18 Thredbo restaurants to live your ultimate après-ski life

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Enjoy stellar schnapps, international cuisine and lively village atmosphere at the best Thredbo restaurants.

From an on-mountain hut serving up gourmet three-course lunches to a truffle cheese fondue and glorious takes on hot chocolate, Thredbo restaurants are an eclectic mix of utter indulgence.

Here, we’ve collated the best Thredbo restaurants in every category so you can enjoy pub classics, terrific to-gos and lavish feasts knowing you’re dipping your toes in the region’s finest.

The shortlist

Best coffee: Zack’s on Central Road
Best views: Eagles Nest
Most Instagrammable: Candlelight Lodge
Hottest new opening: Izakaya By Yamagen
Family-friendly spot: Merritts Mountain House

1. Izakaya By Yamagen

Japanese cuisine at Izakaya By Yamagen, Thredbo
Order authentic Japanese cuisine at Izakaya By Yamagen. (Image: Thredbo Resort)

One of the hottest openings (and drawcards) of the 2024 ski season, Izakaya By Yamagen will again pull steady crowds when the seasonal Thredbo restaurant opens for a second year of slurp-tastic dining in winter. Brought down south by the team behind the Gold Coast’s long-adored Yamagen inside Surfers Paradise’s QT Hotel, the epic Japanese eatery pumps Asian cuisine into Thredbo’s offerings. These snow fields have long cried out for such authentic deliciousness.

The signature ramen in all varieties, plus the sesame-seeded Karaage chicken, is famed but there’s also hand-rolled sushi, deep-fried gyoza, rice bowls and snacks to devour. You’ll find it at the end of the bridge on Friday Drive, right after the Valley Terminal, where a Barbie-pink door simply can’t be ignored.

Cuisine: Japanese

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Trendy

Location: Friday Dr, Thredbo

2. Alpine Pizzeria

hand-stretched pizzas at Alpine Pizzeria, Thredbo
Find a warm selection of hand-stretched pizzas at Alpine Pizzeria. (Image: Ben Calvert)

Whether you’re hankering for easy takeaway or craving languid carb loading, Alpine Pizzeria is a chilled-out eatery that’ll hit the spot. Slinging hand-stretched pizzas loaded with classic combinations, the Thredbo restaurant knows how to feed starving crowds. Choose from the likes of a Truffle Veg dressed in artichokes, capsicum and zucchini, a Spicy Pepperoni with salami and jalapenos, a 3 Cheese with mozzarella, bocconcini and goat’s cheese, and plenty more.

Meanwhile, Aperol spritzes and limoncello should get the party started and you can add salads, garlic flat bread, cheesy garlic bread and more sides to your table. Trading hours run throughout the entire year.

Cuisine: Italian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Casual

Location: Friday Dr, Thredbo

3. Cascades Restaurant

A red meat dish at Cascade Restaurant in Thredbo.
Find French and Italian-inspired cuisine on the menu. (Image: Thredbo Resort)

Slink into Cascades Restaurant for a meal with your beloved, complete with uninterrupted views out across the mountains.

Located right off Thredbo Alpine Hotel in the village, this delightful Thredbo restaurant spins magic out of locally sourced, seasonal produce including seafood and quality local meats. Italian and French techniques influence the presentation, which changes from season to season but often arrives as set courses where you can pick your preferences. Think grilled barramundi with a fennel salad and a hazelnut and almond crumb pork cutlet with pickled cabbage.

It’s one of Thredbo’s fancier eateries, despite dishing up a buffet breakfast to Thredbo Alpine Hotel guests of a morning, so switch out your ski gear for finer threads. The service is impeccable and very experienced, ensuring every want is catered to from start to finish. Don’t miss the ever-evolving dessert menu, dotted with popcorn cake, lemon panna cotta and chocolate mousse with pistachio tulle garnish in the past.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Romantic

Location: Friday Dr, Thredbo

4. Candlelight Lodge

Live out your European apres-ski dreams at Candlelight Lodge , a Thredbo institution that’s provided cosy stays and heart-warming meals to holiday makers for more than 50 years.

A Thredbo restaurant like no other, it’s an enchanting slice of Austrian heaven complete with a cheese fondue, decked out with white sourdough, cured meats and pickled vegetables, you’ll struggle to overlook. Just don’t — it is pure gooey, when-in-Rome goodness ready to light up every Instagram Story. Other menu highlights include the Jagerschnitzel topped with creamy mushroom sauce, as well as the pork and pistachio terrine starter.

The atmosphere is also charming as fairy lights, vintage tapestry, kitsch Christmas decorations and chunky timber furniture create a space you can’t help settling into. Once you’ve licked your plate clean, take a seat in the bar area where a blazing fireplace and board games play the perfect backdrop to a night filled with schnapps plus international beer and wines.

Cuisine: Austrian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Eclectic

Location: 32 Diggings Terrace, Thredbo

5. Eagles Nest

a family dining at Eagles Nest, Thredbo
Head to Eagles Nest for a soothing cup of hot chocolate. (Image: Destination NSW)

Australia’s highest restaurant is, quite literally, the pinnacle of Thredbo dining. Eagles Nest stands 1937 metres above ground level and offers 270-degree views across the region as Italian-inspired bites fly out the kitchen and into the gobs of famished mountain scalers (it’s open in winter and summer, though precise dates are weather-dependent for obvious reasons).

Easy dishes delight, such as deli boards topped with prosciutto, camembert, olives and breadsticks, and a couple of simple-yet-rich pizzas, as does the drinks menu which features hot chocolate (you’ll need one daily during the winter months in Thredbo) plus wine, beer and obligatory Aperol spritzes (like the hot chocolates, you’ll need one of these regularly, too).

Sweets spanning ice cream and banana bread, and toasties are also up for grabs, but gazing out yonder to the sheer vastness below is really this place’s snare.

Cuisine: Snacks and antipasti

Average price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Awestruck

Location: Top of Kosciuszko Chairlift, Kosciuszko Express, Thredbo

6. Merritts Mountain House

dining at Merritts Mountain House, Thredbo
Feast on hearty meals at Merritts Mountain House. (Image: Thredbo Resort)

Hop off Merritts Gondola for one of the most wonderful Thredbo restaurants of all. Merritts Mountain House is a must-visit for anybody experiencing the Gondola, particularly kids who use the large space out the front of the restaurant to build a snowman or wriggle out snow angels.

Serving up sensational hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, this joint is a saviour from the chill in winter (it runs on a more limited schedule in summer) and also sells pies, pastries, wraps, salads, German classics like pretzels and bratwurst sausage, burgers, chips and other hearty meals.

Plus, there’s plenty of grab-and-go sweets for the kids and a bar serving up delicious Glühwein (mulled wine) from the moment doors open.

Cuisine: European, with snacks

Average price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Laidback

Location: Top of Merritts Gondola, Thredbo

7. T Bar Restaurant

a cocktail by the fire at T Bar Restaurant, Thredbo
Sip punchy cocktails by the fire at T Bar Restaurant. (Image: Thredbo Resort)

A family-friendly Thredbo restaurant right in the thick of the action, T Bar Restaurant is a hit with crowds craving woodfired pizzas and in-village Italian cuisine.

It’s a casual vibe inside this space (which opens seasonally so check the website for accurate trading hours), while the food itself is elevated. During winter, T Bar Trivia is staged on Thursday nights, bringing an even jollier atmosphere as fairy lights strung from the ceiling create festivity all year round.

If pizza isn’t your thing, there’s also seasonal pastas utilising whatever’s peak-fresh of the moment, while creative cocktails, beer and wines are also tempting.

Cuisine: Italian

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Intimate

Location: Shop 1, 2 Mowamba Place, Thredbo

8. The Mad Mexican

Tiring of glühwein and stinging for a marg? The Mad Mexican feels you. A Thredbo village restaurant dedicated entirely to Mexican cuisine, this place nails all the classic hits including tostadas, guac and corn chips, tacos, burrito bowls and quesadillas. The menu will change ahead of the 2025 ski season, but you can expect headliners like Pozole Rojo, a slow braised pork stew.

You can also look forward to churros with chocolate sauce as you wash the festivities down with drinks spanning Mexican beers, flavour-packed cocktails and wine.

Cuisine: Mexican

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Rowdy

Location: 89 Mowamba Place, Thredbo

9. The Local Pub

snow-covered tables at The Local Pub, Thredbo
Breathe in the cold alpine air out on the deck at The Local Pub. (Image: Thredbo Resort)

If it’s winter, park your clan right by the cosy fireplace and if it’s summer, set up shop out on the giant deck. The Local Pub is a spacious and friendly Thredbo watering hole speckled with fantastic spots to unwind after a big day on the mountain.

The food itself is reliable and generous, with favourites like pizzas, chicken schnitzel, chicken parmy, burgers, chicken wings and a collection of grilled meats.

The vibes are light and fun as families take advantage of the pool table and dart board to keep the good times rolling. Out on the deck, the mountain views are priceless.

Kids are also catered for here as a dedicated children’s menu features Napoli pasta, a burger, nuggets and chips and ice-cream with topping.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Easy, breezy

Location: Friday Dr, Thredbo

10. Zack’s on Central Road

Zack’s on Central Road pours up your ultimate caffeine fix, riddled with coffee-starved adventure seekers from daily breakfast hours.

Speaking of the most important meal of the day, breakfast is big here, dishing up eggs benedict, bacon and eggs, sweetcorn fritters and other early morning classics. Once lunch o’clock rolls in, the menu twists with Asian influences — think bahn mis, noodle soups and bao buns. Don’t miss the takeaway menu, too, which dazzles with a S’mores pizza filled with cookie crumble, marshmallows and melted chocolate.

Cuisine: Cafe with Asian influences

Average price: $-$$

Atmosphere: In and out

Location: 4/17 Friday Dr, Thredbo

11. Friday Flat Donut Hut

It is virtually impossible to avoid stopping by this much-adored Thredbo pitstop while visiting the beginner’s area — the waft of deep-fried sugary pastry is too good to refuse. Fresh cinnamon creations are the hottest ticket at the Friday Flat Donut Hut but there’s a range of delectable spoils to indulge in after a day of wrangling little ones on the nearby slopes. Coffee, hot chocolate, more sweets and cold drinks are always in stock.

Cuisine: Sweets and drinks

Average price: $

Atmosphere: Takeaway

Location: Friday Flat, Thredbo

12. Wildbrumby Distillery’s Stillhouse Kitchen

dining in a dome at Wildbrumby Distillery
Dine in a dome at Wildbrumby Distillery. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just a little way outside of Thredbo, on the way to Jindabyne along the great Kosciuszko Alpine Way, lies Wildbrumby Distillery’s restaurant, the Stillhouse Kitchen . The distillery itself is famed for knocking up the delicious schnapps you’ll sample right across the village and mountains, but the team also know how to put on a quality spread.

Pair their mouth-watering schnapps with a mammoth antipasti menu filled with stellar cheese and cured meats, or tuck into a hearty European-inspired main including veal schnitzels, Austrian beef goulash, spinach and ricotta dumplings and sausages on sauerkraut. The vibe is breezy and relaxed with an outdoor deck providing picturesque seating overlooking the beautiful property.

Cuisine: European

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Scenic

Location: Alpine Way, Thredbo

13. Sante

Your go-to for char-grilled meats and other South American fare, Sante is an elegant Thredbo barbecue restaurant fuelling meat loving families in the village.

Starters include Chimichurri chicken and duck parfait while a diverse list of mains is evolving however past superstars have included barbecue pork ribs, Wagyu and Black Angus steaks, vegetarian empanadas and slow cooked cuts.

The wine is also top-notch – you can expect excellent drops plucked from Australia and New Zealand.

Cuisine: South American with international influences

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Buzzing

Location: 4/ Squatters Run, Thredbo

14. Zach’s Grill

the Berntis Mountain Inn, Thredbo
Be treated to snowy vistas at Berntis Mountain Inn. (Image: Thredbo Resort)

As the name insinuates, the food at Zack’s Grill , located upstairs at Berntis Mountain Inn, centres on grilled meats. Think the likes of 24-hour slow cooked beef short ribs, Wagyu rib eyes and burgers, though the menu changes from season to season so the 2025 ski offering is yet to be perfected.

The good news is this place isn’t exclusive to the cooler months, with a lighter summer menu attracting crowds ahead of the annual influx of snow bunnies. No matter when you drop in, the mountains are positioned directly in front of the windows, so you’ll be treated to sides of postcard-perfect vistas all year round.

Cuisine: Modern Australian, focusing on grilled cuts

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Classy

Location: 4 Mowamba Pl, Thredbo

15. Kareela Hutte

the outdoor deck of Kareela Hutte, Thredbo
Dine above the slopes at Kareela Hutte.

A stalwart since 1959, this standout Thredbo restaurant is exclusive but not in the way you might imagine. Open in winter for lunch only, Kareela Hutte is a ski-in, ski-out venue, located at an altitude of 1810m on the 3.7-kilometre Supertrail – a blue run that requires intermediate (or above) skills on the slopes.

Lock in the go-all-out ‘Feed Me’ set menu filled with a grazing board, German rye bread, baked camembert, crispy pork knuckle and more, or choose to snack off the Caviar menu which also features a Bloody Mary oyster shooter.

The European leaning a la carte menu also skews toward the decadent, so pair it properly with your choice of cocktail, expertly shaken by the restaurant’s cheery, passionate team.

Cuisine: European

Average price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Ritzy

Location: Along the Supertrail, Thredbo

16. Black Sallees

friends dining on the outdoor deck of Black Sallees, Thredbo
Soak up the snow-drenched slopes on the gorgeous deck.

If you’re after an on-mountain option (during peak winter only) with plenty of rustic alpine character and a convivial atmosphere, swing by Black Sallees . This bar and restaurant has a gorgeous deck to idle on, perfect for admiring the snow-drenched slopes. Slip straight into Euro mode with a tall German Weizen glass of Maisel’s Weisse wheat beer. There’s plenty of seating inside the timber-clad restaurant too, plus a fireplace to lounge by if you’re after some respite from the cool mountain air.

The menu, meanwhile, skews Asian, rolling out top-notch dumplings, pork belly bites, spring rolls and larger Japanese-inspired curries and ramen. Located on the Village Trail, this Thredbo restaurant is pure on-the-go convenience.

Cuisine: Asian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Cosy

Location: Village Trail, Thredbo

17. The Bakery in the Village Square

croissants at The Bakery in the Village Square, Thredbo
Order fresh-baked croissants at The Bakery in the Village Square.

Pies, sausage rolls, lamingtons, banana bread, eclairs, granola cups, croissants – you name it, this popular Thredbo pit-stop probably has it.

The Bakery in the Village Square is among the more affordable places in town for a snack or light meal. Stop by for your morning caffeine fix and a bacon and egg roll, drop in to pick up a loaf of freshly baked sourdough to fashion into sandwiches back in your self-catering apartment, or take one of the gourmet rolls away with you and enjoy a budget on-mountain lunch.

Cuisine: Baked goods and sandwiches

Average price: $

Atmosphere: Takeaway

Location: 24 Diggings Tce, Thredbo

18. Crackenback Farm Restaurant

Typically open from May to June, the Crackenback Farm Restaurant is a lovely spot to escape to outside of Thredbo village. A two or three-course menu takes whatever is seasonally wonderful at the time and whips up contemporary plates, with seafood serving as a star ingredient and a house pate showcasing the team’s adoration for French fare.

Setting the scene further is an open fireplace, while an outdoor terrace is the place to linger if that crisp winter sun is shining.

Cuisine: Modern Australian with French influences

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Homey

Location: 914 Alpine Way, Thredbo

Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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Where to eat, sleep and visit on Grand Pacific Drive, and beyond

The ultimate road trip begins and ends on NSW’s stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

Whales, charming villages, fine wine and stunning natural vistas: there’s a lot to love about a road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive in New South Wales. Winding from the Royal National Park through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven before heading inland to the Southern Highlands, this scenic drive makes for an unforgettable road trip.

But like all great road trips, it’s not just about the drive but the stops made along the way. From incredible farm-to-plate (and grape-to-glass) dining options to unbeatable natural vistas and quaint towns with beautiful accommodation, there’s plenty to explore en route.

Shellharbour Marina
Spend time in Shellharbour Marina.

Where to eat

What is a road trip without incredible food? Whether you’re after fresh seafood, slow-cooked paddock-to-plate feasts or delicious wines, you’ll find something around every bend along Grand Pacific Drive.

Restaurant Santino is a local Wollongong secret we can’t keep quiet any longer. With a fresh take on Italian cuisine, servings are hearty and flavours are comforting. The chitarra with blue swimmer crab, garlic, chilli, parsley and crustacean oil is a crowd favourite.

Keep it local in Shellharbour with a menu all about fresh local produce at Relish on Addison . From South Coast oysters and blue swimmer crab linguine to crispy pork belly, surf and turf takes on an elevated meaning here.

Kiama’s neighbourhood wine and cocktail bar, Little Betty’s , is just as good for a tasty share plate as it is for creative cocktails. The signature Grilled Octopus with burnt honey, garlic confit and sautéed Asian greens is worth a trip on its own.

Only the best will do in Shoalhaven, where multi-award-winning Bangalay Dining uses native Australian ingredients to bring its dishes to life. Start with the Smoked trout croquette before moving on to the sautéed potato gnocchi. Don’t forget the white chocolate mousse for dessert.

Meanwhile, the Southern Highlands are full of culinary highlights. From dining on incredibly fresh, local fare (we’re talking ingredients plucked from the team’s on-site kitchen garden or sourced through local producers) at Eschalot Restaurant in Berrima to creating gin blends at Millsheds Distillery .

bangalay dining shoalhaven
Taste native flavours at Bangalay Dining.

Exploring nature

Scenery is everything when hitting the road, and Grand Pacific Drive serves it up in spades. Drivers don’t even have to leave the car to enjoy the iconic ocean views from Seacliff Bridge (but several lookouts make it easy to stop).

Seaside Kiama boasts stunning beaches and famous blowholes. But travellers can also swap ocean for rainforest when taking the Minnamurra Rainforest walk, culminating in a picturesque waterfall. Or soar overhead at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures .

The scenic coastal drive along Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton.
Cruise along the stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

Between May and November, 30,000 whales make their way passed the South Coast between May and November. Spot them from the coastal shores or join a whale-watching cruise from Shellharbour Marina or Jervis Bay. Dive in with Woebegone Freedive .

Shellharbour’s Killalea Regional Park is home to a traditional bush tucker and medicine walk with Aboriginal tour group, Gumaraa . Learn Indigenous healing practices and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage and wisdom of the land’s Traditional Owners.

Wollongong is the perfect place for hikers, with the 6.5-kilometre Wodi Wodi track serving up views, settler history and a variety of landscapes in one loop. If you prefer, skip the walk and pull up at Bald Hill Lookout for expansive views south towards Wollongong (and a hang-glider or two).

For something truly unique, join the Highland Cow experience at The Swallow’s Nest in the Southern Highlands. In a brand-new offering, get a taste of farm life and help groom and feed these gorgeous creatures.

kiama coast walk people with dog
Wander the Kiama Coast Walk.

Unique experiences

No need to choose between an adrenaline rush or a culture fix, Grand Pacific Drive serves up both.

Soar into aviation history at Shellharbour’s HARS Aviation Museum .  Tour the museum, then join a guided walk onto the wing of the record-breaking Qantas Boeing 747 and see the significant historic aircraft up close.

If ever there was a place to skydive, it’s in Wollongong. Dive from 15,000 feet (tandem, of course) with Sky Dive Wollongong and see the coastal beauty of this region from above.

Shoalhaven’s Bundanon Art Museum has to be one of the most unique offerings in the country. The legacy of artist Arthur Boyd and more than just a gallery, find eco-accommodation, fine dining, award-winning architecture and community here.

Kiama’s Crooked River Estate is about more than just delicious wine.  Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy casual food and drinks with live music at Kick Back Fridays , every week.

Between June and August, the Southern Highlands’ Robertson attracts novice truffle hunters. Join the hunt at family-owned and operated Robertson Truffles (alternatively, you can order truffle treats online, if your sense of adventure isn’t up for it).

Freshly dug truffles at Terra Preta Truffles, Braidwood.
Discover hidden gems beneath the soil in the Southern Highlands. (Image: Destination NSW)

Where to stay

Road trips are the ultimate promotion for slow travel, encouraging visitors to take their time, enjoy the journey and stop along the way to really immerse themselves in local towns.

Find history and elegance at Berida Hotel in the Southern Highlands. Intimately set amongst gardens, but still close to the main street of Bowral, this 1920s private residence turned boutique hotel is the perfect stay.

Stay in one of Barranca’s private villas with views of rolling farmland overlooking the dramatic escarpment at Kangaroo Valley or be surrounded by native bushland (a short walk from the beach) in Jervis Bay.

Speaking of beachside escapes, Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach delivers unrivalled access to Wollongong’s beaches. These serviced apartments enjoy coastal views from spacious balconies.

For something completely different again, check in at Cicada Luxury Camping . Stay in safari-style or large bell tents, each with a private fire pit and top-notch kitchen facilities. Outside, enjoy spectacular countryside views.

Cicada Luxury Camping
Unwind at Cicada Luxury Camping. (Image: DNSW)

Discover more and plan your ultimate road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive and beyond at grandpacificdrive.com.au/grand.