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13 of the best Mudgee restaurants to try now

Lara Picone Lara Picone
Mudgee over-delivers on everything from fine dining to sophisticated wine bars and cosy cellar doors.

With about 40 cellar doors, a distillery, breweries and countless restaurants and cafes, it’s little wonder that Mudgee has become a household name among Australian foodies. Most restaurants here would be perfectly at home in the fine-dining streets of Sydney or Melbourne, without any pretence. It might be down to a regional focus on local produce, or perhaps innovative chefs perfecting their flavours.

Explore the wining and dining scene with our pick of the best places to dine and wine when visiting Mudgee and its surrounds.

The shortlist

Best For Large Groups: Pipeclay Pumphouse
Best farm-to-table: The Zin House
Best casual eats: Mudgee Brewing Co.

Pipeclay Pumphouse

Pipeclay Pumphouse mudgee restaurants
The elegantly rustic restaurant boasts panoramic views. (Image: Destination NSW)

The rustic Pipeclay Pumphouse restaurant at Robert Stein Vineyard takes its paddock-to-plate philosophy seriously. Most of the veggies and herbs are grown on site; the cattle, chicken and sheep are farmed here; and they make their own prosciutto and cured meats.

Main meals include the likes of Sweet potato with burrata, orzo, walnut and sage, and apple cider pork shoulder, rosemary. But it would be a mistake not to start with the Panko crumbed haloumi, dressed with honey, lime and pistachio.

While the restaurant is well known for its dinner sittings, you needn’t overlook its impressive six-course degustation long lunch offering. Add matching Robert Stein wines for a truly delicious experience.

Cuisine: Flavours of the Mediterranean and Middle East
Average price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Friendly and elevated
Location: Pipeclay Lane, Budgee Budgee

The Zin House

the zin house dining table
Sit down to one of the best meals of your life, in adorable surrounds.

Serving as the cellar door restaurant at Lowe Wines & Co., The Zin House’s extensive orchard and zinfandel paddock supply most of the restaurant’s organic produce, which is then prepared from scratch using classic techniques. What they don’t grow themselves, they source from local producers to provide a truly local experience.

Long lunch sittings are popular, so be sure to book in advance. The optional wine pairing is highly recommended, featuring a mix of regional and estate-produced wines.

Cuisine: Elevated modern Australia
Average price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Relaxed and open-plan
Location: 327 Tinja Lane, Mudgee

Mudgee Brewing Co.

meals at mudgee brewing co in mudgee
Hop over to Mudgee Brewing Co.

Food at a brewery can go one of two ways: lacklustre pub grub or upscale regional fare. Thank goodness Mudgee Brewing Co. delivers the latter.

Gary Leonard left the coal mining industry to open Mudgee’s only microbrewery in 2007. The 100-year-old former wool store has served as one of the town’s favourite watering holes ever since, with eight taps pouring the latest onsite craft brews.

Find an extensive food menu featuring beer snacks, pizzas and a variety of mains; confit duck, prawn pasta and mussels will satiate sophisticated appetites, while the fish and chips, schnitzel burgers and wings are for those who don’t mind getting their hands dirty. Live music adds to the ambience and, unlike most breweries, this one goes the extra mile with table service.

Cuisine: Pub grub
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: 4 Church Street, Mudgee

Roth’s Wine Bar

food at Roth’s Wine Bar mudgee
Wine might be the main feature, but Roth’s food isn’t far behind. (Image: Destination NSW)

The oldest wine bar in the country, Roth’s Wine Bar hits all the right notes for an incredible local wine menu, perfect bites to share and local stories full of flavour.

Robert Roth originally opened the space as a general store, serving a sneaky tipple to thirsty farmers on occasion before licensing the premises as a wine bar in 1923. Today, local characters keep their weekly bookings to drink, dine and dance (there is live music on Fridays).

There are now over 100 premium Roth wines on offer, along with an increasing number of local drops. Don’t be shy to order a cocktail or two, either – friendly bar staff will pour them with expertise and local liquor. Aside from wine, cocktails and craft beers, the bar serves a perfect selection of bites, like a wood-fired pizza menu and share plates like lemon pepper squid.

Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Casual for a night out
Location: 30 Market Street, Mudgee

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Jumbucks at the Woolpack Hotel

Not your stock-standard pub grub, the Woolpack Hotel sidesteps expectations with its casual Asian-fusion eatery, Jumbucks. You can get everything here from garlic prawns to san choy bow, gyoza and a range of stir-fries and omelettes. But this is still an Aussie country pub, so be comforted with an additional classics menu that doesn’t leave anyone out.

Cuisine: Chinese-fusion
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: 67 Market St, Mudgee

29 Nine 99

dining room 29 nine 99 yum cha and tea house
Enjoy incredibly tasty dumplings in eclectic surrounds. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

Artist-turned-tea-house-owner, Na Lan, has been steaming handmade dumplings at 29 Nine 99 in a quaint sandstone building in Rylstone since 2008.

Find a spot amid the eclectic artworks and gifts, then settle in for rounds of tea and pillowy-soft dumplings. While Na Lan never trained as a chef, you’d never know it. She says she likes to “spoil her taste buds", which leads to deliciously crafted dim sum. This diminutive restaurant is hugely popular, so book ahead on weekends.

Cuisine: Yum cha
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Eclectic
Location: 28 Louee Street, Rylstone

Smokin Bro & Co

Smokin Bro & Co texan bbq
It’s all about hearty eats at Smokin Bro & Co.

What could go better with craft brews than Texan BBQ? Find Smokin Bro & Co inside Three Tails Brewery, offering slow-cooked BBQ, cooked with fire and smoke.

Tuck into everything from brisket burgers to a kransky taco and opt in for a stack of sides, such as cornbread, sweet potato casserole and bacon mac. The barbecue is stoked from Wednesday to Thursday nights and seasons the Mudgee air with curls of smoke over lunch on Friday and Saturday.

Cuisine: Texan BBQ
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: 13A Lewis Street, Mudgee

The Oriental Hotel

the oriental hotel, mudgee, outdoor dining
Enjoy al fresco dining at The Ori. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

Known colloquially as ‘The Ori’, one of Mudgee’s classic pubs has enjoyed a glow in the last year or two to include various indoor and outdoor dining options. There’s something for everyone on the menu, from pizzas to Bangladeshi to a more elevated modern Australian section. As for drinks, find ice-cold brews on tap, as well as a dedicated gin bar for tasty cocktails.

Cuisine: Pub grub
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Warm & welcoming
Location: 6 Lewis St, Mudgee

The Barn at Blue Wren Farm

The Barn at Blue Wren Farm
Taste sustainable, elegant and delicious meals. (Image: Elise Hassey)

Taking simple, seasonal ingredients and finessing them to become the best versions of themselves, the fare at the Barn on the idyllic Blue Wren Farm is sustainable, elegant and wholly delicious. Take a seat outdoors and enjoy a procession of plates that pair well with the accompanying wine list.

From prosciutto with persimmon and pickled chilli to larger plates of chargrilled lamb backstrap skewers with lentils and yoghurt and a chicken cotaletta with fried capers, the Italian-leaning menu is long lunch perfection, but you can also dine in the evenings from Thursday to Saturday.

Groups of 10 or more will need to book in for a set menu experience, which is an entirely agreeable way to spend a few hours – just be sure to book a taxi back to your accommodation.

Cuisine: Italian
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Relaxed
Location: 433 Ulan Road, Mudgee

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Elton’s Bar + Bites

Elton's Bar + Bites mudgee
Dine at Elton’s Bar + Bites from breakfast until dinner. (Image: Destination NSW)

Once the original 1896 Elton’s Pharmacy building, this now modern hangout with a menu that delivers on its namesake – expect to do lots of eating and drinking at Eltons. While the all-day menu features salads, schnitzels and burgers, it’s the breakfast offerings that really shine. Take a seat in the main bar, the open-air courtyard or on the sunny footpath out front.

Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: 81 Market Street, Mudgee

Isabella’s Trattoria

You’ll know you’ve arrived at Isabella’s Trattoria when you spot the sign that says you have found the “food you’ve been looking for". This place ups the ante when it comes to upscale Italian fare.

Maroon awnings feature a cursive decal out the front, transporting customers to an Italian side street from the get-go. An open-plan kitchen allows customers to see the masters at work, manoeuvring around the kitchen with beautiful European finesse. Match the risotto, garlic prawns and seafood pasta with a drop from the lengthy wine list. For dessert, the tiramisu is the sweet pick-me-up your evening needs.

Cuisine: Traditional Italian
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Welcoming
Location: 52 Market St, Mudgee

Warakirri Dining Experience by Indigiearth

Warakirri Dining Experience by indigiearth in mudgee
Taste native bush tucker and botanicals across five courses.

Operated by Indigiearth founder Sharon Winsor, a Ngemba Weilwan woman from Western NSW, this intimate dining experience shared by only 30 guests per night unravels native bush tucker and botanicals across five courses.

A deep love and respect for Indigenous food, dovetailing with her culinary mastery, enables Sharon to take diners on an immersive gastronomic journey into ancient skills and flavours. Over four hours, share incredible dishes paired with beverages, while enjoying cultural entertainment such as music and storytelling.

2026 dates will be announced soon.

Cuisine: Australian
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: Huntington Estate, 641 Ulan Road, Buckaroo

Paragon Hotel

This 1857 gold rush-era hotel has Aussie pub ambience down to a fine art. The pub’s Bushman eatery isn’t reinventing the wheel, and nor does it have to when classic grub comes this well-finished. Tuck into your usual suspects, should you feel like fish and chips, steak or a chicken schnitty, but there are also nouveau pub classics, such as a warm cauliflower salad, grilled fish tacos and pan-fried salmon. The wine list is curated with local-leaning, as expected.

Cuisine: Pub grub
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: 38 Perry Street, Mudgee

Between eats, follow our guide for the 21 of the very best things to do in Mudgee.

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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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9 of the best Sydney hotel bars for a local adventure during Vivid

(Credit: Nikki To)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
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    A great night out doesn’t need a road trip, just the right bar. Swap the long drive for an evening at these standout Sydney venues.

    If you’re thinking of a staycation or a long weekend (with foodie benefits), you can’t get much better than the bright lights and beautiful vistas of Sydney. From tucked-away bars to late-night hidden hangs, Australia’s (unofficial) favourite city is packed full of venues that make staying local feel like an adventure.

    And with Vivid lighting up the sky this winter, there’s no better time to find the perfect cosy spot to enjoy the views or escape the crowds.

    1. El Vista, Circular Quay

    bar tender at El Vista, Circular Quay sydney hotel bars
    Enjoy tasty cocktails and gorgeous Sydney views. (Credit: Mario Francisco)

    This welcoming bar by the Maybe Sammy team offers a fun buzz and jaw-dropping harbour views. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, this lounge bar sits above Circular Quay with the harbour on one side and the Botanical Gardens on the other. You may start here for pre-dinner drinks, but you won’t want to leave before the early hours. If the 1960s Acapulco vibe isn’t enough, the views will be – the Sydney Harbour Bridge is so close it hardly fits in the window, while ferries glide by all night.

    2. Bar Allora, CBD

    Bar Allora, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Settle in for a taste of Italy.

    Inspired by Milan in the 1980s, Bar Allora brings Italian style and culture to the CBD. Although it’s officially part of the Mantra 2 Bond Street hotel, it’s designed to look and feel like you’ve travelled to Italy for all-day dining. Think espresso in the morning, aperitivo in the afternoon and Negronis late into the night. Accompany your liquid diet with Italian-style small plates and pastas with a modern twist.

    3. Percy, Pyrmont

    Percy Sydney hotel bars
    Spanish-style tapas and wine is the name of the game. (Credit: Steven Woodburn)

    Taking centre stage in the luxe foyer of the Woolstore 1888 Hotel in Pyrmont, Percy is a popular Spanish-style tapas and wine bar serving food that makes you want to linger. The restored 138-year-old wool store creates an atmospheric backdrop to your glass of merlot with exposed timber beams, brick and the echoes of Sydney’s past. With an air of Barcelona, expect low conversations, creative dining and the city moments away.

    4. The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD

    The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Seafood lovers should head to The Crudo Bar. (Credit: Nikki To)

    Grab a seat at the beautifully designed crudo bar, taking centre stage of Giovanni Pilu’s latest CBD restaurant, Flaminia. Enjoy a glass of chilled Vermentino from Sardinia or prosecco from the hills of Treviso, matched with freshly shucked oysters. Complement your seafood with a range of special dressings, influenced by iconic Italian port cities. It’s the perfect spot for a pre- or post- glass of wine before visiting the Sydney Opera House.

    5. Mee So, Sydney Central

    Mee So sydney
    Enjoy Japanese-influenced food and drinks.

    For something a little different, Mee So is a modern, neon-lit Japanese-influenced bar in the Ibis Sydney Central. Serving bold flavours and umami-heavy dishes alongside sake and yuzu-infused cocktails, this Tokyo-esque venue offers an escape from the busy streets outside. Order steaming ramen, a Japanese whisky and make a corner of Mee So yours for the night.

    6. Bar Morris, Haymarket

    Bar Morris sydney
    Settle into old-world European glamour.

    Housed in a 1929 heritage-listed building, Bar Morris brings old-world European glamour to the Hotel Morris Sydney, part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection. More of a destination than a pitstop, this bar leans into its Art Deco past with velvet features, intimate lighting and bold brass finishes. Here you can order smaller plates like burrata, cured meats, and seasonal seafood to match your martini.

    7. Pumphouse, Darling Harbour

    Pumphouse sydney
    Enjoy a tipple inside a building from the 1880s.

    When you first walk into Pumphouse, you’ll quickly notice the high ceilings, exposed brick and industrial style decor. Officially part of the busy Novotel Darling Square, this busy local hang doesn’t feel like it; it’s housed inside a former hydraulic pumping station from the 1880s – hence the name – and a local institution. Grab a seat if you can and order off the classic modern Australian menu, before trying one of the many craft beers on tap to wash it down.

    8. Wentworth Bar, CBD

    Wentworth Bar sydney hotel bars
    Drink where the celebrities once did.

    Designed for big groups and late-night cocktails, this open-air terrace bar is part of the Sydney Sofitel Wentworth – one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels. Once the watering hole of royals and celebrities, this mid-century building has recently been refurbished to be sleek, modern and inviting. The stunning rooftop bar attracts Sydneysiders who love to watch the sunset with a table full of Vietnamese and French-inspired dishes.

    9. Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington

    Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington sydney
    See the city skyline, drink in hand.

    Sitting pretty on top of a restored 110-year-old theatre, Monica is a Hollywood-style rooftop bar with views across Paddington and the city skyline. Part of the 25hrs The Olympia hotel, this isn’t a quick drink kind of place, it’s a ‘let’s stay all night’ kind of venue. Weekend DJs will take you from sunset to late-night conversations, while you graze on ceviche, grilled meats or sharing plates.

    For more information on how to enjoy Sydney for a long weekend, visit ALL.com.