The Blue Mountains’ Best Restaurants, Stays And Things To Do

From breathtaking views and adventuring to a burgeoning culinary scene and countless day spas, the Blue Mountains is the ultimate R&R destination. At around about one hour's drive west of Sydney, it's easily accessible for a day trip, weekend away or full week holiday.

The region boasts dramatic scenery, waterfalls, hikes, UNESCO World Heritage-listed bushland, charming villages, breweries, fine dining restaurants, historic sites, galleries, valleys and best of all, the sort of fresh air you can only find at a certain altitude.

If it's time for a well-deserved city escape, we've rounded up the best things to do in the Blue Mountains, from where to eat and drink, to all the must-do activities to add to your itinerary.

The Best Cafes, Restaurants And Bars In The Blue Mountains

Little Sista

4/130-138 Megalong Street, Leura

Image credit: Little Sista | Instagram

Recently opened by the family behind Cafe Leura, Little Sista is a foccacia-led cafe with retro interiors and an entirely vinyl soundtrack. The walls are lined with emerald-green cabintery housing a curated record collection that you'll find spinning on the decks all day long. 

The foccacia is all handmade, stacked with hearty fillings like slow-cooked lamb, mortadella, meatballs, mozzarella and grilled eggplant—ideal for your pre- or post-hike fuel. Pair with your fave coffee or matcha, and a fresh pastry from the cabinet.

Insider Intel

• Sandwiches are pressed on Italian-imported toasters, so you know you're getting the real deal. 

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Sanwiye Korean Cafe

177 Katoomba Street, Katoomba

While it may feel like these days the Blue Mountains is swarming with more upmarket dining options, sometimes all you feel like is a cosy, casual meal (especially if you are driving up on a chilly Friday night). Sanwiye Korean Cafe ticks all the boxes in this regard: super yummy food, an unassuming (but super cute) interior, and plenty of nearby parking.

Expect a menu that spans both Korean comfort dishes and freshly cut seafood: duk-bokki, japchae, bibimbab, dumplings and bulgolgi and rice. There's also a full vegan menu, and gluten free options, all served on a collection of mismatched pottery.

Insider Intel

• While you can order housemade kimchi as a side (and we definitely recommend doing so), they'll often give it to you on the table—and the servings are huge. 

Ates

33 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath

Image credit: Ates | Instagram

Having taken over the old space of long revered restaurant Vulcan's, Ates is now leading the charge in the region's culinary scene. The Blackheath spot, headed up by a former Rockpool Bar & Grill head chef, is making full use of the restaurant's famed 150-year-old woodfire oven. 

The rotating Turkish menu showcases local produce with dishes like the slow-cooked Jack's Creek sirloin served with harissa, salsa verde and creamed spinach or the whole roasted cabbage with black garlic, picada and olive cream.

Insider Intel

• Know that basically everything you eat will go through it; slow cooking to perfection.

Megalong Restaurant

3-7 Peach Tree Road, Megalong

Image credit: Megalong Restaurant | Supplied

Nestled into some of the Blue Mountains' most picturesque bushland, Megalong Restaurant is a paddock-to-plate dining experience in the purest form.  Here, executive chef Colin Barker (ex-The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay) is creating immersive menus using produce that is almost 100% sourced from the kitchen garden and surrounding paddocks of the regenerative and organic LOT 101 farm. 

When you visit, you'll be treated to five or six courses—a moveable feast that changes daily based on what Barker and his team have farmed and foraged. Expect snacks on arrival followed by simple but perfected proteins, vegetable sides, fruit-based desserts, and petit fours.

Insider Intel

• Never fear, matched wines are also available. 

BLAQ

13-17 Brightlands Avenue, Blackheath

Image credit: BLAQ | Steven Woodburn

Housed within Kyah, the Mountains' newest boutique hotel (see below), Blaq is a destination in its own right. Named after its Blackheath location, it's helmed by executive chef Mate Herceg and the mood is strictly local, seasonal, and sustainable—championing mountains produce at its best. "We really do have an abundance of sensational produce in the Mountains to choose from and I want to showcase that as much as possible," Herceg explains. 

On the menu at Blaq, for breakfast, you'll find things like a Croque Madame worth travelling for, stacked with Berkshire smoked leg ham, gruyere cheese, fried egg, and bechamel sauce. At dinner, it's the five-hour pork shoulder ragu we'll be writing home about. 

Insider Intel

• Created by consultant sommelier Andres Aragon (Bert’s, Trippas White Group), the list covers a little of everything from the Hunter through to Gundagai, Canberra District, Hilltops, Rylstone, Orange, and more. 

Mountain Culture Brewery

23-25 Parke Street, Katoomba 

Image credit: Mountain Culture Katoomba | Instagram

When we thought there was simply no room left for innovative and fresh craft beers in the already crowded market, along came Mountain Culture Beer Co in 2019.

Starting with a strong cult following in the industry, the small Katoomba brewery has well and truly made a name for itself, and its bricks and mortar is worth the travel.

Insider Intel

• Headed up by a former Modus Operandi brewer and his partner, the brewpub pours fresh beer straight from the tanks, which pair oh-so-well with a menu of classic American-style burgers which are by themselves worth visiting.

Elysian Bar & Restaurant

117/121 Leura Mall, Leura

Image credit: Elysian Bar | Instagram

You won’t just wander into Elysian Bar & Restaurant—you’ll need to seek it out. Tucked well beyond Leura’s main strip, this low-lit cocktail bar feels like it’s perched right on the edge of the wilderness, with sweeping valley views that hit especially hard as the sun dips.

The drawcard is a drinks list that leans playful without losing its edge—think unexpected flavour pairings, kooky names and just enough theatre to make every order feel like a gamble worth taking. From smoky mango-spiked riffs to chilli-laced tequila numbers and peachy whisky blends, it’s the kind of menu you work through slowly, one intriguing pick at a time.

Food-wise, it’s built for sharing, pulling from a grab bag of global influences—roti-based lamb tacos, Mexican-style corn ribs, Thai-leaning ceviche—without ever feeling chaotic. It all lands somewhere between elevated snack and full dinner, depending on how long you stay (and how many cocktails you get through).

Insider Intel

• Time your visit for late afternoon and snag a spot with a view—the valley backdrop turns the whole experience up a notch.

Things To Do In The Blue Mountains

Take A Drive To Bilpin Cider Company

2369 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin

Image credit: Bilpin Cider Co. | Instagram

If your ideal Blue Mountains day involves fresh air, rolling orchards and something cold in hand, Bilpin Cider Company delivers in spades. Set across a sprawling 10-acre farm, this cellar door-meets-orchard is all about slowing down—whether that’s wandering past rows of apple trees, settling in on the lawn, or making friends with the resident alpacas and miniature donkeys.

The cider is the main event, made on-site using freshly crushed Granny Smith and Pink Lady apples grown right there on the property. Expect a tight lineup of crisp, fruit-forward drops alongside drier styles and even a punchy ginger beer. New here? The tasting paddle is the move—four generous pours so you can work out your favourite without committing too early.

Food wise, you can order loaded charcuterie boards, toasted sandwiches and—on weekends—burgers and tacos. But really, there’s only one non-negotiable: the house-made apple pie. Golden, crumbly, and piled with cream, it’s definitely worth the drive.

Take A Stroll Around Everglades House And Gardens

37 Everglades Avenue, Leura

Image credit: National Trust | Instagram

Perched high above the Jamison Valley, Everglades House & Gardens is where Art Deco design meets some of the most cinematic views in the Blue Mountains. Set on Dharug and Gundungurra Country, this heritage estate is widely considered one of Australia’s most impressive inter-war gardens—and once you’re wandering its layered terraces, it’s easy to see why.

You can make a full day out of exploring the grounds, with winding paths, sculpted hedges and lookout points that frame the valley in different ways as you move through. Inside, the house offers a glimpse into 1930s elegance, with original Art Deco detailing. There’s also a tea rooms situation worth factoring into your visit. Think classic Devonshire tea—fluffy scones, jam and cream—served with a side of fresh mountain air. On sunnier days, it’s hard to go past bringing a picnic and stretching out on the lawns instead.

The Three Sisters Walk

Katoomba 

Image credit: Scenic World | Instagram

This is about as obvious an itinerary tick as it gets. You're likely in the region to first and foremost see the natural wonder of the Blue Mountains, and there's no better place to start than the Three Sisters. Begin at Echo Point in Katoomba to see the natural formation rock stars.

The easily manageable Three Sisters walk treats you to a few lookouts and a closer look at the sandstone siblings. Take the Giant Stairway and its 998 steps deep into the Jamison Valley if you're up for it.

Canyoning And Abseiling

Various Locations

Image credit: Destination NSW | Supplied

For the adventurers and thrill-seekers, canyoning and abseiling through the Blue Mountains depths is a must. If you've never done it, canyoning takes you deep down, through rainforest, caves, waterholes, rivers and creeks, with a mix of abseiling, hiking, swimming and navigating challenging routes. Or try abseiling if you prefer to stay dry and fly through the air (with ropes) down sheer rock faces—it's completely safe and a lot of fun.

Take A Spa Day At Aqua Ignis Bathhouse

239 Great Western Highway, Blackheath

Image credit: Aqua Ignis | Supplied

 

Set inside a beautifully restored heritage-listed building, Aqua Ignis Bathhouse is equal parts design statement and sensory escape. Designed by Siki Im—a Korean-born, Germany-raised designer known for his minimalist, materially rich work—the project fuses modern form with elemental ritual, bringing the ancient art of communal bathing into a distinctly Australian context.

Inside, you’ll find a 38-degree magnesium pool inspired by Japanese onsen culture, a herbal-infused steam room, a hot rock sauna, and invigorating cold plunge pools. Guests can move through contrasting bathing circuits like the Yin Flow (steam, magnesium bath, and quiet rest) or the Yang Flow (sauna, cold plunge, and social rest), depending on their mood.

Go Wild Swimming At The Pool Of Silolam

Blue Mountains National Park

Image credit: Scenic World | Instagram

There are few more rewarding experiences out there than working up a sweat on a mystical bush trail and then finding a remote watering hole to throw your clammy self into—and The Pool of Silolam and Lyrebird Dell are two refreshing head clearers.

Both are quite easily accessible—the quiet track off Carleton Road provides the jaw-dropping views of the Three Sisters. There’s an easy 1.5km circular route joining the two swimming spots together with the Gordon Falls Picnic Area but the track opens up a world of possibilities for more adventurous hikers as it connects with several trails that cover a large area of the Blue Mountains. 

Where To Stay In The Blue Mountains

Sunset Panorama

Kanimbla

Image credit: Sunset Panorama | Airbnb

Perched high above the Coxs River Valley, this secluded retreat proves you don't need to choose between wilderness and luxury. Set on a private 25-acre property with no neighbours in sight, the contemporary escape is all about the view. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame rolling mountains and dramatic sunsets from every angle, while an outdoor spa and dedicated lookout deck ensure you never miss a golden-hour moment.

The unique layout features two separate pavilions—one for sleeping and lounging, the other for dining and cooking—creating a stay that feels equal parts boutique retreat and architectural hideaway. When the sun goes down, swap the lookout deck for movie night in the property's impressive home cinema, complete with a 133-inch screen, 4K projector, and immersive surround sound. Whether you're soaking in the spa, wandering the grounds, or simply listening to the river below, this is the kind of place designed for complete disconnection.

Book with airbnb

Gang Gang Cabin

Megalong Valley

Image credit: Gang Gang Cabin | Airbnb

Hidden away in the spectacular Megalong Valley, Gang Gang Cabin feels like the luxury bush retreat every city-weary Sydneysider dreams about. Set on a secluded 25-acre property surrounded by native forest, the thoughtfully designed cabin has both rustic charm and boutique-hotel comforts—from a crackling slow-combustion fireplace and rainfall shower with valley views to a wood-fired hot tub made for long soaks beneath the stars.

The main bedroom features a picture window framing uninterrupted bush views, while the loft bedroom comes complete with a skylight for stargazing from bed. Outside, things get even better. Guests can fire up the wood-fired pizza oven (ingredients included), gather around the fire pit, or settle into the hot tub as the sun disappears behind the escarpment. With Blue Mountains walking trails nearby and no other properties visible from the cabin, it's the perfect place to switch off for a few days.

book with airbnb

Main image credit: Ates | Instagram

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