Best Blackheath Restaurants For Your Next Trip

Blackheath has become a beacon of Blue Mountains culinary excellence with a concise but considered list of places to wine and dine.

The little mountain town of Blackheath punches far above its weight with a food culture that is seasonally and locally focussed and beautifully executed. From a hatted, fire-fuelled restaurant to the region’s first natural wine bar and an agrarian-inspired farm-to-table eatery, these are the best Blackheath restaurants to dine out at now.

1. Zoe’s

For a good night out in the mountains, simply follow the red neon-lit Z. A live music venue, a sleek cocktail bar and a Mexican restaurant, Zoe’s is many things in one space that somehow seamlessly come together to create a cohesive and vibrant atmosphere.

the classy and vibrant restaurant interior of Zoe's, 35 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath — Zoe’s classy and vibrant interior is a standout.

Sidle on up to the bar for a well-mixed margarita or Oaxaca old fashioned, gather round a table for plates of corn esquites, tacos or carne asada, and toe-tap to the beats of local and international musicians.

a plate of Mexican food at Zoe's, 35 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath — Come to Zoe’s if you’re craving Mexican.

Open: Tuesday to Saturday for dinner and lunch on Saturdays, it’s a vibe you’ll want to revisit on repeat.
Address: 35 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath

2. Blaq

Set in the sleek and boutique Kyah Hotel, Blaq is an elegant and much-applauded , contemporary addition to the Blue Mountains dining scene. Local, award-winning chef Mate Herceg deftly plates the best produce of the region with sophisticated dishes that relish the season and classic cooking techniques.

a sleek and elegant dining interior at Blaq in Kyah Hotel, 13-17 Brightlands Avenue, Blackheath — Pull up a seat inside Blaq’s sleek dining space in Kyah Hotel. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

From ‘smalls’ of venison tartare with quail egg or roasted eggplant with tahini cream, to ‘bigs’ of brined kangaroo with broad beans and spinach, and vegan house-made gnocchi, as well as flame-licked cuts from the grill, Herceg’s food is both innovative and inventive.

rack of lamb with rosemary and lemon at Blaq in Kyah Hotel, 13-17 Brightlands Avenue, Blackheath — Savour the flavourful rack of lamb with rosemary and lemon. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Open: Dinner is served Wednesday to Sunday in an ambient and stylish dining room, making Blaq the perfect spot for special occasions, date nights or simply an elevated evening out.

Address: 13-17 Brightlands Avenue, Blackheath

3. Cinnabar

Star culinary duo, Corinne Evatt and Mary-Jane Craig, have been running award-winning restaurants in the Blue Mountains since they opened their four-time-hatted Ashcroft in Blackheath 2000.

the vibrant restaurant interior at Cinnabar, 246 Great Western Highway, Blackheath — Enjoy a cosy dinner in the warm-lit interior of Cinnabar.

It’s long-since closed, but their latest venture, Cinnabar Kitchen has been just as warmly welcomed with its world-inspired menu that roams from a Moroccan beetroot salad to a Punjabi spiced chicken and Parisian beef cheeks.

a plate of curd meringue at Cinnabar, 246 Great Western Highway, Blackheath — Order a plate of curd meringue.

Open: From Wednesday to Saturday, you can spend the night downstairs in the cosy, warmly lit main restaurant or, if you’re a group, book one of the two private dining rooms in ‘The Loft’ upstairs, where you can choose from one of three set grazing menus.

Address: 246 Great Western Highway, Blackheath

4. Ates

Meaning ‘fire’ in Ottoman Turkish, hatted Ates puts their 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven to work firing up Mediterranean-style share plates for lunch on the weekend and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday.

the dining space at Ates, 33 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath — Nab a spot for casual lunch or dinner at Ates.

Gathering a cornucopia of local produce from Malfoy’s wild honey to produce from Farm it Forward, head chef William Cowan Lunn and his team stoke the flames to create dishes of wood-roasted cauliflower with curry leaf butter and braised oyster blade with celeriac and horseradish remoulade, and finesse smaller plates of fresh flavours, such as the sashimi of hiramasa kingfish and classic beef tartare. For groups of six or more diners, you’ll need to embark on the chef’s banquet set menu and settle in for a parade of deliciously compiled flavours.

a table-top view of dishes at Ates, 33 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath — Feast on wood-roasted cauliflower with curry leaf butter.

Open: Dinner is served Wednesday through Sunday with lunch service available on weekends.
Address: 33 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath

5. Megalong Restaurant

Nestled amid the fruit and vegetable gardens of Lot 101 farm, which supply most of the kitchen’s produce, Megalong Restaurant is a veritable example of farm-to-table eating . In addition to the gardens that guests are invited to wander through, the farm also runs cattle and sheep, which appear on the menu, along with other locally sourced meats. It stands to reason, given its agrarian underpinning, that the menu is hyper-seasonal and may include the likes of brisket empanadas with tomatillo, smoked Murray cod or local lamb.

Open: Settle in for the set menu (with or without matching wines) over a long lunch on the weekend or dinner Thursday to Saturday.

Address: Peach Tree Road, Megalong Valley

6. Frankie and Mo’s

Heralding a new era of cosy places to while away some mountain hours, Frankie and Mo’s natural wine bar is the first of its kind in the area.

The focus at this petite 25-seater venue run by father-and-son pair Bob and Tom Colman is good, affordable drops for casual wine-lovers, but you can sip as you sup on the veg-heavy menu from Thursday to Sunday with dishes such as bruleed brie toast, potato gnocchi and Brussels sprouts with leeks and almond cream.

If you like, purchase a bottle to takeaway or drink it at the bar of the former art gallery building, or if you’re staying for a short time but a good time, choose from wines-by-the-glass.

Open: Frank and Mo’s opens its doors on Thursdays and Fridays from midday to 10pm and from 10am to 10pm on weekends.

Address: 44 Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath

For more great eats in the Blue Mountains, read our guide to Katoomba restaurants and check out our Blue Mountains travel guide for all you need to know.

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 .

6 restaurants in Blackheath to bookmark for your next trip