Now Open: Three Blue Ducks' New Regional Restaurant Celebrates Fresh Produce and Big Flavours

Three Blue Ducks has expanded its collection of ever-popular farm-to-table eateries with a new road trip-worthy regional restaurant. Following the opening of a Snowy Mountains outpost in 2020 (and closures of its Brisbane restaurant and original Bronte cafe), the hospitality group has now turned its attention to the New South Wales mid-north coast to showcase the area's renowned produce at a venue in Bellingen.

The new addition to the Three Blue Ducks family is located at scenic Bellingen hotel The Lodge, expanding the group's current slate of locations to five alongside Rosebery, Byron Bay, Melbourne and Nimbo. Located on the hotel's 16-acre gardens surrounded by Dorrigo National Park, the 180-seat restaurant (80 indoors and 100 outside) offers all of the hallmarks of Three Blue Ducks with a menu that favours bold, spice-packed dishes.

The Three Blue Ducks crew has been working with a range of local suppliers including Levenvale Farms, The Patch Organics, Nautical Wholesale Seafood, Coffs Coast Mushrooms, Promised Land Organics, Jilly Wines and Woolgoolga Brewing to pull together a menu that places the spotlight on the best beef, seafood, chicken, vegetables and drinks that the region has to offer.

The all-day restaurant will kick things off early on Saturdays and Sundays with Single O coffee, plus brekkie favourites like the restaurant group's beloved granola, bacon and egg rolls, avocado and roasted mushroom toast, and cocktails like lychee mimosas and cherry blossom spritzes. From there, Bellingen locals, hotel guests and tourists alike can settle in for a flavour-packed lunch or dinner, with a hefty a la carte selection available alongside a series of set menus.

There's a prominent Asian influence throughout the menu, with dumplings and bao on offer as starters, salt and Szechuan pepper squid, and prawn toast available on the smaller plates; cauliflower curry on the mains; and a chocolate yuzu eclair ready to round out your meal.

Other highlights diners can expect at Three Blue Ducks Bellingen include beef tartare with chilli oil and togarashi; lemon, lime and sour plum duck; ponzu-topped oysters; flank steak with citrus butter and curry leaf; and miso caramel cheesecake.

"The inspiration behind the menu came from ingredients growing around the area," says co-owner Darren Robertson.

"We've always loved working with spice, lemongrass, ginger, chilli, makrut, etc — and after working closely with the local producers and farmers, we've created a menu for the Bello restaurant that showcases these flavours."

There's also a separate functions menu, with the Three Blue Ducks team working with The Lodge to offer private events and catering for weddings. The Lodge boasts 30 individual rooms, luxury glamping options, a pool with day beds and a bar, and five alpacas that wander the gardens. Reservations for the restaurant are open now.

Find Three Blue Ducks Bellingen at The Lodge, 1381 Waterfall Way, Bellingen — open for dinner Monday–Sunday, lunch Friday–Sunday and breakfast Saturday–Sunday.

Images: Steven Woodburn.