The Top 20 Bowral Cafes To Fuel Up At

From bakeries to bistros to hip cafes in heritage buildings and spaces with their own market garden, the best cafes in Bowral and beyond are a celebration of Southern Highlands produce.

The best Bowral cafes are all about drinking in the Southern Highlands’ scene. Sitting in the main street sipping a ristretto signals I’m on holiday. It’s right up there with getting out into nature, exploring Southern Highlands vineyards and trawling for antiques.

The centre of Bowral is easily walkable and you’ll find everything you’re looking for here. From specialty coffee to artisan pastries, brunch for champions, or lunch paired with local cool-climate wines, Bowral has a lot to discover.

Here is the ultimate guide to 20 of the best cafes in Bowral and beyond.

The shortlist

Hottest new opening: Dolly’s Donuts
Best coffee: Rush Roasting Co.
Best pastries: Fermento
Hidden gem: Your Vintage Occasion Tea Salon
Family-friendly spot: Franquette Crêperie
Casual eats: Kaffeine Bowral
Best date: Italo

1. Dolly’s Donuts

Dolly's Donuts, Bowral cafes — Pick up a cheeky dozen at Dolly’s Donuts.

Follow the aroma of cinnamon and sugar down Bowral’s main street to find this brand-new cafe and donut dispenser. You could hole up here to crush a couple of donuts on your Pat Malone. Alternatively, pick up a cheeky dozen to keep the kids happy on the remainder of your road trip. The pastry makers here dole out donuts with a range of deliciously innovative flavours. We’re talking Biscoff Cheesecake, Boston Cream, Cream Bun or Ham and Cheeze Pizza Pocket. Pick up a Dolly’s Donuts Gift Card for your best mate in Bowral.|

Cuisine: Tasty treats, gelato and donuts.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Fun, friendly.
Location: 1/310-312 Bong Bong Street, Bowral

2. The Press Shop, Bowral

brunch at The Press Shop, Bowral cafes — Brunch at this Bowral cafe is bright and convivial.

Billed as ‘that lovely little cafe in Bowral’, The Press Shop is within what was once an old bespoke letterpress studio. The darling entrance, though refreshed, has remained the same, offering visitors a taste of the Highlands’ heritage on the main street of Bowral. Even on a grey day, brunch at the Bowral cafe is bright and convivial. There are the bare floorboards, pops of duck-egg-blue decor and hanging pendant lights. And of course, the happy staff scribbling up lists of inspired specials like the barra burger or fish tacos that keep local producers proudly front of mind.

Cuisine: Mod Oz
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Elegant, airy, luxe
Location: 5, 391/397 Bong Bong St, Bowral

3. Plantation Cafe

the bright and airy interior of Plantation Cafe, Bowral cafes — This plant-filled cafe offers a delectable all-day menu. (Image: Elise Hassey)

Green Lane is just down the street from The Press Shop in Bowral’s main buzzy shopping and dining precinct. And this character-filled precinct is home to all manner of culinary, retail and horticultural delights. Plantation Cafe is one of the best cafes in Bowral for its consistently good coffee (it’s Double Roasters doll), fresh pastries and all-day menu. Sit around the communal table and shoot the breeze with Bowral locals who love this light and airy plant-filled cafe.

Cuisine: Mod Oz
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Elegant, airy, luxe
Location: 21 Banyette St, Bowral

4. Harry’s on Green Lane

Head next door to Harry’s On Green Lane if Plantation Cafe is jam-packed; it’s one of the best restaurants and bars in Bowral. Harry’s is named in honour of English horticulturalist Sir Harry Veitch, founder of Chelsea Flower Show. Dress as a dapper English gent to look the part in this colourful cafe, which is awash in greenery. The interiors are both sleek and sumptuous with soaring high ceilings, cane lamp shades and a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf. Harry’s is open daily for lunch; Fridays and Saturdays for dinner. Order ‘Today’s Soup’, with sourdough at the cafe next to Dirty Janes, one of the best spots to shop in Bowral.

Cuisine: Nourishing country fare.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Elegant, airy, luxe
Location: 15-17 Banyette St, Bowral

5. Franquette Crêperie

brunch at Franquette Crêperie, Bowral cafes — Franquette Crêperia serves unforgettable crepes. (Image: Mattio Panunzio)

Power walk past the locals with teacup poodles in their handbags to secure a table for le petit dejeuner at Franquette Crêperie. The crêperie that declares “these are not pancakes’ on its website deserves a dedicated detour. It’s more Brittany than Bowral. And that’s because it’s run by Frenchman Julien Besnard and his Australian wife Remy who brought a little bit of Julien’s Breton heritage to Bowral’s cafe culture. On weekdays, you’ll find the place buzzing with former city slickers who, post-pandemic, now work from their country homes and queue up on the daily for crêpes and coffee. Practise your French and order a few galettes to go. It’s a top spot suitable to take everyone from your nan to your favourite niece.

Cuisine: Paper-thin crêpes with contemporary flavours such as Mexican or banoffee pie.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Inclusive, welcoming, warm and wonderful. Shout-out to the elite acoustic engineers who have invested in getting the sound levels right.
Location: 329 Bong Bong St, Bowral

6. Your Vintage Occasion Tea Salon

One of the best things to do in Bowral is bounce between antique shops looking for vintage finds. Dress in your Bridgerton best for high tea at Your Vintage Occasion . ‘Bahral’ as the locals pronounce it, became the summer playground of Sydney’s gentry in the 19th century. Channel the spirit of eccentric aristocracy as you sip on brews from the Highlands Tea Company in fine bone China cups at this charming tea salon, tucked away in the Bradman Museum. Scones are the headline attraction here, served with generous dollops of jam and cream. Take your tween to the ‘Little Ones’, one of the best high teas in Bowral.

Cuisine: Classic high tea, scones, sweet and savoury selection and desserts.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Elegant, airy, luxe
Location: Inside the Bradman Museum, St Jude St, Bowral

7. Fermento

Fermento is where I go to get my fix of artisan baked goods and pastries in Bowral. The family-owned Bowral bakery cafe in the centre of town has honed its cornerstone offering down to a fine art. The sourdough bread is by Baked in Berrima and comprises organic flour, purified water and Australian sea salt. Choose from a concise selection of sweet and savoury delights, from flaky croissants to meat pies. Angle for a table at the Bong Bong St bakery to enjoy the muffuletta stuffed with cured meats, cheese and salad. The attention to detail is what binds Fermento to its sister venues: Berrima General Store and Baked in Berrima – all of which make my list of best bakeries in Bowral.

Cuisine: Artisan baked goods, both savoury and sweet
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Push open the fire-engine red door to find Fermento, all dark and moody, charcoal and timber tones.
Location: 275 Bong Bong St, Bowral

8. Gumnut Patisserie

a little boy enjoying desserts at Gumnut Patisserie, Bowral cafes — The cafe’s mantra is ‘Life’s short, eat dessert first’. (Image: Destination Southern Highlands/HCreations)

Gumnut Patisserie – going strong for more than two decades – has stores in Bowral, Berrima and Mittagong. Moreover, it’s justifiably known for its baked goods, cupcakes and cakes tailored for special occasions. Bridgerton’s Penelope Featherington would approve of the high tea on offer here. The range of elaborate bites includes mini quiches, sausage rolls, pies and petit fours as well as sponge cakes with jam and cream. Gumnut Patisserie is known for its ‘Neenish Tart’, which took out the top spot in the Wotif Uniquely Aussie Awards. The dessert has a pastry base and a cream filling.

Cuisine: Cakes, flans, cupcakes, mini tartlets, high tea, frozen cakes and special occasions. cakes.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: This handsome
Location: Shop 7, Grand Arcade Bowral

9. Studio @ The What If Society

a dessert plate at The What If Society, Bowral cafes — Indulge in a decadent treat at The What If Society.

Head chef Eilish Maloney worked at the Michelin-starred Ledbury in London alongside Brett Graham and was head chef at Saint Peter. What a boon for Bowral and Moss Vale that the chef has returned to her roots. Like Bowral, Moss Vale is now bookmarked as a destination rather than a place to pass through. Conscious consumers will find their happy place at The What If Society, a sustainable zero-waste food cooperative that works in collaboration with local suppliers around the Southern Highlands to make a difference. The cafe is an offshoot of all the co-op delivers. The farm-to-table restaurant goes beyond the buzzwords.

Cuisine: Rustic, honest, sustainable, sensational paddock-to-plate fare.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Warm and welcoming granny-chic vibes.
Location: 443 Argyle St, Moss Vale.

10. RAW & WILD Market & Cafe

Raw and Wild cafe in Bowral, NSW — The front of the cafe features a whole-food store. (Image: Carla Grossetti)

Burradoo is not known as Burradoo in these parts. That’s because those residing in the suburb known as Sydney’s Hamptons want to flex their net worth when you ask them where they live.  But you can still enjoy the good life in Bowral even if you don’t make the Rich List. Head to RAW & WILD Market & Cafe to enrich your day with a health-conscious breakfast or lunch. The eco-conscious eatery leads onto an outdoor terrace at the back of a wholefood store. Choose sweet potato fritters for brekkie. Or mushroom risotto using fungi sourced from Mittagong train tunnel for lunch. There’s a kids’ menu, grazing options and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays.

Cuisine: Organic wholefoods that will make you feel good about yourself.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Rustic timber floors, a chocolate banquette and wall tangled with wild greenery.
Location: 250 Bong Bong St, Bowral.

11. Rush Roasting Co.

pouring milk over coffee at Rush Roasting Co., Bowral cafes — The coffee at Rush Roasting Co. in Bowral is award-winning.

Rummage in the vintage section of Dirty Janes until you find a foppish hat so you fit in with the immaculately dressed locals drinking coffee at Rush Roasting Co . This lovely eatery, run by award-winning artisan roasters, is considered one of the best cafes in Bowral. It also has a sister cafe in Moss Vale. Rush Roasting Co. started roasting in 1998, long before specialty coffee was a given in the Southern Highlands. They offer barista-training courses and sell a range of coffee products aimed at keen beans. Enjoy zucchini and corn fritters pre-piccolo.

Cuisine: Classic breakfast and lunch options with a Mod Oz accents.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Industrial chic with communal tables arrayed around a shipping container dubbed ‘the Tinny’.
Location: 64 Bowral St, Bowral

12. Nick’s

Nick's cafe in Bowral, NSW — Nick’s in Bowral has been going strong since 2020.

Coffee and art collide at Nick’s in Bowral , a light-filled cafe that has been a place for the community to gather since opening in 2020. You’ll see evidence of this in the queues congregating here on Saturday mornings for shots of coffee and a chat. Banter with the barista, then grab a seat on the bench outside the blue-on-white cafe to watch Bong Bong Street go by. The cafe has free wi-fi so expect to share the communal countertops with a few trust-fund kidults. The cafe has become a full-blown institution for coffees that will keep you wired for the day. The seafood congee is also a signature. Pop inside to admire coffee-related ‘Nick’-knacks and art.

Cuisine: Pan-Asian meets Mod Oz.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: The shoebox-sized cafe has a very friendly, local vibe.
Location: 64 Bowral St, Bowral

13. Cafe Rocca

breakfast at Cafe Rocca, Bowral — Grab a sweet brekkie at the bustling Cafe Rocca.

Cafe Rocca is a low-key, unpretentious institution in Bowral. Located a few doors down from Leila’s at the Grand , the cafe is a popular spot with locals. Head here for a perfect piccolo using beans roasted by Seven Miles Coffee Roasters alongside staples such as sourdough stacked with avocado, tomato and egg. The cafe, going strong for almost three decades, has changed hands. But it’s still a bustling place for brekkie. Cafe Rocca is also open for lunch, selling crowd-pleasing steak sangas, king prawn pasta and chicken panini.

Cuisine: Mod Oz
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Fuss-free. The courtyard is the place to be.
Location: Shop 8, The Grand Arcade, Bowral

14. The Boston Ivy 1880

The Boston Ivy 1880 is a mere five-minute drive down the road from Bowral in Mittagong. And it’s 100 per cent worth going beyond Bowral for. The Boston Ivy 1880 is housed in an ivy-clad stone building that dates to 1880. It has a pretty courtyard out back and an interior that marries a folksy heritage feel – all unfinished wood and exposed brickwork – with clean, contemporary lines. Open Monday to Saturday (closed Tuesdays), it does a good line of specialty coffee and hearty dishes. Plump for a ‘posh ploughman’, schnitzel sandwich or bacon panino.

Cuisine: Contemporary Australian.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Fuss-free. The courtyard is the place to be.
Location: 197 Main Street, Mittagong

15. Berrima General Store & Cafe

I often rub shoulders with fellow foodies from Sydney at Berrima General Store . The rustic store is on the map for adventurous epicureans who are keen to enjoy the very best local food and produce from the Southern Highlands. The general store stocks indulgent treats supplied by Baked in Berrima and is a must-stop in the Southern Highlands. It’s all about beautifully presented food made with fresh ingredients from the store’s own organic market garden. Pop back for pizza night and a bowl of salad bristling with leaves.

Cuisine: Mod Oz meets Mediterranean.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Super casual. Friendly staff.
Location: 1/13 The Old Hume HIghway, Berima

16. Flour Bar

a plate of chicken at Flour Bar, Bowral — Dine on exquisite meals. (Image: Christopher Pearce)

Flour Bar is set in a mid-century bank on Argyle St, Moss Vale. And though a lot of recipes are under lock and key, we know the formula involves beautifully presented food made with fresh ingredients. Flour Bar is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The dining room at Flour Bar is soothing and warm and ignites as much joy as the treats the bakers turn out each day. Forget TikTok trends. The food here is more like what your English nan makes; think pulled beef brisket pie and mash.

Cuisine: Comforting country classics.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Super casual. Friendly staff.
Location: 1/13 The Old Hume Highway, Berima

17. Sonoma Bowral

pastry treats at Sonoma, Bowral cafes — Peruse the pastry treats at Sonoma.

Sonoma is one of the best bakeries in the Southern Highlands. This little cupboard-sized space was designed by Like Minds studio to be as compact and perfectly formed as one of its divine little cinnamon scrolls. Head into the minimalist-chic cafe and bakery to pick up a loaf of soy linseed and toasted sesame sourdough. The Sonoma brand has been going strong since 1998, and we love it for its attention to detail and commitment to naturally leavened artisan sourdough.

Cuisine: Sourdough and pastry treats and doorstop-sized sandwiches.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Clean lines and minimal aesthetic. Good vibes.
Location: The Grand Arcade, Shop 7c. 250 Bong Bong St, Bowral

18. Kaffeine Bowral

Is it time to switch up your WFH routine? Head to Kaffeine to cement your status as a digital nomad who knows where to go to get Bowral’s best jolt of java. The Bowral cafe serves perfect brews that showcase Seven Miles Coffee Roasters. The light, bright space also has a solid menu of cafe fare like wild mushroom bruschetta and pulled lamb burgers. Order the veggie vegan version of avocado on toast for your hippie friend from Newtown who will appreciate the carefully curated Crunchy Granola Spotify playlist on rotation.

Cuisine: Healthy cafe fare with a few virtuous vegan options.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Scandi-chic meets Southern Highlands.
Location: 374 Bong Bong St, Bowral.

19. Biscotti

Wander down Springett’s Arcade to find this tucked-away cafe that is popular for breakfast, brunch and lunch. The latte art might also be Bowral’s best as the baristas have done their time at some of the best cafes in Sydney and the Southern Highlands. Despite the name, there are a lot more impressive treats besides coffee and Biscoffi . Feeling hangry? The gourmet pies are the go. The Asian-inspired katsu bagel, breakfast burger and salmon fish cakes are also lovely options for lunch. Every time you pop into this Bowral cafe, you’ll find something else to crave or covet. Looking to take your teens to Bowral? The cafe does a killer iced strawberry matcha.

Cuisine: Pan-Asian cafe fare.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Bare tables and polished floorboards, white-on-white interiors and a lovely atmosphere.
Location: 302 Bong Bong St, Bowral.

20. Italo

pouring milk into a coffee cup at Italo, Bowral cafes — Italo serves excellent coffee for your morning pick-me-up. (Image: Daniel Cusack)

The Bowral cafe scene is considered one of the best in the Southern Highlands. And while it feels like there are a lot of Bowral cafes serving Mod Oz fare, Italian restaurants are a little under-represented. Enter Italo . This is not your typical red-sauce, old-school Italian cafe. The Bowral cafe is perched on a corner of The Mill precinct and away from a lot of the hubbub. Italo is frequently mentioned as the best bakery in Bowral for its signature focaccia. They say home is where the hearth is and the chefs at this cafe-bakery-deli have blessed Bowral with their brilliance. Sign the kids up for a pizza-making class while you say ‘how the focaccia’ to a bacon and egg roll.

Cuisine: Authentic Italian with innovative twists.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: It’s a sleek set-up. Bologna meets Bowral.
Location: The Mill, 6/201-224 Bong Bong St, Bowral

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

Where to stay

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

Where to drink & dine

1. The Bar

the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar — Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

2. The Place

the Fullerton Hotel the place dining — Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

3. Local gelato

Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks — Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

What to do/see

1. GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

2. Circular Quay

aerial of circular quay sydney — Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden — Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

4. Theatre Royal

Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.

The definitive guide to 20 of the best Bowral cafes