5 tasty Katoomba cafes to try now

Lara Picone Lara Picone
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Caffeinate ahead of a day exploring the Blue Mountains at these excellent Katoomba cafes.

Katoomba is serious about starting the day with a good cuppa and equally good eats, from local coffee roasters peddling their wares to a robust French breakfast, coffee with a view, and a bakery that pairs flaky treats with excellent beans, there’s no shortage of cafes to take you from breakfast to lunch and beyond. Here’s a round-up of the top spots to sit and sip.

1. Cassiopeia

You’ll find two of the four Cassiopeia espresso bars in Katoomba, so you’ll never be short of a good brew to kickstart the day. The Lurline Street cafe is open daily from the bright-eyed hour of 6am, while the 3/59 Megalong Street venue is a Monday-to-Friday affair.

It is very much about the bean here with minimal eats to be had, but there are the usual suspects of coffee pairings, such as toast, banana bread and pastries. If you fall in love with the brews, you can take a bag of beans home with you, too.

the cafe interior of Cassiopeia, Katoomba
Kickstart the day with a warm brew at Cassiopeia.

Address: Unit 3, 59 Megalong Street, Katoomba; 79 Lurline Street, Katoomba

2. The Lookout Echo Point

Enjoy your breakfast served at The Lookout with a side of stunning, sweeping views as you gaze at Echo Point. Settle in to sit at Bar NSW and enjoy classics of eggs your way, waffles and breakfast rolls, or grab-and-go from the Milkbar and find a perch with incredible views of the Three Sisters. You can also roll in for lunch or snacks with a menu that services a range of appetites from small share plates to burgers and larger mains and an award-winning wine list on the pour at Bar NSW.

Address: 33 Echo Point Road, Katoomba.

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3. Black Cockatoo Bakery

Bread made slowly and beautifully using organic ingredients is at the heart of Black Cockatoo Bakery – a big reason this cafe remains a Blue Mountains favourite. If it’s good coffee and the flakiest and most golden of pastries you’re after, you need only set Google Maps here on a Wednesday to a Sunday.

Single O coffee is run through the machine and you shouldn’t (read: won’t) leave without cradling a loaf of fresh-baked sourdough in your arms. Each day is a different loaf, from Miche to emmer and a delightful apricot and fennel.

a tray of croissants at Black Cockatoo Bakery, Katoomba
Buttery and flaky croissants are perfect with a cup of coffee.

Address: 165 Katoomba Street, Katoomba.

4. Little Paris Cafe

Nobody does breakfast and brunch quite like the French, so if you’re after a wonderfully buttered start to the day, direct yourself to Little Paris Cafe. The menu is just the classics with no room for anything that isn’t French or heavy-handed with the cheese, so go for the croque monsieur, brioche toast, or omelette with Toulouse sausage for the all-day breakfast, or, if you’re looking to lunch, opt for crepes salees (savoury crepes) or traditional baguettes. There’s also good, fair-trade coffee and, of course, a range of sweeties that can’t easily be refused.

Address: Shop 4/81–83 Katoomba Street, Katoomba.

5. On The Soul Side

A little bit of quirk and good coffee make On The Soul Side cafe a must-swing-by when you’re in and around the mountains. There’s often live music happening here, but if not, there’s always good music playing from owner Dave’s collection. Stop by for a toastie or a bacon and egg charity roll, from which a portion of the proceeds go to not-for-profit charity, Thrive in the Mountains. There are also sweet treats of Bilpin apple pies and sticky date pudding, as well as a changing menu of savoury dishes, which may include an Indian Vegetable Curry.

Address:  1 Goldsmith Place, Katoomba

Lara Picone
Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.