18 Thredbo restaurants to live your ultimate après-ski life

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

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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

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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

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

18 Thredbo restaurants to live your ultimate après-ski life

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

The shortlist

1. Izakaya By Yamagen

2. Alpine Pizzeria

3. Cascades Restaurant

4. Candlelight Lodge

5. Eagles Nest

6. Merritts Mountain House

7. T Bar Restaurant

8. The Mad Mexican

9. The Local Pub

10. Zack’s on Central Road

11. Friday Flat Donut Hut

12. Wildbrumby Distillery’s Stillhouse Kitchen

13. Sante

14. Zach’s Grill

15. Kareela Hutte

16. Black Sallees

17. The Bakery in the Village Square

18. Crackenback Farm Restaurant

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This stretch of Sydney beaches topped the annual Best Australian Beaches list

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.