|
CafÉs & Restaurants in Leura
Choosing a restaurant or café in Leura is an enviable task, and if you spend several days in Leura, you're likely to feel an extra inch around the girth. There are restaurants on The Mall, along Megalong Street, on Grose Street, Cliff Drive and Sublime Point Road. It is a foodies' paradise.
Local chefs are innovative and the menu choices include seafood, meats, pastas, vegetarian offerings and fresh local produce. You will luckily find restaurants designated on the Sydney Morning Herald's 'Chef's Hat' list or recommended in the paper's Good Food Guide. For these, restaurant reservations are advised for lunch or evening dining. Several establishments are licensed, offering distinguished wines and beers.
When making your choice, don't overlook restaurants at the top of The Mall just above the Leura train station and near the Great Western Highway.Within metres of each other, these restaurants serve distinctly international menus. Check the walking map for those along Cliff Drive.
Restaurants can be quite crowded in almost every season and while this is a testament to their quality, we recommend you plan early.
Dining out in large parties can be taxing to some restaurants, so always make sure your restaurant of choice can accommodate a large party.Reservations may be required.
For most, dress is informal, but several advise 'smart casual' dress for evening dining. Hours of business vary, so for your convenience we have listed street address and telephone numbers of each restaurant or café.
Restaurants in Leura
Address:121 The Mall
Phone:02 4784 1345
The best kept restaurant secret in Leura is hidden away at the top of The Mall above the Leura train station and near the Great Western Highway intersection.
Owner and chef, Shabata Takeshi oversees the small kitchen staff - most are bilingual, and they serve up delicious traditional Japanese food and some unique dishes that you won't want to miss. Choices change frequently and fresh produce is a menu mainstay in this quirky building which resembles a ski lodge.
Prices are moderate, a great benefit for families on holidays.
Hana is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. (Credit cards)
Address:128 The Mall
Phone:02 4784 2534
If there is 'upmarket' on The Mall, Silk's is it. Sophisticated, yet relaxed, this polished restaurant is famous for its wine list, exquisite food and proprietor Stewart Robinson's eye for detail and service.
The room's warm ambience and high ceilings seem like a touch of Tuscany, and it is easy to see why legions of visiting Sydneysiders return time and again -
mellow mood, slow-food status and excellent service.
Silk's is a fully licensed restaurant and is open daily for lunch and dinner. Best make a reservation as private parties or corporate clients often book the restaurant. (Credit cards)
Address:192 The Mall
Phone:02 4782 4377
Bon Ton Café & Restaurant - in an historic Leura building - captures a prominent corner of The Mall and Megalong Street. The treed terrace offers a charming leafy ambience for outdoor dining when weather permits. We also love dining inside with the fireplace aglow on a winter's day. Either setting is quite city-chic.
Bon Ton opens daily for breakfast at 8:30 am- don't overlook the delectable pastry offerings. On a very warm December morning, we indulged in a continental breakfast, out under the trees with the daily newspaper. Traffic noise seemed distant, the mood definitely European-cafe. Nearby a group of friends met for coffee and sweets, enjoying a holiday spirit as Christmas was approaching.
At lunch and dinner Bon Ton has that bistro -feel. The menu offers a wide variety of dishes from hearty soups and large salads to full mains and delicate desserts. Note: try the warm duck salad with sautéed potato, white bean and chorizo served with a sherry vinegar and porcini dressing.
As one would expect, the restaurant staff is courteous and attentive.
Read more about Café Bon Ton's history in the Leura Walking Tour & Guidebook.
Address:118 The Mall
Phone:02 4784 2043
Located near the top of the Leura Mall, Tamarind Kitchen in a modern setting is a recent addition to the dining scene in Leura. Currently serving lunch and dinner, Tamarind offers cuisine from the North and South of India. On this misty afternoon we chose a window table which looked out over the top of Leura village. Within our view, the familiar Blue Mountains Train slowed for its stop at the Leura station, just metres from the restaurant -- a delightful slow-paced scene.
At our request, the chef kindly prepared Butter Chicken with a minimum of spicy heat. Chicken, so tender it easily surrendered to a fork, is roasted in tandoor and then pan finished with a spiced blend of tomatoes cream and dry fenugreek leaves. Delicious!
For either lunch or dinner, Tamarind Kitchen offers a menu worthy of the slow cooking movement so highly regarded in the Blue Mountains. The menu is modest and does not overwhelm one with choices -- many dishes were recognisable by those of us who love modern Indian cuisine. We are eager to try Masala Dosã (light pancakes with a filling of spiced potato and onion, served with lentil 'sambar' and chutney) on our next visit.
Takeaway service is provided and bookings for dinner are recommended.
Along Cliff Drive
Address:90 Cliff Drive
Phone:02 4782 1164
Hours:Lunch - 7 days; Dinner - Friday and Saturday
Let's talk about dining on the edge of the Blue Mountains escarpment. This terrific spot for a break from the bush has a history stretching back to 1913, when it was known as the Leura Falls Kiosk. The building is heritage listed, and proprietors Georgia Shepherd and John Cross have created an historical museum in the current kiosk. Take a moment to look at the vintage photos, old letters and foodie reviews from years past.
Kiosk favourites among the hungry bushwalkers coming up off the track are a vegetarian plate of frittata, dips, cheese and olives, or a charcuterie plate which includes terrine and cured meats served with an assortment of breads. Those of us more sedentary types will drive over for a morning coffee and delicate pastries, merely to gaze out at the spectacular view of the escarpment and find ourselves lingering over lunch in the beautiful garden setting with a sweeping view of Jamison Valley.
Friday or Saturday evening dining at Solitary Restaurant is an experience. Listed for multiple awards in the
Sydney Morning Herald, Solitary Restaurant is classy and Australian-modern in the best sense of the word. For example, a popular main, such as roast lamb rump with pesto pencil leeks and sweet potato, is among the dining enticements. Desserts are pure pleasure - indulge in the semolina pear and coconut trifle. Service is impeccable, and reservations are recommended for weekend dining. (Special functions can be arranged to fit your needs.) (Credit cards)
The Rooster Restaurant and Jamison House
Address:48 Merriwa Street and Cliff Drive, Katoomba
Phone:02 4782 1206
Jamison House, situated at the corner of scenic Cliff Drive and Merriwa Street, is one of the many iconic buildings of the Blue Mountains. Now a lovely bed and breakfast, Jamison House was built c.1902. Its companion,
The Roosteris a favourite with Leura locals for dinner, with its seasonal French menu and magnificent setting enchanting all. One never tires of those panoramic sandstone walls, where subtle changes of light or weather bring forth an entirely new vista. Inside, the old-world ambience of white linen, candles and greenery is entirely fitting for the French cuisine.
The Rooster has an extensive wine list but BYO is welcome. Service is attentive and reservations are advised. (Credit cards)
Darley's Restaurant
Address:Echo Point Road, Echo Point
Phone:02 4780 1200
An historic heritage site under the auspices of Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa houses the famous Darley's Restaurant. Darley's outlook over Jamison Valley is impressive and the ambience throughout this 19th century house is warm. Fine dining boasting modern Australian cuisine is an apt description of Darley's. (Credit cards)
Thai Square
Address:132 Megalong Street
A BYO restaurant and café, Thai Square has indoor and al fresco dining. The menu offers a great variety - spicy, hot or mild and servings are quite hardy. The Pad Thai and Thai chicken salad were perfect for sharing and both looked like works of art served up on white canvases (china) On the lower side of Megalong Street, Thai Square is open 11am to 9pm daily except for Wednesdays. (Credit cards)
Leura Chinese Restaurant
Address:145 The Mall
Phone:02 4784 1722
Fully licensed with a full bar, the restaurant is open daily except for Tuesdays for lunch and dinner. Take away service is available as is catering for private occasions.
Le Gobelet Restaurant
Address:131 The Mall
Phone:02 4784 1919
This French restaurant offers a romantic stetting and secluded garden dining. Gobelet is open for lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.(Credit cards)
Pins on Megalong
Address:156a Megalong Street
Phone:02 4784 1010
Open only Tuesday - Saturday for dinner
A touch of Japan, a touch of the Mediterranean provides a wonderful mix of dinner choices at pins. Housed in one of those lovingly maintained workman's cottages from the early 1900s, the restaurant spans several rooms and by 6:30pm, the house begins to fill. (Credit cards)
CafÉs in Leura
The Wayzgoose CafÉ
Address:174 The Mall
Phone:02 4784 1973
Wayzgoose is an old-fashioned family cafe and is renowned for its huge '
Flower Pot Scones' and 'Wayzgoose Pot Pie', We recently sampled their 'made on location' quiche and our dining partner made short order of a beautifully displayed French toast and bacon smothered in maple syrup - waistlines out the door! Pumpkin soup is a favourite among the locals on chilly winter days.
This kid-friendly café has outdoor seating, friendly service and is open daily. The late afternoon crowd shows up for coffee, sweets and conversation with proprietor Mark Alchin. (Credit cards)
The Daily Telegraph - Best Weekend article
Fresh - Espresso and Food Bar
Address:Shop 4/102 The Mall
Phone:02 4784 1159
Fresh is a "hot spot" on the Leura eatery scene - and we found good reasons to recommend it to visitors. Our lunch choice, a great risotto served in large bowls was delicate and lightly seasoned - ideal for the rainy November day. Our companion did not stray from his favourite, ricotta pancakes - breakfast is served all day.
For a great afternoon pick-me-up, try a berry smoothie -- quite rich!
Note: the kitchen closes at 3pm. (Credit Cards)
Metta CafÉ
Address:Shop 10 (upstairs), Aspects of Leura Arcade, 166-168 Leura Mall
Phone:02 4784 3110
02 4784 3110 Down the Aspects Arcade and just meters beyond Leura Blumes and Cicero, up the steps you'll find this petite café, Metta. A quiet and relaxing place with realistic prices, the locals have discovered it also. Great melts, quiche and some great Thai dishes - owner/chef is Thai. The mood is peaceful and customers are treated as friends - a great addition to Leura.
Bakehouse on Wentworth
Address:206 The Mall
Phone:4784 3588
Wonderful, wonderful fresh breads are available at this Parisienne style café. Specialty savory pies are freshly cooked on premises as well as many delicate pastries. For all the early risers, For the early risers, Bakehouse opens at 7am, or stop by midmorning for gourmet coffee.
Pick up a San Francisco style sourdough baguette for a picnic or take home a loaf of fantastic walnut sourdough bread. (Credit Cards)
Bygone Beautys
Address:0- 22 Grose, on the corner of Megalong Street
Phone:02 4784 3117
Light lunches, morning & afternoon teas are served daily and tourists queue up for the legendary Devonshire Tea which is Beautys' specialty. Amidst a collection of treasured teapots and antiques that is a
must see,you will return to Beautys each time you visit Leura. (Credit cards)
CafÉ madeleine Leura
Address:187a The Mall
Phone:02 4784 3833
Here, the temptation to order a luscious desert or yummy chocolate first is not easily held at bay. But, push enticement to the background and order a nourishing big bowl of soup or crispy fresh salad, for at Josephan's, attention is paid not only to quality of food but to presentation as well. Relaxing over a brilliant cappuccino, now order that desert. Don't forget to purchase a box of fabulous Josephan's Chocolates for the trip home, or if you are planning a wedding, check out Josephan's wedding cakes. (Credit cards)
Loaves & Dishes
Address:180a The Mall
Phone:02 4784 3600
On the corner of Megalong and The Mall, Loaves & Dishes is not to be missed. Very European in style, families share big tables and newspapers while pondering the variety of savory feasts laid out in deli style cases. The staff is friendly and attentive, and when the proprietor throws a log or two on the fire, the large room seems like a big family party. Fresh produce is a staple and all the menu choices (quiches, tarts) are made daily on the premises. When locals arrive early for coffee and sweets, you know this is a guaranteed recommendation for great casual food.
(Cash only)
Leura Gourmet
Address:159 The Mall
Phone:02 4784 1438
With a dining view out to Katoomba, Leura Gourmet fills quickly at breakfast and lunch. Wonderful selections for take-away fill the deli counter, and don't overlook the selection of gelato ice creams. (Credit cards)
Red Door Cafe
Address:134 The Mall
Phone:02 4784 1328
The chef at the Red Door uses fresh seasonal produce to create authentic and flavourful cuisine. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast and lunch. (Credit cards)
Stock Market
Address:179 The Mall
Phone:02 4784 3121
It's the wise investor who opens the door to this miniature café operated by former Sydney chef, Nicole McLlwaine. Soups, artisan breads, pastries, yummy croissant sandwiches, all are thoughtfully prepared. You'll meet travellers from the far corners of the world as you share a table for breakfast or lunch, and for a bonus on your investment, try the Market's rich Toby's Estate Coffee.
(Cash only)
Pubs
Address:62 Great Western Highway (just metres beyond The Mall)
Phone:02 4782 4422
The Alex is a most unusual combination of casual and old Leura dining. Amidst pool tables and rock & roll, the bar serves up whopping burgers and fries. In the original and more formal dining room looking out across Jamison Valley, a spicy Thai Beef Salad and other international dishes are featured on the menu. It is easy to imagine the grand old hotel, a hundred years ago, crowded with tired workers needing food and drink. This is a great spot for friends to meet and enjoy the new outdoor patio overlooking Leura. (Credit Cards)
»
Back to Top
«
|