Discover the best shops in Bowral and surrounds with this complete guide to shopping in the vibrant Southern Highlands village.
The best shops in Bowral range from giant emporiums for antiques and collectables to shoe stores and shops dedicated to showcasing sheepskin. The village is a veritable bowerbird’s nest with Bowral shops selling everything from coins to jewellery, toys, Art Deco furniture, books, glassware and textiles sourced from around the world. If you’re a serious shopper and looking for something to do in the region, you’ll know that you can hit the high street here for hours.
Put together an itinerary based on our guide to the best shops in Bowral.
In short
If you only visit one shop in Bowral make it Bespoke Letterpress, where you can stock up on beautiful stationery and buy all your Christmas gifts in one hit.
Bowral antique shops
Those with an abiding fascination for everything from vintage furniture to unconventional art should follow our guide to some of the best antique shops in Bowral and beyond.
Dirty Janes Bowral
Dirty Janes Bowral is home to a unique collection of vintage wares and garden finds. (Image: Destination NSW)
Expect objets d’art, antiques, collectables and curios for the curious that span the past century at Dirty Janes , a destination for collectors with limited time. Dirty Janes is such a good hunting ground for treasures that you could just visit this one-stop vintage shop in the Highlands and be happy with your finds. All up, there are more than 80 independent dealers, decorators and upcyclers at Dirty Janes, Bowral.
Address: 13 Banyette St, Bowral
The Bronte Tram
Visit one of the best cafes in Bowral for coffee and start plotting your plan of attack. You will find everything from brass candlesticks, chandeliers, wedding chests, leather suitcases, vintage furniture and stunning silverware at The Bronte Tram , which sources its collectables from around the globe.
Address: Shop 2/379 Bong Bong St, Bowral
Grandpa’s Shed, Fitzroy Falls
Remember what it was like to get lost in Grandpa’s Shed? Well, Grandpa called and he wants his stuff back. Grandpa’s Shed in Fitzroy Falls is an essential stop for road-trippers who like to fossick. The eclectic and luxuriant mix of junk and ephemera and carefully curated clutter is not for your Marie Kondo kinds. It’s perfectly imperfect and worth the 20-minute drive from Bowral. Address: 1353 Nowra Road, Fitzroy Falls
Bookshops in Bowral
The number of bookshops in and around Bowral says something about the denizens of the village, which once served as a rural retreat for Sydney’s landed gentry. Plan your visit to coincide with the annual Southern Highlands Writers’ Festival .
Berkelouw Book Barn
Browse the impressive collection of rare books at Berkelouw Book Barn. (Image: Destination NSW)
Although it’s technically in Berrima, 11 minutes from Bowral, Berkelouw Book Barn has to be top of the list of best bookshops in Bowral. As well as a stunning collection of secondhand, rare, antiquarian and contemporary books, the storied Berkelouw Book Barn is a destination in its own right for its adjacent restaurant and accommodation.
The Bookshop Bowral
Score a good read at The Bookshop Bowral.
The Bookshop Bowral is an institution for its carefully curated selection of books written by culturally diverse authors from around the world. Check the calendar of events hosted by the book shop, which schedules in-store signings and talks by authors during the annual Southern Highlands Writers’ Festival.
Address: 309 Bong Bong Street, Bowral
The Phoenix Bookstore
So named after a fire destroyed its original premises, The Phoenix Bookstore has started a new chapter selling new and old books from its new location tucked in behind Bowral Post Office. Join the steady stream of shoppers browsing and chatting with the staff at this cosy bookstore who, as dedicated bookworms, will help you find something that takes your fancy.
Address: Lamond Lane, Bowral
Books Ever After
Don’t miss out on bestselling reads at Books Ever After.
Everything from fairy porn to romance novels has been blowing up on BookTok. At the forefront of the trend is Books Ever After , run by bestselling romance author and Books by the Bridge Author Events founder, Kat T. Masen. Find one-of-a-kind bookish merchandise, limited editions, book events, and personally signed paperbacks to add some spice to your next book club. Address: Shop 4, The Grand Arcade. 291-297 Bong Bong Street.
Boutique shops in Bowral
Shopping is one of the best things to do in Bowral thanks in part to the creative community who call the Southern Highlands home. There are fabulous one-of-a-kind boutiques, hipped-up homeware stores and quirky op shops dotted around the main street’s jumble of Bowral shops.
Wilson & Dorset
Find everything from designer floor rugs to laptop covers. (Image: Wilson & Dorset)
It’s a much more pleasing experience to run your hands over the woolly wares at Wilson & Dorset in Bowral than to shop online. The NZ brand with the cult following chose Bowral as its flagship Australian store because of its proximity to the countryside. Head here for everything from designer floor rugs to laptop covers, cushions and accessories.
Address: 363 Bong Bong Street
Burnt Co
Find something unique for your home at Burnt Co.
Delight your olfactory senses with a visit to Burnt Co . This local gem creates sustainable home fragrances delivered via a range of candles, diffusers and room sprays. The Bowral shop has the market cornered for sustainable candles complete with a return and burn system for refill options. Or take a candle-making class to create something unique for your home. Address: 5 Bong Bong St, Bowral
SoHi
Sample a variety of spirits at SoHi. (Image: Christopher Pearce)
Step into SoHi and be dazzled. Is it a boutique, a tasting room, a jewellery store? Well, the main product is alcohol, but this isn’t like any bottle-o you’ve set foot in. Sample local gins, vodkas. Buy some Red Pony Negroni. Or choose from martinis straight from the freezer. You can also get uber bougie and use the refill fountain. Private tastings are also on offer for small groups. Address: Shop 3b/391-397 Bong Bong St, Bowral
Bespoke Letterpress
Get your gifts ready and wrapped up at Bespoke Letterpress.
This couture letterpress stationery store was once part of The Press Shop, now housing one of the best cafes in Bowral. But Bespoke Letterpress became so popular it had to move to larger premises on Bowral’s main street. Bespoke Letterpress is paradise for lovers of pretty and practical stationery such as diaries, planners, calendars and more.
Address: Shop 2B, 310-312 Bong Bong St, Bowral
HEM
Shop up-and-coming designer goods and contemporary homewares.
Looking for something funky or flouncy? You’ll find it here at HEM , which has a whimsical mix of local and global brands that make a fashion-forward statement. Forget fast fashion. HEM has managed to lean toward up-and-coming designers and contemporary homewares that are stand-alone standouts.
Address: 1/23 Boolwey St, Bowral
Susie Anderson Home
Pick up chic wares at Susie Anderson Home. (Image: Abbie Melle)
Sip coffee with your friends so you’re well-fuelled before your foray into the Suzie Anderson Home store. Take the Style Quiz ahead of your visit to help provide tailor-made tips for choosing everything from gift sets to tablecloths, homewares, fashion and furniture.
Address: 409-411 Argyle St, Moss Vale
Bare Body Beauty Co.
Pop by Bare Body Beauty Co. for Australian-made skincare products.
Bare Body Beauty Co. is a local favourite, known for its handmade natural skincare, body care, and bath essentials. With two beautiful Bowral locations, both stores invite you to slow down, test the scrubs at the playstation, and find your new skin favourites. Everything is made by hand in the Southern Highlands using pure, plant-based ingredients that feel as good as they look.
High Street location: Shop 21, 310-312 Bong Bong Street, Bowral
Dirty Janes location: 15 Banyette Street, Bowral
The Shoe Merchant
Find the perfect fit for your sole at The Shoe Merchant. (Image: Supplied)
Birkenstocks, Ecco, Emu Slippers, Floresheim, Frankie4, Louenhide and Rollie Nation are just a few of the beautifully designed brands stocked at The Shoe Merchant in Bowral. Fans of designer footwear travel from all over Sydney to Bowral to find shoes designed for everything from dancing to walking.
Bowral markets and op shops
There are plenty of upmarket stores to browse in Bowral. But it’s the affordable op shops and stores with vintage vibes that offer the biggest buzz for treasure hunters in Bowral. The Bowral Market is also a better-than-garden-variety market too. In addition to the quality bric-a-brac and artisan wares, it showcases the State’s bounty of fresh produce.
Bowral Market
Bowral Market , held on the second Saturday of each month, sells food, clothing, jewellery, plants, arts and crafts. The pet-friendly market sources a lot of fresh produce from the Southern Highlands. Hot tip: Stock your eco bag with a kilo of Robertson potatoes, a jar of Chapo’s Raw Honey and relishes from Lame Duck Foods.
It’s all about the thrill of the hunt at The Southern Highlands Community Hospice Shop where you are likely to find everything from a powder-blue safari suit from the ‘70s to a military-style jacket, pair of cowboy boots, Portico clock or framed print signed by a local artist.
Address: 315 Bong Bong St, Bowral
Father Chris Riley Op Shop
Hard-core antique collectors and up-cyclers will enjoy rummaging for a bargain at this op shop . Father Chris Riley supports young people who are trying to turn their lives around so they can feel even more righteous about forgoing fast fashion while in pursuit of that cricket cardigan or glittering jumpsuit.
Address: 8 Bundaroo St, Bowral
Bowral Crafts Unlimited
Browse artisan products at Bowral Crafts Unlimited.
Craft skills of yesteryear are still thriving thanks to the charitable nans, aunties of the Southern Highlands. Their wonderful handiwork is on show at Bowral Crafts Unlimited , the collective serving the Wingecarribee community since 1972. More than 60 volunteers work to craft wares that are sold to support community services such as the local hospital and Rural Fire Service.
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
Whether you’re road-tripping with the family or chasing a romantic escape, Bowral restaurants have become the heartbeat of the Southern Highlands.
Bowral restaurants shine brightest when they use food and wine to tell a story about the Southern Highlands region. And the best restaurants in Bowral and beyond have become a beacon in the Southern Highlands for everyone from couples to families celebrating special occasions.
These days, the best way to experience the brilliance of a weekend wining and dining in Bowral is to bounce back and forth from Sydney on multiple weekends away. Here is our guide to the best places to eat in Bowral and its immediate surrounds.
The menu at Flour Bar is designed to share. (Image: Christopher Pearce)
Best for: A cocktail, glass of wine and elevated bar bites.
In addition to offering everyday indulgences such as potato buns and garlic-studded focaccia, Flour Bar serves as a cult bakery and cafe by day before dimming the lights for dinner. Put simply, it’s one of the best places in the Southern Highlands for date night as it has a share menu for just $49 per person. Think trout rillettes with fennel pickle and quinoa crackers. Or sourdough pizza topped with prawns, garlic and chilli for something more substantial. There’s also Bowral’s best bottle-o (with more than 200 wines) and a deli inside an old bank vault with cheeses and charcuterie.
Cuisine: This is not a keto-friendly place. It’s where bread-heads unite. Atmosphere: Charming neighbourhood feel. Average Price: $$$ Address: 386 Argyle St, Moss Vale
2. Fire Kitchen @ Osborn House
Book your Sunday lunch at the country-style Latin American restaurant. (Image: Osborn House)
Best for: Argentinian bites
Fire Kitchen offers a contemporary take on the Escape to the Country experience. Like Osborn House itself, it’s burst into prominence as one of the best places to eat in the Southern Highlands. The new Latin American restaurant led by Mexican-born Axell Torres is open for dinner Friday through to Sunday lunch. And it has built on the success of the monthly Fire Feast. Enjoy a seriously dreamy outlook over smashed crispy Robertson potatoes with caviar and creme fraiche with Argentinian-style grilled beef short ribs all delivered with poise by stylish staff. Schedule a return visit for Fire Feast .
Cuisine: Latin American leaning. Atmosphere: Smoking hot. Average Price: $$$ Address: 96 Osborn Ave, Bundanoon
3. George’s @ Osborn House
George’s draws from a palette of earthy olives, timber, turmeric and thyme tones.
Best for: A casual meal in the heart of the Southern Highlands.
George’s is the more casual dining option in Osborn House, established in 1892. This restaurant with rooms in the picture-postcard village of Bundanoon is known for its easygoing charm. But you don’t have to be a guest to dine at George’s for lunch or dinner. The bar is also open to the public between 3 and 6pm for casual bites. The low-key eatery offers everything from charcuterie to sandwiches and cheeseburgers. Keen hikers will appreciate heftier mains such as truffled mac and cheese. My recommendation is to return triumphant to the terrace post-hike to enjoy views over Morton National Park.
Cuisine: Hearty fare designed to fuel a hike in the Southern Highlands. Atmosphere: The interiors at George’s draw from a palette of earthy olives, timber, turmeric and thyme. Average Price: $$$ Address: 96 Osborn Ave, Bundanoon
4. Bistro Sociale @ The Berida Hotel
Dine French fare in style.
Best for: A social occasion
Bistro Sociale is popular with those who have booked accommodation in Bowral and want to dine in style. Head chef Nathan Jackson changes the menu according to the seasons. And it’s worth gunning it up the highway from Sydney for his house-baked bread with cultured French butter alone. My hot tip is to use it to mop up the moat of red wine jus served around the confit duck, Jerusalem artichoke, duck neck and puy lentils. Earn brownie points with your Bowral buddies by booking lunch on the sun-drenched terrace where you can start with cocktails or a glass of local wine.
Cuisine: This Euro-chic bistro has a French twist. Atmosphere: The dimly lit dining room is decked out with flower-filled vases and a lovely layering of textures. Average price: $$$ Location: 6 David Street, Bowral
5. Ethos
The country guesthouse features an in-house eatery that serves a seasonal menu. (Image: Supplied)
Best for: A stylish stay at a restaurant with rooms.
This 1920s homestead has had a thoroughly modern update. And the restaurant, Ethos, at Links House has rounded out the experience of a stay here with a paddock-to-plate menu designed by acclaimed chef Jason Hughes. While Links House is popular as a conference facility, it also attracts families and groups of friends who want to enjoy a bit of respite from their big-city lives. First-time visitors to this darling dining room will understand why this restaurant is included on every Bowral itinerary. Try the house-made gnocchi with little mountain mushrooms, zucchini and Manchego. For something on the sweet side, opt for orange almond cake with rhubarb, coconut yoghurt.
Cuisine: Mod Oz Atmosphere: Light and bright but intimate with views out to the lush gardens. Average price: $$$ Location: 17 Links Rd, Bowral
6. Onesta Cucina
Tuck into Modern Italian cuisine at Onesta Cucina.
Best for: A special anniversary.
Onesta Cucina provides yet another reason to stay in the Highlands hamlet of Bowral. Onesta Cucina is known for its menu led by hyperlocal seasonal ingredients. Check the family-run restaurant’s Instagram ahead of your booking to see what takes your fancy. Will it be the wagyu bresaola with 63-degree egg and truffled potato puree? Or perhaps spaghetti flecked with suckling pig and chilli? Personally, I like to order lasagna al forno, which takes 25 minutes to make. Why? Because it provides me with the perfect excuse to linger. Gemma and Luke Latimer are the brains behind this Bowral dining destination which is all about bringing people together through good food and wine.
Cuisine: Modern Italian Atmosphere: The cosy country dining den of your dreams. Average price: $$$-$$$$ Address: 5 Boolwey St, Bowral.
7. The Lotus Bowral
Indulge in contemporary Australian cuisine and street-cart Chinese food. (Image: Alana Dimou)
Best for: Bowral locals who want to impress their big-city friends.
The Lotus Group has brought its elevated street food concept to Bowral. Lotus Bowral is in the stylish Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral , one of my favourite home bases in Bowral. Treat yourself to a mid-week getaway with a stay at this ‘restaurant with rooms’ known for its savoury dumplings, fresh seafood and killer kung pao chicken. The menu at this atmospheric diner is a happy collision between contemporary Australian cuisine and the street-cart Chinese food that inspired it. Build your own Chinese banquet by ordering a mix of dumplings, duck pancakes and crispy honey eggplant.
Cuisine: A thoroughly modern take on Chinese street food. Atmosphere: This light-filled space offers framed views of the countryside. Average price: $$$ Location: 7 Boronia St, Bowral
8. Harry’s on Green Lane
Harry’s is a hub for green thumbs and a space for lovers of provincial cuisine.
Best for: Sophisticated city slickers.
Harry’s on Green Lane is named in honour of the British-born founder of Chelsea Flower Show, Sir Harry Veitch. Harry’s is a hub for horticulturalists as well as a space for lovers of country cuisine. First-time visitors to the restaurant will be struck by the book-lined walls and dramatic high ceilings. There are also vintage photographs of the botanists charged with collecting seeds from some of the world’s prettiest plants. The simple menu includes winning dishes such as duck confit with Harry’s garden salad. Or signature steak frites with a bearnaise sauce.
Cuisine: French bistro. Atmosphere: Soaring book-lined shelves, potted plants and works by local artists add to the bougie bistro aesthetic. Average price: $$ Location 15-17 Banyette St, Bowral
9. Julien’s Bowral Brasserie
Julien’s Bowral Brasserie curates seasonal menus showcasing classic French cuisine.
Best for: Indulging in French fare.
You will get a big bonjour et bienvenue at French restaurant Julian’s Bowral Brasserie . Located at the aptly named ‘Paris end’ of Bowral, Julien’s Bowral Brasserie has both indoor and outdoor dining. Check the specials blackboard for oh-so-French dishes such as lobster bisque and duck confit a l’orange. My pick is the bouillabaisse bobbing with snapper, potatoes and fennel served with the spicy, garlicky sauce rouilles and croutons. Head chef Julien Viel was born in France and holds his heritage close when curating seasonal menus showcasing classic French cuisine. Starters such as snails in their shell and chicken liver parfait also keep this Bowral bistro buzzing.
Cuisine: Gallic gastronomy with great local ingredients. Atmosphere: Bistro-chic imbued with a French-Australian sensibility. Average price: $$ Location: 1-3 Wingecarribee St, Bowral
10. Paste Bangkok, Mittagong
The menu is a contemporary take on traditional Thai. (Image: Paste Australia)
Best for: Lovers of Southeast Asian cuisine.
It’s eight minutes as the crow flies from Bowral to Mittagong. That’s where you’ll find Michelin-starred chef Bongkoch ‘Bee’ Satongun and husband Jason Bailey, of Paste Australia . The pair met in Bangkok, Thailand, where their first restaurant earned a coveted Michelin star. The sister venue in Mittagong is also known for dishes that punch out muay Thai kicks of flavour. Save your money on the flight to Bangkok; the roast duck rubbed with sea salt, lemon myrtle and mountain pepper is a must.
Cuisine: Eating at this regional restaurant is thrilling thanks to Bee’s contemporary take on traditional Thai food. Atmosphere: The pared-back decor in this handsome dining room allows the focus to be placed firmly on the food. Average price: $$$ Location 105 Main St, Mittagong
11. The Dining Room @ Dormie House
Settle in for an indulgent high tea.
Best for: Golfers who want to eat, play and stay.
The Dining Room has put Dormie House on the map as a luxurious getaway for golfers. Challenge yourself on the century-old Moss Vale Golf Club course. Then head to The Dining Room at Dormie House for a lazy lunch, an indulgent high tea or decadent dinner in the Highlands. You can plump for something simple like a ploughman’s board. Or savour slow-cooked beef cheeks with Paris mash and green beans. Wrap up the experience over date and macadamia tart with ice cream. There’s also the more casual option of bar bites such as chicken and avocado sangas on Turkish. Or lamb kofta with beetroot hummus.
Cuisine: An elevated take on club grub. Atmosphere: The Dining Room is tucked into the trees like a bunker, slotting easily into the bushland all around and framing views of the 18-hole golf course. Average price: $$$ Address 38 Arthur Street, Moss Vale
12. Citizen Kanebridge
Best for: Those partial to a bit of gossip and a ghost story.
Taylor’s Crown Inn was built by convicts in 1844 using hand-hewn local sandstone in the vernacular architecture of a traditional English village. The former inn has now come full circle after morphing from a public house to a private members’ club. Although Citizen Kanebridge offers access to more than 250 reciprocal clubs worldwide for its members, it also opens its doors for non-members to enjoy a different kind of Southern Highlands experience. Citizen Kanebridge has taken over the old Berrima Vault House to offer bespoke experiences ranging from culinary pop-ups to concierge services. Non-members are invited to enquire about gaining access to club facilities on certain days of the year.
Cuisine: Contemporary Australian Atmosphere: Citizen Kanebridge sets a new benchmark for clubhouses in the area. Average price: $$$$ Location: 11 Old Hume Hwy, Berrima
13. Eschalot
Formal country dining at its best. (Image: Destination NSW)
Best for: Feeling good about your choices by dining at a restaurant with a low-waste ethos.
You will find restaurant Eschalot in Berrima, just 10 minutes from Bowral. The restaurant housed in a heritage-listed sandstone cottage screams country charm. Is it any wonder, then, that the tables are full of locals looking so smug? Chef Matty Roberts shows off his technique with dishes that are like a succession of flavours, and textures, while his wife Cass Wallace works the floor. Uber to the restaurant so you can enjoy the 10-course fine-dining banquet with paired wines and avoid driving back to your boutique accommodation. If you’re not up for the ‘feed me’ menu, the Maugers rib-eye with confit garlic and herb butter is a good bet.
Cuisine: A passion for provenance and modern Australian flavours. Atmosphere: A charming dining room that blends paddock-to-plate practices with tradition and innovation. Average price: $$$ Location: 24 Old Hume Highway, Berrima
14. Leila’s at the Grand
For top-notch Lebanese, look no further than Leila’s. (Image: Supplied)
Best for: Families and group gathos.
Leila’s at the Grand is one of the best restaurants in Bowral. The Lebanese restaurant is run by Michael and Raye Abouchabake. The couple moved to the Southern Highlands nearly three decades ago to establish Cafe Rocco, which was considered one of the best cafes in Bowral. While Cafe Rocco has since changed hands, Leila’s at the Grand pays homage to Michael’s mum, Leila, who led the kitchen at the sister cafe before she sadly passed away. Everything on the menu at Leila’s would make Michael’s mum proud. Order the mixed grill platter, which reads like a list of Leila’s greatest hits.
Cuisine: Traditional Lebanese mezze such as grilled lamb and kofta, tabouli, hummus, baba ghanoush, mixed pickles and garlic bread. Atmosphere: Fun and festive. Average price: $$$ Location: Grand Arcade, 295-297 Bong Bong St, Bowral
15. Bendooley Estate
The grand Georgian homestead is tucked into the scenic vineyards. (Image: Destination NSW)
Best for: Bookish types and road-trippers
Bendooley Estate helped herald a new chapter for the Southern Highlands. The atmospheric bookshop has given road-trippers from Sydney and Canberra a reason to pull off the highway for the past four decades. The Berrima book barn is of course best known for its collection of second-hand, rare and antiquarian books. But the grand Georgian homestead also has a fabulous restaurant and bar. Start with a glass of wine and charcuterie plate in the cellar door then bunker down in the cosy book barn for panzanella, margherita pizzas and a mixed leaf salad on the side.
Cuisine: Flavourful fare inspired by the seasons. Atmosphere: This restaurant tucked away in a book barn has more than a touch of literary charm. Average price: $$$ Location: 3020 Old Hume Hwy, Berrima
16. Artemis Wines
Sample wine and cheese at Artemis.
Best for: Galloping gourmands
Artemis Wines is not just for lovers of great wines. The estate also offers a lunch of light platters (think cheeseboards) on the lawn from Monday to Friday as well as the occasional pop-up BYO vinyl nights for holidaying hipsters. What more do you need when on holiday in the Southern Highlands than a cheese plate and a glass of wine? The winery is conveniently located for those whose country boltholes are just minutes away. The winery known for its cool-climate wines is also family-friendly offering woodfired pizzas on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 3.15pm.
Cuisine: Picnic-style cheese and charcuterie boards as well as woodfired pizzas. Atmosphere: For taking it easy (and cheesy). Average price: $$ Location: 46 Sir Charles Moses Lane
17. Toshi’s Japanese Restaurant
Dine on authentic Japanese at Toshi’s.
Best for: The best sushi and sashimi in the Southern Highlands.
Toshi’s is a Southern Highlands institution. The family-run restaurant led by chef and restaurateur Toshi San has been going strong in Mittagong for more than three decades. The thoughtfully curated menu is Toshi San’s love letter to Japan. The Japanese proverb Kuru mono kaeru ga gotoshi offers an insight into what to expect at Toshi’s. It translates to ‘relax like at home’, which is what this old-school sushi spot aims to achieve. Although chef Toshi has made the Southern Highlands his home, he stays true to the sushi master skills he learned working as a chef in Japan.
Cuisine Expect very precise Japanese sushi and sashimi and order a procession of them. Atmosphere: There’s a patina and warmth here that cannot be contrived. Average price: $$ Location: Beaumont Gardens, 60 Bowral Rd, Mittagong
18. Josh’s Cafe
Best for: A laid-back eatery that celebrates multicultural Australia.
This cafe by day, restaurant by night feels like a home away from home, which explains why it is perennially packed with creatives from the local community. Josh’s Cafe has got chairs that recall your Mittagong mate’s place. Framed photos on the walls. And shelves lined with books you will want to borrow. Chef Joshua Levins is all about guaranteeing his guests have a good time. The chef promises contemporary flavours inspired by premium local produce. Check the blackboard for daily specials like pork belly with green papaya salad and an orange, caramel and ginger sauce. Or spicy, smoky slow-roasted beef brisket with Asian slaw and sriracha chilli mayo. The restaurant is BYO on Thursdays.
Cuisine: Josh’s cafe delivers Mod Mediterranean fare alongside jolly good Asian dishes like pho and turmeric fish curry. Atmosphere: Apart from the smart setting, what leaves an impression is the warm, attentive service. Average price: $$ Location: 9 Old Hume Highway, Berrima
19. Divaa Indian Restaurant
The light-filled and elegant fine diner sets the romantic scene. (Image: Supplied)
Best for: Romantics looking to impress a first date.
Mossy has welcomed a stunning new Indian fine diner to the fold. The restaurant next to the old Moss Vale Post Office boasts rich interiors that reflect the heritage of its owners and chefs. It also draws from regional cuisines found across the Indian subcontinent. Expect authentic Indian flavours, ingredients sourced from local suppliers and spices that take things up a notch. The elegant setting aligns perfectly with the refined dishes on the menu. If you’re like me and love a kick of spice, order the beef vindaloo. Or build your own banquet with classic dishes like richly spiced butter chicken or crisp and savoury masala dosa filled with spiced potatoes and served with tangy chutneys.
Cuisine: The menu is packed with classic dishes delivered with a contemporary spin. Atmosphere: This dreamy fine diner uses texture and patterns to embellish understated furnishings all in a rich palette of mustard seeds and saffron. Average price: $$$ Location: 2/249 Argyle St, Moss Vale
20. Genso Japanese Bistro
This Aussie izakaya offers a fresh spin on Japanese dining. (Image: Genso)
Best for: Top-notch Japanese bites
Moss Vale’s newly launched bistro, Genso Japanese Bistro , has developed quite the following since it opened mid-2025. Taste complements technique in the playful and experimental Japanese restaurant in the hip main strip of Mossy. Soft lighting, seaweed-green pops of colour and rich, earthy textures combine alongside decorative archways and screens that sit comfortably alongside striking cut-outs and custom furniture. This Aussie izakaya offers a fresh spin on Japanese dining in the heart of the Southern Highlands. Think Japanese tapas, sushi, sashimi paired with sakes, spirits, beer and wine from an exceptional drinks list.
Cuisine: Japanese with a few innovative twists and turns. Atmosphere: This dreamy dining room is one of the most sophisticated places to eat and drink in Bowral. Average price: $$$ Location Shop 1&2/445 Argyle St, Moss Vale.
