Craigieburn Bowral’s onsite restaurant. Try the crispy pork belly with Granny Smith crisps and apple gel, or ocean trout with wakame, lemon gel and pickled radish.

couple looking through Dirty Janes in bowral — Wander the antiques at Dirty Janes. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another option, Onesta Cucina , does Italian with flair. For something more casual (with cocktails), Flour Bar swings between brunch and dinner, with an onsite bakery, over 400 wines and a hidden deli in the old bank vault.

Later, clamber Mt Gibraltar , where trails wind through eucalypt forest to views over Bowral and Mittagong.

Stay at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral , a century-old estate with open fires, elegant lounges and a nine-hole golf course.

woman and her dog winter in nsw at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral — Stay cosy at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral.

Penrith

Shake off winter inertia with an adrenaline boost out in Penrith. Kick things off with a kayak paddle on the Nepean River with Horizon Line, or head to Cables Wake Park , where cold-weather wetsuits take the edge off a wipeout.

For something a bit more cruisy, opt for the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for slow-floating views and a hot cuppa.

kayakers on the nepean river in penrith — Head out on the Nepean River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Refuel at Marcel Bar & Bistro , where reimagined European comfort food – like seafood risotto in bisque with little neck clams and Moreton Bay bugs – is king. Then check in at the Pullman Sydney Penrith , the area’s first international five-star hotel, to enjoy your well-earned rest.

Start planning your NSW winter getaway at all.com.

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