Sydney's Best Out-of-Town Restaurants, Cafes and Bars for 2023
From regional fine diners to country bakehouses to garden gin distilleries, these are the spots to plan a day trip — or a whole weekend away — around.

Sydney's Best Out-of-Town Restaurants, Cafes and Bars for 2023
When it comes to the weekend, sometimes you just need to get out of the city. But, unless you have a favourite camping spot or hike, it can be hard to decide where to go on a whim. We find that choosing a fab out-of-town place to eat or drink really helps that.
Pick a restaurant, cafe, distillery or brewery located a short drive out of Sydney and plan the rest of your sojourn around it. New South Wales has a heap of great options a not-too-far drive from the city, so you can escape for an afternoon of freshly baked pastries or a whole weekend of fine dining.
Image: The Lucky Bee
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Food & Drink
Long Point Vineyard & Art Gallery
A vineyard that combines two of life's finest forms — art and wine.
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Food & Drink
Little Shack
Visit this all-day eatery at Port Macquarie's breakwall for brekkie tacos, lobster rolls and frozen cocktails.
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Food & Drink
Night Parrot Wine Bar
Sip natural vino and down dumplings at this late-night Wollongong wine bar.
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Food & Drink
The Black Cockatoo
Hiding behind a non-descript door in a retail store is a raucous dive bar with a killer craft beer lineup.
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Food & Drink
Kneading Ruby
This warehouse restaurant has the most OTT garlic bread you'll ever order.
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Food & Drink
Two Smoking Barrels Barbecue Joint
You'll find this Carolina-style low-and-slow barbecue joint smack-bang between two car yards.
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Food & Drink
His Boy Elroy
A laneway bar in Wollongong serving American-style snacks and over 50 types of whisky.
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Food & Drink
Opus Coffee Brewers
Batch brews, bagels and muffins that'll make even the greatest of cynics happy.
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Food & Drink
Lili J
Start your day with a BLAT croissant or the OG bacon and egg roll at this cosy corner cafe.
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Food & Drink
Franks Wild Years
You'll find this record store, bar and live music venue in the coastal village of Thirroul.
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Food & Drink
Resin Brewing
This south coast brewpub is located in a 130-year-old railway guesthouse.
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Food & Drink
The Growers Shoalhaven
Next time you're driving through Shoalhaven, stop for pulled pork empanadas or a cauliflower burger at this 450-seat indoor-outdoor restaurant.
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Food & Drink
Arc. Est
Order the Corrie Island oysters and a bottle of Australian wine to start your long lunch here.
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Food & Drink
Motel Mezza Social Bar
For Middle Eastern share plates and playful cocktails, make tracks to this Wyong bar and restaurant.
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Travel & Leisure
Glamping @ Nashdale
A family-run vineyard with its own luxury glamping cabins among the vines.
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Food & Drink
Bar Toto
Coffee cocktails, antipasti platters and cosy weekend vibes are what you'll find at this Ettalong nook.
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Food & Drink
Kew Dining
Elegant high tea and daily paddock-to-plate café fare found in a bright and contemporary setting.
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Food & Drink
Tathra Hotel
Order a dozen oysters and a beer from the onsite brewery, then kick back overlooking the ocean.
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Food & Drink
Little Creek Cheese
Sample award-winning cheeses at this boutique cheese factory — then learn to make your own.
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Food & Drink
Eschalot
A homey Southern Highlands fine diner serving up fresh, seasonal dishes in a quaint stone cottage.
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Food & Drink
Pocket Bar
A beachside bar serving up top-notch cocktails and fun snacks on the Central Coast.
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Food & Drink
Burnt Honey Bakery
This Central Coast gem dishes up cassia bark and lemon zest custard tarts, flaky croissants and freshly baked sourdough right by the beach.
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Food & Drink
Hillbilly Cider Shed
This Bilpin gem makes award-winning ciders, using local fruit — and local fruit only.
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Food & Drink
Jervis Bay Brewing Co
Park up in the dog-friendly beer garden to sample a bunch of local craft brews.
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Food & Drink
Huskisson Hotel
This Jervis Bay gem has a massive, well-shaded deck and floor-to-ceiling windows — so expect panoramic ocean views.
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Food & Drink
Courabyra Wines
An award-winning winery at the foot of the Snowy Mountains producing cool-climate pinot, chardonnay and sparking.
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Food & Drink
Rick Stein at Bannisters Port Stephens
The celebrity chef's penchant for top-notch seafood continues at this Port Stephens resort.
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Food & Drink
The Wild Herring
Enjoy a next-level seafood dinner at The Anchorage's flagship restaurant.
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Food & Drink
The Poyer's
An over-the-water eatery in the sleepy Port Stephens town of Lemon Tree Passage.
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Food & Drink
Seabreeze Hotel
Live music, reliable pub feeds and boutique accommodation in the heart of Nelson Bay.
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Food & Drink
The Little Nel
Get your weekend away in Nelson Bay off to a good start with brekkie at this local gem.
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Food & Drink
Shoal Bay Country Club
This recently refurbished Port Stephens stalwart delivers holiday vibes in droves.
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Food & Drink
Milkwood Bakery
Fresh pastries, sourdough bread and a cheery brunch menu from the team that brought you Berry Sourdough Cafe.
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Food & Drink
Diggies Kiama
This out-of-town coastal cafe is right near the spectacular Kiama Blowhole.
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Food & Drink
The Marshmallow Co.
A dessert bar with more than 25 homemade marshmallow flavours located in a historic Wyong building.
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Food & Drink
Hampden Deli
An ex-Quay chef is serving up inventive brunches and road trip-worthy pastries in the Kangaroo Valley.
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Food & Drink
Hyper Hyper Coffee
This South Coast cafe does 1950s-style coffee done properly: dark, rich and strong.
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Food & Drink
The Treehouse Cafe
Generous, good-hearted fare in a country cottage on the South Coast.
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Food & Drink
Husk Farm Distillery
Australia’s first paddock-to-bottle agricole rum distillery, nestled into northern New South Wales.
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Food & Drink
The Boathouse Hotel Patonga
Here, you can enjoy vibrant fare — from breakfast through dinner — and frozen watermelon margaritas right on the water.
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Food & Drink
Krinklewood Estate
A cellar door with certified organic drops and sweeping views across the Brokenback Range.
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Food & Drink
Silos Estate
This old dairy farm is home to a cellar door with an art gallery and a farm-to-table restaurant.
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Food & Drink
Lowe Family Wine Co
Organic wines served in a stunning vineyard with panoramic views of Mudgee.
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Food & Drink
Ross Hill Wines
Visit this carbon neutral winery in Orange for cooking classes and a cherry blossom orchard.
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Food & Drink
Philip Shaw Wines
Find award-winning, cool climate drops and woodfired pizza served in a bluestone barn.
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Food & Drink
Illawarra Brewing Company Brewhouse
Take a tour at this Wollongong microbrewery — then try the beer from the source.
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Food & Drink
Hope Estate
A sprawling vineyard in the Hunter with a winery, brewery and huge outdoor events space.
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Food & Drink
Five Barrel Brewing
Sink milkshake IPAs and hibiscus-infused brews at this Wollongong brewery.
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Food & Drink
Murray's Craft Brewing Co
Road trip to this Port Stephens brewery for cheeseburger spring rolls and Coco Pops-inspired porter.
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Food & Drink
Glee Coffee Roasters Chapman
A speciality coffee hot spot located in a sprawling, historic Wyong building.
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Food & Drink
Woy Woy Fishermen's Wharf
Head to Woy Woy and enjoy just-caught seafood (and standout fish and chips) by the water.
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Food & Drink
Berowra Waters Inn
Refinement in a bush setting proves that Berowra Waters Inn hasn't finished making history yet.