The Top 20 Bowral Cafes To Fuel Up At

From bakeries to bistros to hip cafes in heritage buildings and spaces with their own market garden, the best cafes in Bowral and beyond are a celebration of Southern Highlands produce.

The best Bowral cafes are all about drinking in the Southern Highlands’ scene. Sitting in the main street sipping a ristretto signals I’m on holiday. It’s right up there with getting out into nature, exploring Southern Highlands vineyards and trawling for antiques.

The centre of Bowral is easily walkable and you’ll find everything you’re looking for here. From specialty coffee to artisan pastries, brunch for champions, or lunch paired with local cool-climate wines, Bowral has a lot to discover.

Here is the ultimate guide to 20 of the best cafes in Bowral and beyond.

The shortlist

Hottest new opening: Dolly’s Donuts
Best coffee: Rush Roasting Co.
Best pastries: Fermento
Hidden gem: Your Vintage Occasion Tea Salon
Family-friendly spot: Franquette Crêperie
Casual eats: Kaffeine Bowral
Best date: Italo

1. Dolly’s Donuts

Dolly's Donuts, Bowral cafes — Pick up a cheeky dozen at Dolly’s Donuts.

Follow the aroma of cinnamon and sugar down Bowral’s main street to find this brand-new cafe and donut dispenser. You could hole up here to crush a couple of donuts on your Pat Malone. Alternatively, pick up a cheeky dozen to keep the kids happy on the remainder of your road trip. The pastry makers here dole out donuts with a range of deliciously innovative flavours. We’re talking Biscoff Cheesecake, Boston Cream, Cream Bun or Ham and Cheeze Pizza Pocket. Pick up a Dolly’s Donuts Gift Card for your best mate in Bowral.|

Cuisine: Tasty treats, gelato and donuts.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Fun, friendly.
Location: 1/310-312 Bong Bong Street, Bowral

2. The Press Shop, Bowral

brunch at The Press Shop, Bowral cafes — Brunch at this Bowral cafe is bright and convivial.

Billed as ‘that lovely little cafe in Bowral’, The Press Shop is within what was once an old bespoke letterpress studio. The darling entrance, though refreshed, has remained the same, offering visitors a taste of the Highlands’ heritage on the main street of Bowral. Even on a grey day, brunch at the Bowral cafe is bright and convivial. There are the bare floorboards, pops of duck-egg-blue decor and hanging pendant lights. And of course, the happy staff scribbling up lists of inspired specials like the barra burger or fish tacos that keep local producers proudly front of mind.

Cuisine: Mod Oz
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Elegant, airy, luxe
Location: 5, 391/397 Bong Bong St, Bowral

3. Plantation Cafe

the bright and airy interior of Plantation Cafe, Bowral cafes — This plant-filled cafe offers a delectable all-day menu. (Image: Elise Hassey)

Green Lane is just down the street from The Press Shop in Bowral’s main buzzy shopping and dining precinct. And this character-filled precinct is home to all manner of culinary, retail and horticultural delights. Plantation Cafe is one of the best cafes in Bowral for its consistently good coffee (it’s Double Roasters doll), fresh pastries and all-day menu. Sit around the communal table and shoot the breeze with Bowral locals who love this light and airy plant-filled cafe.

Cuisine: Mod Oz
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Elegant, airy, luxe
Location: 21 Banyette St, Bowral

4. Harry’s on Green Lane

Head next door to Harry’s On Green Lane if Plantation Cafe is jam-packed; it’s one of the best restaurants and bars in Bowral. Harry’s is named in honour of English horticulturalist Sir Harry Veitch, founder of Chelsea Flower Show. Dress as a dapper English gent to look the part in this colourful cafe, which is awash in greenery. The interiors are both sleek and sumptuous with soaring high ceilings, cane lamp shades and a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf. Harry’s is open daily for lunch; Fridays and Saturdays for dinner. Order ‘Today’s Soup’, with sourdough at the cafe next to Dirty Janes, one of the best spots to shop in Bowral.

Cuisine: Nourishing country fare.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Elegant, airy, luxe
Location: 15-17 Banyette St, Bowral

5. Franquette Crêperie

brunch at Franquette Crêperie, Bowral cafes — Franquette Crêperia serves unforgettable crepes. (Image: Mattio Panunzio)

Power walk past the locals with teacup poodles in their handbags to secure a table for le petit dejeuner at Franquette Crêperie. The crêperie that declares “these are not pancakes’ on its website deserves a dedicated detour. It’s more Brittany than Bowral. And that’s because it’s run by Frenchman Julien Besnard and his Australian wife Remy who brought a little bit of Julien’s Breton heritage to Bowral’s cafe culture. On weekdays, you’ll find the place buzzing with former city slickers who, post-pandemic, now work from their country homes and queue up on the daily for crêpes and coffee. Practise your French and order a few galettes to go. It’s a top spot suitable to take everyone from your nan to your favourite niece.

Cuisine: Paper-thin crêpes with contemporary flavours such as Mexican or banoffee pie.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Inclusive, welcoming, warm and wonderful. Shout-out to the elite acoustic engineers who have invested in getting the sound levels right.
Location: 329 Bong Bong St, Bowral

6. Your Vintage Occasion Tea Salon

One of the best things to do in Bowral is bounce between antique shops looking for vintage finds. Dress in your Bridgerton best for high tea at Your Vintage Occasion . ‘Bahral’ as the locals pronounce it, became the summer playground of Sydney’s gentry in the 19th century. Channel the spirit of eccentric aristocracy as you sip on brews from the Highlands Tea Company in fine bone China cups at this charming tea salon, tucked away in the Bradman Museum. Scones are the headline attraction here, served with generous dollops of jam and cream. Take your tween to the ‘Little Ones’, one of the best high teas in Bowral.

Cuisine: Classic high tea, scones, sweet and savoury selection and desserts.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Elegant, airy, luxe
Location: Inside the Bradman Museum, St Jude St, Bowral

7. Fermento

Fermento is where I go to get my fix of artisan baked goods and pastries in Bowral. The family-owned Bowral bakery cafe in the centre of town has honed its cornerstone offering down to a fine art. The sourdough bread is by Baked in Berrima and comprises organic flour, purified water and Australian sea salt. Choose from a concise selection of sweet and savoury delights, from flaky croissants to meat pies. Angle for a table at the Bong Bong St bakery to enjoy the muffuletta stuffed with cured meats, cheese and salad. The attention to detail is what binds Fermento to its sister venues: Berrima General Store and Baked in Berrima – all of which make my list of best bakeries in Bowral.

Cuisine: Artisan baked goods, both savoury and sweet
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Push open the fire-engine red door to find Fermento, all dark and moody, charcoal and timber tones.
Location: 275 Bong Bong St, Bowral

8. Gumnut Patisserie

a little boy enjoying desserts at Gumnut Patisserie, Bowral cafes — The cafe’s mantra is ‘Life’s short, eat dessert first’. (Image: Destination Southern Highlands/HCreations)

Gumnut Patisserie – going strong for more than two decades – has stores in Bowral, Berrima and Mittagong. Moreover, it’s justifiably known for its baked goods, cupcakes and cakes tailored for special occasions. Bridgerton’s Penelope Featherington would approve of the high tea on offer here. The range of elaborate bites includes mini quiches, sausage rolls, pies and petit fours as well as sponge cakes with jam and cream. Gumnut Patisserie is known for its ‘Neenish Tart’, which took out the top spot in the Wotif Uniquely Aussie Awards. The dessert has a pastry base and a cream filling.

Cuisine: Cakes, flans, cupcakes, mini tartlets, high tea, frozen cakes and special occasions. cakes.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: This handsome
Location: Shop 7, Grand Arcade Bowral

9. Studio @ The What If Society

a dessert plate at The What If Society, Bowral cafes — Indulge in a decadent treat at The What If Society.

Head chef Eilish Maloney worked at the Michelin-starred Ledbury in London alongside Brett Graham and was head chef at Saint Peter. What a boon for Bowral and Moss Vale that the chef has returned to her roots. Like Bowral, Moss Vale is now bookmarked as a destination rather than a place to pass through. Conscious consumers will find their happy place at The What If Society, a sustainable zero-waste food cooperative that works in collaboration with local suppliers around the Southern Highlands to make a difference. The cafe is an offshoot of all the co-op delivers. The farm-to-table restaurant goes beyond the buzzwords.

Cuisine: Rustic, honest, sustainable, sensational paddock-to-plate fare.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Warm and welcoming granny-chic vibes.
Location: 443 Argyle St, Moss Vale.

10. RAW & WILD Market & Cafe

Raw and Wild cafe in Bowral, NSW — The front of the cafe features a whole-food store. (Image: Carla Grossetti)

Burradoo is not known as Burradoo in these parts. That’s because those residing in the suburb known as Sydney’s Hamptons want to flex their net worth when you ask them where they live.  But you can still enjoy the good life in Bowral even if you don’t make the Rich List. Head to RAW & WILD Market & Cafe to enrich your day with a health-conscious breakfast or lunch. The eco-conscious eatery leads onto an outdoor terrace at the back of a wholefood store. Choose sweet potato fritters for brekkie. Or mushroom risotto using fungi sourced from Mittagong train tunnel for lunch. There’s a kids’ menu, grazing options and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays.

Cuisine: Organic wholefoods that will make you feel good about yourself.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Rustic timber floors, a chocolate banquette and wall tangled with wild greenery.
Location: 250 Bong Bong St, Bowral.

11. Rush Roasting Co.

pouring milk over coffee at Rush Roasting Co., Bowral cafes — The coffee at Rush Roasting Co. in Bowral is award-winning.

Rummage in the vintage section of Dirty Janes until you find a foppish hat so you fit in with the immaculately dressed locals drinking coffee at Rush Roasting Co . This lovely eatery, run by award-winning artisan roasters, is considered one of the best cafes in Bowral. It also has a sister cafe in Moss Vale. Rush Roasting Co. started roasting in 1998, long before specialty coffee was a given in the Southern Highlands. They offer barista-training courses and sell a range of coffee products aimed at keen beans. Enjoy zucchini and corn fritters pre-piccolo.

Cuisine: Classic breakfast and lunch options with a Mod Oz accents.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Industrial chic with communal tables arrayed around a shipping container dubbed ‘the Tinny’.
Location: 64 Bowral St, Bowral

12. Nick’s

Nick's cafe in Bowral, NSW — Nick’s in Bowral has been going strong since 2020.

Coffee and art collide at Nick’s in Bowral , a light-filled cafe that has been a place for the community to gather since opening in 2020. You’ll see evidence of this in the queues congregating here on Saturday mornings for shots of coffee and a chat. Banter with the barista, then grab a seat on the bench outside the blue-on-white cafe to watch Bong Bong Street go by. The cafe has free wi-fi so expect to share the communal countertops with a few trust-fund kidults. The cafe has become a full-blown institution for coffees that will keep you wired for the day. The seafood congee is also a signature. Pop inside to admire coffee-related ‘Nick’-knacks and art.

Cuisine: Pan-Asian meets Mod Oz.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: The shoebox-sized cafe has a very friendly, local vibe.
Location: 64 Bowral St, Bowral

13. Cafe Rocca

breakfast at Cafe Rocca, Bowral — Grab a sweet brekkie at the bustling Cafe Rocca.

Cafe Rocca is a low-key, unpretentious institution in Bowral. Located a few doors down from Leila’s at the Grand , the cafe is a popular spot with locals. Head here for a perfect piccolo using beans roasted by Seven Miles Coffee Roasters alongside staples such as sourdough stacked with avocado, tomato and egg. The cafe, going strong for almost three decades, has changed hands. But it’s still a bustling place for brekkie. Cafe Rocca is also open for lunch, selling crowd-pleasing steak sangas, king prawn pasta and chicken panini.

Cuisine: Mod Oz
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Fuss-free. The courtyard is the place to be.
Location: Shop 8, The Grand Arcade, Bowral

14. The Boston Ivy 1880

The Boston Ivy 1880 is a mere five-minute drive down the road from Bowral in Mittagong. And it’s 100 per cent worth going beyond Bowral for. The Boston Ivy 1880 is housed in an ivy-clad stone building that dates to 1880. It has a pretty courtyard out back and an interior that marries a folksy heritage feel – all unfinished wood and exposed brickwork – with clean, contemporary lines. Open Monday to Saturday (closed Tuesdays), it does a good line of specialty coffee and hearty dishes. Plump for a ‘posh ploughman’, schnitzel sandwich or bacon panino.

Cuisine: Contemporary Australian.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Fuss-free. The courtyard is the place to be.
Location: 197 Main Street, Mittagong

15. Berrima General Store & Cafe

I often rub shoulders with fellow foodies from Sydney at Berrima General Store . The rustic store is on the map for adventurous epicureans who are keen to enjoy the very best local food and produce from the Southern Highlands. The general store stocks indulgent treats supplied by Baked in Berrima and is a must-stop in the Southern Highlands. It’s all about beautifully presented food made with fresh ingredients from the store’s own organic market garden. Pop back for pizza night and a bowl of salad bristling with leaves.

Cuisine: Mod Oz meets Mediterranean.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Super casual. Friendly staff.
Location: 1/13 The Old Hume HIghway, Berima

16. Flour Bar

a plate of chicken at Flour Bar, Bowral — Dine on exquisite meals. (Image: Christopher Pearce)

Flour Bar is set in a mid-century bank on Argyle St, Moss Vale. And though a lot of recipes are under lock and key, we know the formula involves beautifully presented food made with fresh ingredients. Flour Bar is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The dining room at Flour Bar is soothing and warm and ignites as much joy as the treats the bakers turn out each day. Forget TikTok trends. The food here is more like what your English nan makes; think pulled beef brisket pie and mash.

Cuisine: Comforting country classics.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Super casual. Friendly staff.
Location: 1/13 The Old Hume Highway, Berima

17. Sonoma Bowral

pastry treats at Sonoma, Bowral cafes — Peruse the pastry treats at Sonoma.

Sonoma is one of the best bakeries in the Southern Highlands. This little cupboard-sized space was designed by Like Minds studio to be as compact and perfectly formed as one of its divine little cinnamon scrolls. Head into the minimalist-chic cafe and bakery to pick up a loaf of soy linseed and toasted sesame sourdough. The Sonoma brand has been going strong since 1998, and we love it for its attention to detail and commitment to naturally leavened artisan sourdough.

Cuisine: Sourdough and pastry treats and doorstop-sized sandwiches.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Clean lines and minimal aesthetic. Good vibes.
Location: The Grand Arcade, Shop 7c. 250 Bong Bong St, Bowral

18. Kaffeine Bowral

Is it time to switch up your WFH routine? Head to Kaffeine to cement your status as a digital nomad who knows where to go to get Bowral’s best jolt of java. The Bowral cafe serves perfect brews that showcase Seven Miles Coffee Roasters. The light, bright space also has a solid menu of cafe fare like wild mushroom bruschetta and pulled lamb burgers. Order the veggie vegan version of avocado on toast for your hippie friend from Newtown who will appreciate the carefully curated Crunchy Granola Spotify playlist on rotation.

Cuisine: Healthy cafe fare with a few virtuous vegan options.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Scandi-chic meets Southern Highlands.
Location: 374 Bong Bong St, Bowral.

19. Biscotti

Wander down Springett’s Arcade to find this tucked-away cafe that is popular for breakfast, brunch and lunch. The latte art might also be Bowral’s best as the baristas have done their time at some of the best cafes in Sydney and the Southern Highlands. Despite the name, there are a lot more impressive treats besides coffee and Biscoffi . Feeling hangry? The gourmet pies are the go. The Asian-inspired katsu bagel, breakfast burger and salmon fish cakes are also lovely options for lunch. Every time you pop into this Bowral cafe, you’ll find something else to crave or covet. Looking to take your teens to Bowral? The cafe does a killer iced strawberry matcha.

Cuisine: Pan-Asian cafe fare.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Bare tables and polished floorboards, white-on-white interiors and a lovely atmosphere.
Location: 302 Bong Bong St, Bowral.

20. Italo

pouring milk into a coffee cup at Italo, Bowral cafes — Italo serves excellent coffee for your morning pick-me-up. (Image: Daniel Cusack)

The Bowral cafe scene is considered one of the best in the Southern Highlands. And while it feels like there are a lot of Bowral cafes serving Mod Oz fare, Italian restaurants are a little under-represented. Enter Italo . This is not your typical red-sauce, old-school Italian cafe. The Bowral cafe is perched on a corner of The Mill precinct and away from a lot of the hubbub. Italo is frequently mentioned as the best bakery in Bowral for its signature focaccia. They say home is where the hearth is and the chefs at this cafe-bakery-deli have blessed Bowral with their brilliance. Sign the kids up for a pizza-making class while you say ‘how the focaccia’ to a bacon and egg roll.

Cuisine: Authentic Italian with innovative twists.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: It’s a sleek set-up. Bologna meets Bowral.
Location: The Mill, 6/201-224 Bong Bong St, Bowral

From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

1. Gosford’s glow up

room at voco gosford — Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

2. Newcomers to the dining scene

table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal — Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

3. New Central Coast experiences

winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery — Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

4. Central Coast accommodation

view from a cottage at Noonaweena — Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

5. Shopping on the Central Coast

Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast — Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .

The definitive guide to 20 of the best Bowral cafes