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CafÉs & Restaurants in LeuraChoosing 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 an eater’s 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 locations at or near the top of The Mall and Great Western Highway. Within metres of each other, these restaurants serve distinctly international menus. Check the walking map for those along Cliff Drive or Solitary Point Road.
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. CafÉs in LeuraBakehouse on WentworthAddress: 206 The Mall 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, 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. The baker often has a 2-for-1 sale table. (Credit Cards) Bygone Beautys Address: 0- 22 Grose, on the corner of Megalong Street 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 Bon Ton RestaurantAddress: 192 The Mall Bon Ton Café & Restaurant captures a prominent corner of The Mall and Megalong Street. The treed terrace offers a charming shaded ambience for outdoor dining, and dining inside, with the fireplace aglow, is ideal on a winter’s day. When the weather permits, visitors often linger over an unhurried lunch on the terrace. Bon Ton opens daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the menu offers a wide variety of dishes from hearty soups and large salads to full mains and delicate desserts. 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. Josephan’s CafÉAddress: 187a The Mall 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 & DishesAddress: 180a The Mall 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) Red Door Cafe Address: 134 The Mall The chef at the Red Door uses fresh seasonal produce to create authentic and flavoursful cuisine adding an international flair to the Leura dining scene. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast and lunch. (Credit cards) Solitary KioskAddress: 90 Cliff Drive 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 you won’t want to overlook. The chef’s creative warm chorizo salad with Puy lentils and capsicum is a favourite with visitors. Kiosk hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Stock MarketAddress: 179 The Mall 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) The Wayzgoose CafÉAddress: 174 The Mall A favourite with the locals, Wayzgoose is renowned for its famous for its huge ‘Flower Pot Scones’ and ‘Wayzgoose Pot Pie.’ This kid friendly café has outdoor seating, fast friendly service and is open daily. The late afternoon crowd shows up for coffee, sweets and conversation with proprietor Mark Alchin and daughter, Rebecca. (Credit cards) Delis in LeuraLeura DeliAddress: Arcade, Shop 4, The Mall You’re certain this is London! Perhaps you’ve arrived in New York’s Chelsea district? Or, Sydney’s Newtown. Tucked away in the Leura Arcade is a most enticing deli – the kind you rarely find outside these major cities. Choices are incredible and oh, so edible – Italian antipasti, pâtés, imported cheese, smoked salmon and aged meats – the makings of a perfect picnic or a fantastic meal in a Leura holiday cottage. Like rows of uniformed toy soldiers, bottles of pastilles, mustard, pesto and jams stand at attention. Producing a colourful array, Yarra Valley oils and Italian vinegars line the shelves side by side and will impress even the most jaded connoisseur. The variety that proprietors Julie and Peter Galea offer is remarkable. One last item: ask Julie about the innovative “packaged frozen margaritas or daiquiris” – certainly a conversation piece for any outdoor occasion. Leura GourmetAddress: 159 The Mall 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) PubsThe Alexandra HotelAddress: 62 Great Western Highway (just metres beyond
The Mall) 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. Restaurants in LeuraCafÉ Bon Ton RestaurantAddress: 192 The Mall Bon Ton Café & Restaurant captures a prominent corner of The Mall and Megalong Street. The treed terrace offers a charming shaded ambience for outdoor dining, and dining inside, with the fireplace aglow, is ideal on a winter’s day. When the weather permits, visitors often linger over an unhurried lunch on the terrace. Bon Ton opens daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the menu offers a wide variety of dishes from hearty soups and large salads to full mains and delicate desserts. 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.
Darley’s restaurantAddress: Echo Point Road, Echo Point 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) eucalypt restaurant
(York Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains)
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