From casual and lively pubs to funky small bars and iconic bakeries, we’ve found some of Jindabyne’s best eateries.
The alpine town of Jindabyne in the Snowy Mountains is base camp to Australia’s highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko. With ample cafes and restaurants at your fingertips, it makes for a fuss-free stay near the mountain, year-round. Here are some of the best Jindabyne restaurants.
The shortlist
Family-Friendly Spot: Bacco Italian Restaurant
Best for Brunch: Birchwood
Best for Large Groups: The Banjo Paterson Inn
Best Date Night: Pinot’s Wine Bar
1. The Banjo Paterson Inn
This alpine-style stone-clad hotel is open year-round is a favourite gathering place for both locals and travellers. Clancy’s Brasserie on the ground floor offers a pub-style menu with classics such as chicken schnitzel, Caesar salad, a grill selection and its famous ‘Snowy’ trout.
In The Overflow upstairs, you’ll find burgers and pizzas. It’s also home to Musters Bar, which spills out onto an outdoor terrace with views of Lake Jindabyne and regular live tunes, and microbrewery Kosciuszko Brewhouse, where the original Kosciuszko Pale and limited-edition seasonal ales are on tap.
Cuisine: Pub fare / Modern Australian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Relaxed
Location: 1 Kosciuszko Road, Jindabyne
2. Bacco Italian Restaurant
Bacco has been serving delicious Italian cuisine for 25 years. It’s a rustic, cosy spot right in the centre of Jindabyne to enjoy a la carte dining – think pizzas, pastas and mains such as pollo bacco and veal scallopini, topped off by affogato or homely lumberjack cake for dessert.
Or you can order pizza and pasta from the takeaway menu to eat back at your accommodation or perhaps by Lake Jindabyne, which is a few minutes’ walk from here, during warmer months.
Cuisine: Italian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Rustic
Location: 10 Snowy River Ave, Jindabyne
3. Birchwood
Fuel up for a day on the slopes or traversing the Snowy’s best bushwalks at Birchwood . In the heart of town, this cosy cafe serves wholesome breaky dishes such as granola, avo on toast, and Turkish eggs, as well as all-day options including a B&E roll and toasties. For lunch, a creamy soup, poke bowls and burgers are added to the menu. Add a coffee made with Single O beans or a house-brewed kombucha to sip on – or peruse the booze options after 10am. We love Birchy’s Lunch Packs, made especially for days up on the mountain: think a jam-packed sandwich, fresh-squeezed juice, veggie sticks and fruit, and a store-baked sweet slice.
Cuisine: Modern Australian fusion
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Relaxed
Location: Unit 3/3 Gippsland St, Jindabyne
4. Cocina Taqueria
Here at Cocina Taqueria , they encourage long dinners, deep conversations and losing track of time. Add in an entire menu dedicated to tequila, mezcal and margaritas and we don’t have any problem doing that. The intimate, dimly lit restaurant has subtle Mexican styling, while the menu is traditional Mexican dishes with a modern twist.
There are tacos and burritos, as well as small and large plates such as ceviche, jalapeno poppers and Oaxacan lamb barbacoa.
Cuisine: Mexican
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Intimate
Location: Shop 5/33 Kosciuszko Rd, Jindabyne
5. Brumby Bar & Grill
A stalwart of Jindabyne since 1982, Brumby Bar & Grill serves pub favourites such as chicken schnitzel, beer-battered fish and chips, burgers and steak. Don’t let the outdated exterior deter you: inside the dining room is warm and stylish, complete with a stone fireplace for the cooler months.
Cuisine: Pub fare / Modern Australian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Relaxed
Location: Cnr Kosciuszko Road &, Kalkite St, Jindabyne
6. Takayama Restaurant and Bar
Sit down for some Japanese izakaya in the mountains at this town centre restaurant . The menu spans small plates such as edamame, sushi rolls and pork gyoza, to large share plates including karaage, katsu and tataki beef. Or order some piping hot ramen for one. Top off the experience with a glass of Sapporo or a yuzu cocktail.
Cuisine: Japanese
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Sleek
Location: Shop 19/5 Snowy River Ave, Jindabyne
7. Jindabyne Bowling Club
Who doesn’t love a casual dinner at the bowlo ? This one is perfect for families, not only for the affordable food but also because there’s an indoor playground that the kids (and parents) will love, no matter the weather outside. Chow down on a burger, prawn cutlets, chicken parmi, a steak sandwich and all your other pub favourites, and try your hand at trivia on Thursdays. There’s also a courtesy bus that services Jindabyne and its surrounds – a bonus when you’re on holiday and want to enjoy a drink while out at dinner.
Cuisine: Pub fare / Modern Australian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: 2 Bay St, Jindabyne
8. Jindabyne Brewing Co
After a day on the mountain, ski instructor Karl Veiss was enjoying a beer in a hot tub at a friend’s place when he had the idea to start up a family-friendly brewery. And so, Jindabyne Brewing was born – a warehouse-style brewery tucked away in a quieter street of town, on a property that has views of Lake Jindabyne.
Sample the five beers on tap – including Alpine Red X, a dark lager, and Hefe Veiss, a German wheat beer – and order from the succulent meat skewers menu with a side of house chips and aioli.
Cuisine: Mediterranean share plates / Grilled meats
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Relaxed
Location: 5 Nettin Cct, Jindabyne
9. Panorama Thai
Just around the corner from Jindabyne Brewing, this Thai restaurant is tucked away in an unassuming motel. But if you’re craving Thai cuisine, you won’t be disappointed. The dining room is simple but light and airy and has an incredible view of Lake Jindabyne. The menu is concise but full of extremely flavoursome dishes such as Massaman beef and chilli basil eggplant. The pad kee mao is delicious, but they don’t lie when they say spicy.
Cuisine: Thai
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Relaxed
Location: 16 Nettin Cct, Jindabyne
10. Sundance Bakery
Just follow the crowds to this cult bakery , located within the Nuggets Crossing Shopping Centre in Jindy – the flagship store of three in the Snowies, the other two are in Bullocks Flat and Perisher. Grab a takeaway coffee and a freshly made pastry, toastie, pie or roll to pack for a day on the mountain.
Cuisine: Bakery
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: 6 Kosciuszko Rd, Jindabyne
11. Nimmitabel Bakery
Founded in the town of Nimmitabel, east of Jindabyne, this bakery has been serving freshly baked goods using traditional methods since 1950. Its Jindabyne outpost in Nuggets Crossing Shopping Centre has a cosy fireplace, perfect to sit around and enjoy a coffee made with Seven Miles’ Black Mountain coffee beans, with a brekky wrap or a homemade pie. You can also order a hamper, filled with pies or pastries, or some snacks from the pantry, to enjoy while up on the mountain.
Cuisine: Bakery
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: Shop 3 Nuggets Crossing Shopping Centre, 13 Kalkite St, Jindabyne
12. Parc Cafe
Adjoining the Snowy Region Visitor Centre in town, Parc serves an all-day menu featuring a big brekkie, burritos, sambos and wraps. Pouring Madding Crowd coffee, organic juices and smoothies, alongside local brews from Jindabyne Brewing and Shut the Gate wines. Sit out in the sunshine – where, during summer, they occasionally have live music – or retreat inside when it’s subzero temps out.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: 49 Kosciuszko Rd, Jindabyne
13. Pinot’s Wine Bar
There are plenty of lively pubs in Jindabyne, but if it’s a glass of wine in a dimly lit and elegant bar, then Pinot’s is your place. Pinot’s has a succinct wine menu, a rotating selection of craft beer on tap and cocktails. These are to be enjoyed with bar bites such as toasted brioche with ricotta and white anchovies, pumpkin and truffle arancini balls or a cheese board. And come winter, things get even cosier, with the fireplace roaring.
Cuisine: Bar bites
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Intimate
Location: Shop 18b Nuggets Crossing Shopping Centre, Snowy River Ave, Jindabyne
14. Holly Go Lightly
Holly Go Lightly is a good-time diner serving pubby fare. There’s American-style poutine, fried cheese balls and burgers such as maple bacon, beef and cheeseburger.
Cuisine: Pub fare / American
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Relaxed
Location: 6 Thredbo Terrace, Jindabyne
15. Jindabyne Emporium
They call themselves the good booze merchants for their curated selection of craft and indie beers, natural and lo-fi wines and Aussie spirits. Come by Jindabyne Emporium and get acquainted with the drinks menu during Happy Hour, every day from 4pm to 6pm.
The menu is super casual, with a solid offering of burgers, tacos and flavourful bar snacks, from pork belly nuggets to cheeseburger spring rolls. The bar-style venue also has a view over Lake Jindabyne from its central location in town.
Cuisine: Pub fare / Mexican
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: Level 1, Shop 14/33 Kosciusko Road, Jindabynev
16. Stacks Pizza
Pizza happily fills most bellies. Newly opened Stacks Pizza is a self-described hole-in-the-wall that offers both takeaway, by the slice, and dine-in with BYO wine. What more could you want!?
The mouthwatering menu includes classics such as ham and pineapple, supreme and meat lovers, plus other flavours including chorizo, boscaiola and Pontiac potato.
Cuisine: Italian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: 1 Kosciuszko Rd, Jindabyne
17. Beach Burrito Co
There may be no beaches in the Snowy Mountains, but the coastal-style Beach Burrito Co brand has morphed into the perfect apres ski spot here in Jindy. One of five locations, the Jindabyne outpost has a menu filled with tasty Mexican street fare – tacos, quesadillas, burritos – as well as tequila, margaritas, sangria and beer. There’s also a kids’ menu, including a DIY taco kit.
The casual diner set right in the heart of town also boasts an epic view over Lake Jindabyne, from its bench-style tables that are perfect for groups and mingling with other mountain-goers.
Cuisine: Mexican
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: Level 3 / Shop 5/3 Kosciuszko Rd, Jindabyne
18. Bebita
In the backstreets of Jindabyne, this wholesome fresh food cafe serves up brunch, lunch and dinner – think coffee, juice, salads, nachos, burrito bowls and tacos. They also make killer cheesecakes, with ever-changing flavours such as mint choc, caramilk, Kit Kat, which look just as incredible as they taste. Nab a table on the outdoor terrace in the sunshine and linger longer with a BYO bottle of wine or beer.
Cuisine: Mexican
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: 1 Snowy River Ave, Jindabyne
19. Embers Fireside Grill
Located within Horizons Lake Jindabyne – formerly Rydges – Embers Fireside Grill is an elegant restaurant open for dinner. Just as its name suggests, there’s a roaring fireplace come the winter months.
The newly rebranded hotel has elevated the dining menu, focusing on Australian ingredients with some Asian inspiration. Choose from dishes such as karaage chicken, sesame duck, fillet mignon and chilli garlic prawn pasta.
Cuisine: Modern Australian / Asian
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Elegant
Location: 1 Snowy River Ave, Jindabyne
20. The Market Jindabyne
In the centre of town, The Market Jindabyne is the place to pick up hyper-local and good quality produce and supplies, such as cured meats, cheeses, honey, preserves and organic fruit and veggies.
Settle into the cosy lounge to order a coffee, matcha or juice. Pair it with a toastie – arguably the best in town – made with local sourdough, a pastry or a smoothie bowl. They also offer taster plates, which allows you to try some of the produce in store before you buy.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: 6/141 Snowy River Avenue, Jindabyne
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