Eat like a local: Blue Mountains

Louise, who is a mum of two and part-time worker, lives smack bang in the middle of Katoomba and loves meeting people for coffee, brunch and a cheeky lunch when she can manage it. She has lived in the area for over ten years and if you’re headed that way anytime soon, the following list will be very useful indeed.

Where would you go for breakfast or brunch?

“I’d go to Fed in Wentworth Falls. It used to be just a little deli but it became so popular during Covid that they took over part of the building upstairs and now they do beautiful breakfasts, brunches and lunches. They do everything from eggs benedict to lovely salads and it’s still quite deli-style downstairs. You can get delicious baked goods, like cakes and slices, but you can also get a chicken schnitzel roll. It’s really beautiful. Not only is the food great but it’s such a nice place to relax and there’s plenty of room so you don’t feel cramped.”

What about a great bakery?

“Bakehouse on Wentworth has a bakery in Blackheath, Leura and down at Springwood. They make the most amazing pies, pastries and bread. I really love their Turkish bread.”

I would think the Blue Mountains would have great scones. Am I right?

“Yes, there’s a place in Leura called The Wayzgoose Diner and they do scones in little terracotta pots and they are divine. They come with cream and mixed berry jam, so you can have them with tea or coffee.

The Megalong Valley Tea Rooms also does a generous serving of scones. It’s a lovely drive and when you get there, you’ll find nice breakfast and lunches as well as the scones. They also do a great Reuban sandwich and I’ve had fab brunches there too.”

Best takeaway?

“Basil Nut do the best Thai in the Blue Mountains. They’re in an arcade in Katoomba, but they are so good. I can never choose between the fish curry or the duck curry, but there is nothing I have had from there that I haven’t loved. It’s really authentic, it can be a little expensive but it’s really good and it’s definitely not your average suburban Thai.”

Where would you go for a sweet treat?

“Black Cockatoo Bakery! They are French artisan bakers and their main shop is down at Lawson but they are in Katoomba too. They do all sorts of beautiful French pastries, their chocolate croissants are just stunning and the bread is excellent too.”

You’ll find me shopping for food at…

“Todarello’s in Katoomba is your typical italian greengrocer and everything is really fresh and reasonably priced. They also have a bit of a deli and I love Spanish anchovies so I go for that as well as Mediterranean cheeses and antipasto that you wouldn’t get anywhere else.

Once a month, the Blackheath Growers Market is on. I head up there to support the growers in the area. There’s local fruit and veg as well as plants, a little bit of craft, and there’s a lot of great takeaway too. There are beautiful egg and bacon rolls, local apple cider and local cheeses from the Central West and Megalong Valley.”

A cheap and cheerful spot is…

“There are actually quite a few, but I would go with Pho Moi. They do really good, fresh authentic Vietnamese dishes that are ridiculously cheap. So if you want to go for a good cheap meal, that’s where I would go.”

What about drinks after work?

“The Carrington is the obvious one. It’s quite old fashioned, in that it isn’t particularly cool, but they have comfy lounges and a big open fire. It’s a nice place to meet friends and have a drink.”

Or head to the Station Bar which is at Katoomba train station. It’s a younger crowd and it’s really popular as well as being in an easy to get to location. They do have pizzas and they are pretty good – they’re all named after villages in the Blue Mountains.”

I’d take someone to dinner at…

“When I go out with my friends, we go to the Alexandra Hotel, or what the locals call The Alex, You can go more casual here with gourmet pizzas or you can go fancier with white table cloths, an open fire, flowers on the table and really great desserts. They do a really good sticky date pudding.”

A place that really impresses people is…

“The Hydro. I take people up there and the good thing is, depending on what you fancy, you can go up to the reception area and have a glass of Champagne while looking over the valley, or just go into the cafe and have a sandwich and a glass of wine too.”

What’s something you think people might not think to do in the Blue Mountains?

“If we find ourselves with some time on our hands, we go to Logan Brae Apple Orchard and drink their warm apple juice with cinnamon. There’s nothing better than a cup of that, sitting outside, even on a cold day and looking over the Megalong Valley. Also they do enormous apple pies that are really good and enough for two. It’s a cute, fun little thing to do.”

Blue Mountains secret gem is…

“When people come to visit, I often take them to Mount Vic Flicks. It’s a quirky independent cinema which has been in the Mountains since the 30s and they show mainstream and alternative movies. With your movie, we always get hot soup and a crusty piece of bread or a cup of tea – it’s great, and just something that’s unique to the Mountains.”

The Blue Mountains is a great place to eat because…

“There are lots of restaurants and cafes that draw on local produce and it’s fresh and vibrant. There are all sorts of people here too, from artsy types to Sydney slickers who come up for the weekend to people who have lived here for generations. It makes a great authentic mix and it has that village feel because all the locals know each other.”

Your Blue Mountains address book:

Fed Blue Mountains: 6 Station St, Wentworth Falls NSW 2782

Bakehouse on Wentworth: 105 Wentworth St, Blackheath NSW 2785 (also in Leura and Springwood)

The Wayzgoose Diner: 174 Leura Mall, Leura NSW 2780

Megalong Valley Tea Rooms: Megalong Rd, Megalong Valley NSW 2785

Basil Nut Asian Kitchen: 5/147-153 Katoomba St, Katoomba NSW 2780

Black Cockatoo Bakery: 1 Staples Cres, Lawson NSW 2783 and 165 Katoomba St, Katoomba NSW 2780

Todarello’s Katoomba Village Fruit Market: 170-180 Bathurst Rd, Katoomba NSW 2780

Blackheath Growers Market: 265 Great Western Hwy, Blackheath NSW 2785

Pho Moi: Shop 1/39 Waratah St, Katoomba NSW 2780

The Carrington Hotel: 15-47 Katoomba St, Katoomba NSW 2780

Station Bar & Woodfired Pizza: 287 Bathurst Rd, Katoomba NSW 2780

Alexandra Hotel: Access Ramp West, 62 Great Western Hwy, Leura NSW 2780

The Hydro Majestic Hotel Blue Mountains: 52-88 Great Western Hwy, Medlow Bath NSW 2780

Logan Brae Apple Orchard: 139 Shipley Rd, Megalong Valley NSW 2785

Mount Vic Flicks: 2A Harley Ave, Mount Victoria NSW 2786