Crackin' coffee, hearty tucker, and friendly atmosphere – these ripper Blue Mountains cafes will warm your heart, and make you smile. Gear up for top-notch grub on your next trip to the Blue Mountains with this list of the best spots for a sunny brekkie, laid-back lunch, or chilled dinner. From a bush-fringed arvo tea in a glasshouse to a retro diner and trendy coffee joints, our guide will ensure you're well-fed and watered at every meal.
8 Things
Take a culinary world tour with eight delicious dishes at this Katoomba eatery. Chef Misha Laurent has rustled a menu inspired by street food faves, from an Indian dosa to a Balinese nasi goreng. They might hail from around the globe, but they all pack a punch with bold, full-on flavours. Like classic street grub, these eight treats are quick, freshly whipped, and moreish.
"After a Blue Mountains tour, stop by 8 Things for a global feast that'll take your taste buds on an adventure."
Location: 133 Katoomba Street, Katoomba.
Frankly, My Dear
Keen on a bagel with your brew? You're in luck at this upbeat and fun-filled café in Katoomba. Run by local coffee legends Dylan and Alisha of Glenbrook's Kickaboom (see below), you'll find the same sunny atmosphere and commitment to a top-notch cuppa at Frankly, My Dear, as you will at their first meal.
Location: 195 Katoomba Street, Katoomba
Cassiopeia
Coffee buffs can sniff out a top-notch brew from miles away. Luckily, this mountain-born coffee brand is always within reach with Cassiopeia's three espresso bars and a roastery.
Founded in 2006, Cassiopeia's specialty coffees are sourced from the finest beans worldwide to serve the Mountains community and beyond. You can get your caffeine fix in Katoomba, Springwood, and Windsor, where you can also grab a bite and pick up beans to take home.
Location: 79 Lurline Street, Katoomba; 2/127 Macquarie Road, Springwood; 3/200 George Street, Windsor; roastery 3/59 Megalong Street, Katoomba
The Bunker
Now, with three mountain locations – Springwood, Leura, and Mulgoa – The Bunker has become a real institution. It's all about the classics done right, nothing too fancy, but everything delicious. From the signature breakfast burger to the lamb ragu and burgers at lunch, and share plates of chicken bao and prawn tacos, as well as bigger dishes like baked barramundi and Moroccan chicken at dinner, there's something to tickle everyone's fancy, no matter when you rock up.
Location: Shop 8 and 9, 150 Macquarie Road, Springwood; 117–121 Leura Mall, Leura; 1319 Mulgoa Road, Mulgoa
Black Cockatoo Bakery
For golden croissants fresh out of the oven paired with high-quality coffee, swing by one of the two Black Cockatoo spots before any mountain escapade.
Pair your cup of tea with a hand-rolled bagel stuffed with salmon, avocado, or pastrami and treats like homemade banana bread and cakes.
At this local fave, a passion for the craft is at the heart of everything they knead and bake, so you won't be able to leave without a loaf of organic, stone-ground sourdough bread under your arm. And while you're there, grab a few pastries to fuel any bushwalks or cosy reading sessions by the fire.
Location: Shop 1/1 Staples Crescent, Lawson; 165 Katoomba Street, Katoomba
The Wayzgoose Diner
The Wayzgoose Diner dishes are comfort food made from scratch with local produce served in a fun setting with green gingham tablecloths and sorbet-pink cups.
It's delicious diner-style fare, from toasties and burgers to bagels, lasagne, waffles, and scones served in a flowerpot because it's the mountains.
It's a menu that seems to say nothing can't be jazzed up with a dollop of fluffy cream or tomato sauce, so stroll in for some hearty faves.
Location: 174 Leura Mall, Leura
Sorensen’s Glasshouse
A gem of the mountains, this nursery and cafe is a dreamy spot to snag a window seat and gaze out at the forest beyond. The floor-to-ceiling glass building makes you feel a bit like you're dining in a cloche or, say, a glasshouse, but the star of the show is the view outside, not you.
Tuck into brekkie and lunch every day, with dishes like a rainbow felafel bowl or Sorensen’s garden brekkie, and check out the local goodies for sale in the shop.
Location: 8 Herbet Street, Leura
The Grumpy Baker
This big city import from Sydney’s Oxford Street fits right into the weatherboard shopfront of its Bilpin digs. Pop in daily for a baked treat, like a traditional sourdough loaf, pain au chocolat, or chocolate brownie, enjoyed with a Single O coffee at the window seat as the sun streams in. It's the ideal way to fuel up for your mountain adventures.
Location: 2481 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin
Hounslow
From brekkie served with a perfected cold drip coffee to lunch with a chilled fine wine and, from Thursday to Sunday nights, dinner and a cocktail, this Blackheath fave is a top spot to park yourself and enjoy. You could start the day with a Kipfler Spanish omelette, stretch your legs, and come back for the grilled broccoli toastie at lunch, then snag your table again at dinner for a Korean barbecue pork belly and a custom cocktail.
Location: 25 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath
Kickaboom
The menu at this Glenbrook cafe is all about balance. On one side, opt for chia granola at Brekkie and a soba noodle bowl for a light lunch, or, on the indulgent side, go all out with the decadent fried chicken waffle.
With owner Dylan Johnson having honed his skills at some of Surry Hills’ top cafes, you can bet everything will be spot on.
Address: 6 Ross Street, Glenbrook