Sydney's Best Out-of-Town Restaurants, Cafes and Bars for 2024
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.
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. Regional 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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RestaurantPrinthie Wines
208 Nancarrow Lane, Nashdale
Experience wine with altitude paired with oysters farmed on site.
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BarRandy's Wine
50 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach
This sandwich spot turned wine bar from the crew behind Bar Elvina is dedicated to interesting vino and snacky plates to pair — plus, there's still a few top sambos.
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BarLa La La's
16 Globe Lane, Wollongong
A live music dive bar in Wollongong from the Yours and Owls crew.
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BarNight Parrot Wine Bar
69 Crown Street, Wollongong
Sip natural vino and down dumplings at this late-night Wollongong wine bar.
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BarThe Black Cockatoo
88 Kembla Street, Wollongong
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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BarFranks Wild Years
2 Raymond Road, Thirroul
You'll find this record store, bar and live music venue in the coastal village of Thirroul.
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BarResin Brewing
8 Station Street, Bulli
This south coast brewpub is located in a 130-year-old railway guesthouse.
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BarMotel Mezza Social Bar
98 Pacific Highway, Wyong
For Middle Eastern share plates and playful cocktails, make tracks to this Wyong bar and restaurant.
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BarGlamping at Nashdale Lane Wines
125 Nashdale Lane, Nashdale
A family-run vineyard with its own luxury glamping cabins among the vines.
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BarTropicana Social Club
61 Trafalgar Avenue, Woy Woy
Where fun times come with a side of pizza fingers.
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BarTathra Hotel
8-12 Bega Street, Tathra
Order a dozen oysters and a beer from the onsite brewery, then kick back overlooking the ocean.
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BarThe Savoy Long Jetty
391 The Entrance Road, Long Jetty
Drink cocktails in an old movie theatre on the Central Coast.
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BarPocket Bar
74 Terrigal Esplanade, Terrigal
A beachside bar serving up top-notch cocktails and fun snacks on the Central Coast.
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BarHillbilly Cider Shed
2230 Bells Line Of Road, Bilpin
This Bilpin gem makes award-winning ciders, using local fruit — and local fruit only.
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BarJervis Bay Brewing Co
3 Duranbah Drive, Huskisson
Park up in the dog-friendly beer garden to sample a bunch of local craft brews.
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BarCourabyra Wines
805 Courabyra Road, Tumbarumba
An award-winning winery at the foot of the Snowy Mountains producing cool-climate pinot, chardonnay and sparking.
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BarCheeky Dog
147 Soldiers Point Road, Soldiers Point
Bannisters Port Stephens' chic (and pet-friendly) casual bar and eatery.
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BarSeabreeze Hotel
1 Stockton Street, Nelson Bay
Live music, reliable pub feeds and boutique accommodation in the heart of Nelson Bay.
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BarShoal Bay Country Club
35-45 Shoal Bay Road, Shoal Bay
This recently refurbished Port Stephens stalwart delivers holiday vibes in droves.
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BarHusk Farm Distillery
1152 Dulguigan Road, North Tumbulgum
Australia’s first paddock-to-bottle agricole rum distillery, nestled into northern New South Wales.
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BarKrinklewood Estate
712 Wollombi Road, Broke
A cellar door with certified organic drops and sweeping views across the Brokenback Range.
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BarBendooley Estate
3020 Old Hume Highway, Berrima
An opulent, 200-acre property with Italian varieties and a bookshop.
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BarHungerford Hill
2450 Broke Road, Pokolbin
An architecturally stunning cellar door with a two-hatted restaurant.
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BarSilos Estate
B640 Princes Highway, Berry
This old dairy farm is home to a cellar door with an art gallery and a farm-to-table restaurant.
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BarLowe Family Wine Co
Tinja Lane, Mudgee
Organic wines served in a stunning vineyard with panoramic views of Mudgee.
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BarRoss Hill Wines
134 Wallace Lane, Orange
Visit this carbon neutral winery in Orange for cooking classes and a cherry blossom orchard.
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BarPhilip Shaw Wines
100 Shiralee Road, Orange
Find award-winning, cool climate drops and woodfired pizza served in a bluestone barn.
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BarIllawarra Brewing Company Brewhouse
83–85 Montague Street, North Wollongong
Take a tour at this Wollongong microbrewery — then try the beer from the source.
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BarHope Estate
2213 Broke Road, Pokolbin
A sprawling vineyard in the Hunter with a winery, brewery and huge outdoor events space.
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BarFogHorn Brewhouse
218 King Street, Newcastle
American eats, fresh brews and live tunes in Newcastle.
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BarFive Barrel Brewing
318 Keira Street, Wollongong
Sink milkshake IPAs and hibiscus-infused brews at this Wollongong brewery.
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BarMurray's Craft Brewing Co
3443 Nelson Bay Road, Bobs Farm
Road trip to this Port Stephens brewery for cheeseburger spring rolls and Coco Pops-inspired porter.
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BarBay Rd Brewing
89 Donnison Street, Gosford
A sprawling craft brewery and pub in the heart of Gosford.
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BarSix String Brewing Company
330 The Entrance Road, Erina
The Central Coast's original craft brewery.
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BarDistillery Botanica
25 Portsmouth Road, Erina
A stunning garden distillery on the Central Coast.
