9 Must-Try Bathurst Cafes | Australian Traveller

Bathurst offers a unique dining experience that combines the town’s rich history, vibrant culture and delicious cafe cuisine.

Worlds away from the big smoke, Bathurst may not be the first place you’d expect to find exceptional coffee. But rest assured, the cafes in Bathurst offer classic favourites, a warm and welcoming country atmosphere and some of the best coffee around. If you’re planning a visit to this cruisy, charming city, make sure to include a cafe pit-stop to indulge in the culinary culture that Bathurst has to offer.

1. Country Coffee Bathurst

True to its name, Country Coffee exudes good old-fashioned small-town vibes. The staff are friendly, the menu has all your go-to favourite cafe classics, and the coffee is reliably some of Bathurst’s best.

Address: 161 George St, Bathurst

2. The Hub

The Hub is one of Bathurst’s most charming cafes, with beautiful food, easy service and a friendly atmosphere. Especially loved for its breakfasts, it serves up all the cafe favourites – from brekkie burgers with all the bells and whistles to salads and curries for lunch. You can enjoy your meal in the leafy outdoor area or cosy up inside by the log fire.

Address: 52 Keppel St, Bathurst

The Hub cafe in Bathurst, NSW — Pop into The Hub for pancakes with a twist.

3. Doppio Bathurst

Doppio is a more recent addition to the Bathurst cafe scene and is a funky spot to chill out. You can relax under the trees or the gazebo while you sip on a fresh, hot cuppa or enjoy a simple but scrummy meal for breakfast or lunch.

Address: 7 Keppel St, Bathurst

4. Mayfield Gardens

Mayfield Gardens is a 16-hectare garden nestled between the quaint towns of O’Connell and Oberon, a half-hour drive from Bathurst. The exquisite gardens and unique, nature-bathed ambience alone make it worth the extra travel time.

The menu features delicious, seasonal meals made mostly from ingredients grown on-site or nearby, and there are options to tickle everyone’s fancy. It’s an idyllic spot to enjoy a leisurely brunch or long lunch with a glass of wine while taking in the spectacular views.

Address: 530 Mayfield Road, Oberon

visitors enjoying the scenic grounds of Mayfield Garden, Oberon — Dine at the quaint, idyllic setting of Mayfield Gardens. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Crema on George

Crema on George is a beloved hole-in-the-wall cafe especially loved for its excellent Campos coffee. With a friendly atmosphere, it’s the ideal place to savour your morning cuppa, or grab a takeaway pastry and coffee to enjoy in the picturesque park just across the road.

Address: 173 George St, Bathurst

6. Annie’s Ice Cream

Step back in time at Annie’s , an adorable old-fashioned ice cream parlour. This enchanting cafe is a local favourite and has been serving up banana splits since the early 80s. With its bright and bustling atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot for families – kids will love the retro vibes and abundance of sweet treats. Annie’s is one of the longest-running cafes in the region, adding to its nostalgic charm.

Address: 82/86 George St, Bathurst

Exterior of Annie's Ice Cream — Annie’s Ice Cream is an institution. (Image: Emily Murphy)

7. Sweet Caramel

Sweet Caramel is a delightful Bathurst cafe with a cosy, country vibe. The warm and friendly atmosphere invites you to stay a while and enjoy a cafe favourite from the diverse menu of Asian dishes, Aussie classics and plenty of sweet treats. There’s a hole-in-the-wall option for takeaways too. A lovely place to soak up the relaxed ambience of the town.

Address: 183 – 185 George St, Bathurst

8. Porters Cafe

Porters is a reliable country cafe serving up all the classics – sandwiches, salads and desserts. The warm and friendly vibe makes it a nice place to cosy into on a gloomy day.

Address: 76 William St, Bathurst

9. Gunthers Lane Cafe

A great place for the tech-savvy and curious, Gunthers Lane offers one of the most unique cafe experiences in Bathurst. While you wait for your coffee and choc chip muffin you can try out the tech hub, printing something from the 3D printers, exploring virtual reality and more. The menu is simple and the coffee good.

Address: 203-209 Russell St, Bathurst

For more places to eat in Bathurst, check out our restaurant guide.

Whales breaching, fires crackling and slow-cooked feasts that make the cold so cosy, one might wish it lasted longer. Winter is no time to stay at home in NSW.

When the mercury drops, winter in NSW comes into its own. Beaches are quieter, the air is crisper and hearty food tastes even better when there’s ice on the windows.

Winter here isn’t for hiding away. It’s for long walks, deep baths, deeper reds and the kind of fireside lounging that feels simultaneously indulgent and entirely deserved after a day of exploring. From whale-watching up north to moodily lit bushwalks and pastry pilgrimages, we’ve mapped out your new favourite season.

a beach winter in nsw — From coastal walks to tasty delights, winter in NSW is a time to get out and about.

The Tweed

In winter, the NSW north coast has a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations. From May to November, humpbacks cruise past the Tweed coast between Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Spot them from the Cabarita Beach headland or get up closer with a boat cruise.

Inland, find the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre , which is home to a rotating cast of big-name exhibitions (including Monet).

Later, grab a table at Bistro Livi , where the modern Spanish menu features whipped salt cod on toast and spanner crab with curry butter and spelt flatbread. Stick around to poke through the artist studios and indie boutiques of M|Arts Precinct .

visitors at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre — Browse the art. (Image: Destination NSW)

The next day, jump aboard the Indigenous Lunch Cruise with Tweed Escapes. You’ll cruise upriver listening to yarns from local Indigenous guides, stop at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Museum and tuck into lemon myrtle-crusted snapper.

Next, drive out to Farm & Co to pull apart some juicy smoked lamb shoulder with green olive tapenade while gazing out over the macadamia fields and avocado groves of this working farm.

End the day at Mantra on Salt Beach where you’ll enjoy beach access, a heated rock spa and a lagoon pool.

dining room at Bistro Livi — Taste modern Spanish at Bistro Livi.

Blue Mountains

The cold season is hands down the best time to visit the Blue Mountains. Temperatures are perfect – sunny enough for hikes, and crisp enough at night for snuggling up.

For a trip that equally soothes and stirs, start with a meditative meander through the national park’s eucalypts and Australian wildflowers. Brave the steepest passenger railway in the world, Scenic Railway , then hop the Skyway aerial cable car for unrivalled Three Sisters views.

Thaw out at the Japanese Bath House in South Bowenfels. Soak in steamy outdoor onsens filled with natural mineral water and mountain views, wander the rose and zen gardens, or sip hot drinks in the tea house.

group leader at Blue Mountains Stargazing — Rug up for Blue Mountains Stargazing. (Image: Destination NSW)

Afterwards, head to Ates in Blackheath, where everything revolves around a 150-year-old ironbark-fuelled oven – like the wood-roasted duck with nectarines and Szechuan spice. Or visit Tempus Katoomba , which leans experimental and sustainable, serving up dishes like braised fennel with cumin, spiced yogurt and Aleppo pepper.

Rug up and head into the night with Blue Mountains Stargazing . Sessions are guided by astrophysicists, helping you understand what you’re looking at as you look into deep space.

Wrap it all up at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery Collection . There’s a whiskey bar in the basement (and crackling fires that make a dram taste even better), indoor and outdoor pools and a day spa. Kids will love the mirror maze and ice rink, too.

dishes laid out on table at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains — End the day with delicious meals at Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

Southern Highlands

Good food and wine by the fire, experienced between sifting through second-hand treasures, is a winter vibe in Bowral.

Start with a lap around Dirty Janes , an antique and vintage market. Recover from your shopping frenzy at Bendooley Book Barn , where floor-to-ceiling shelves and a roaring fire set the tone for an afternoon of red wine or hot coffee.

When it’s time to eat, head to Hickory’s Restaurant & Bar , Peppers Craigieburn Bowral’s onsite restaurant. Try the crispy pork belly with Granny Smith crisps and apple gel, or ocean trout with wakame, lemon gel and pickled radish.

couple looking through Dirty Janes in bowral — Wander the antiques at Dirty Janes. (Image: Destination NSW)

Another option, Onesta Cucina , does Italian with flair. For something more casual (with cocktails), Flour Bar swings between brunch and dinner, with an onsite bakery, over 400 wines and a hidden deli in the old bank vault.

Later, clamber Mt Gibraltar , where trails wind through eucalypt forest to views over Bowral and Mittagong.

Stay at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral , a century-old estate with open fires, elegant lounges and a nine-hole golf course.

woman and her dog winter in nsw at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral — Stay cosy at Peppers Craigieburn Bowral.

Penrith

Shake off winter inertia with an adrenaline boost out in Penrith. Kick things off with a kayak paddle on the Nepean River with Horizon Line, or head to Cables Wake Park , where cold-weather wetsuits take the edge off a wipeout.

For something a bit more cruisy, opt for the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler for slow-floating views and a hot cuppa.

kayakers on the nepean river in penrith — Head out on the Nepean River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Refuel at Marcel Bar & Bistro , where reimagined European comfort food – like seafood risotto in bisque with little neck clams and Moreton Bay bugs – is king. Then check in at the Pullman Sydney Penrith , the area’s first international five-star hotel, to enjoy your well-earned rest.

Start planning your NSW winter getaway at all.com.

9 charming cafes in Bathurst to try now