Sarah’s Guidebook to the Upper Blue Mountains
Food scene
If you are after something a little different with your coffee, they do an amazing Spekulatte (you need to ask for expresso to be added) but it is exceptionally good particularly on a cool, misty mountain day. Friendly staff, great food.
8 locals recommend
The Blue Mountains Tea Company & True to the Bean Cafe
123 Katoomba StIf you are after something a little different with your coffee, they do an amazing Spekulatte (you need to ask for expresso to be added) but it is exceptionally good particularly on a cool, misty mountain day. Friendly staff, great food.
If you need a bag of beans or a coffee as you wander the streets of Katoomba, Cassiopeia roast their own.
35 locals recommend
Cassiopeia Coffee Katoomba
79 Lurline StIf you need a bag of beans or a coffee as you wander the streets of Katoomba, Cassiopeia roast their own.
If you are after something delicious, whether bread, pies or cakes this is a favourite place. can highly recommend their rhubarb and apple turnovers and then keep walking to Cassiopeia coffee and pick up a coffee and enjoy your stroll - perfect morning in the mountains.
51 locals recommend
Hominy Bakery
185 Katoomba StIf you are after something delicious, whether bread, pies or cakes this is a favourite place. can highly recommend their rhubarb and apple turnovers and then keep walking to Cassiopeia coffee and pick up a coffee and enjoy your stroll - perfect morning in the mountains.
Fantastic wood-fired pizzas, live music on the weekends, excellent cocktails and just a nice vibe.
If going with family, go a little earlier, separate booths available away from the bar.
93 locals recommend
Station Bar & Woodfired Pizza
287 Bathurst RdFantastic wood-fired pizzas, live music on the weekends, excellent cocktails and just a nice vibe.
If going with family, go a little earlier, separate booths available away from the bar.
A newly established business, wonderful greenhouse/outside area set up as a cafe with delicious coffee and food and a very enjoyable atmosphere. The garden is a work in progress and will change throughout the seasons. Picnic packs are available, see their website for details.
13 locals recommend
Sorensens Glasshouse & Gardens
8 Herbert StA newly established business, wonderful greenhouse/outside area set up as a cafe with delicious coffee and food and a very enjoyable atmosphere. The garden is a work in progress and will change throughout the seasons. Picnic packs are available, see their website for details.
If you have a sweet tooth this is the place to visit. It is about a 1/2 hour drive from Katoomba, through Blackheath and Mt Victoria and down through Victoria Pass. The shop sells homemade fudge and is filled with sweets from around the world, the hardest thing is choosing.
30 locals recommend
The Lolly Bug
2297 Great Western HwyIf you have a sweet tooth this is the place to visit. It is about a 1/2 hour drive from Katoomba, through Blackheath and Mt Victoria and down through Victoria Pass. The shop sells homemade fudge and is filled with sweets from around the world, the hardest thing is choosing.
This small brewery has gained numerous awards. The food is great and beer tasting paddles available. Walking distance from the house, in fact rear entry on Cascade street.
35 locals recommend
Mountain Culture Beer Co
23-25 Parke StThis small brewery has gained numerous awards. The food is great and beer tasting paddles available. Walking distance from the house, in fact rear entry on Cascade street.
Looking for a nice bottle of red to have by the fire, this is the bottle shop to head for. Excellent service, amazing selection of regional wines and always something different. There is a deli area selling wonderful produce as well.
19 locals recommend
Carrington Cellars
Parke StreetLooking for a nice bottle of red to have by the fire, this is the bottle shop to head for. Excellent service, amazing selection of regional wines and always something different. There is a deli area selling wonderful produce as well.
Worth booking a tasting and driving through the Megalong Valley. An absolutely glorious place to sit overlooking the vines and enjoy either a cheese board, chacuterie plate or ploughmans lunch whllst tasting some amazing wines.
54 locals recommend
Dryridge Estate - Blue Mountains Winery - Megalong Valley
226 Aspinall RdWorth booking a tasting and driving through the Megalong Valley. An absolutely glorious place to sit overlooking the vines and enjoy either a cheese board, chacuterie plate or ploughmans lunch whllst tasting some amazing wines.
Polar Bear Of Leura
139 Leura MallDelicious food, lovely small bar ambiance.
A new dining experience in Katoomba. Opened March 3, 2023. The owners of the Avalon restaurant on Katoomba st, have started this new venture. The food is delicious, ambience divine and music superb.
Check out their website to see what’s happening and to make a booking. Highly recommended.
Bowery
A new dining experience in Katoomba. Opened March 3, 2023. The owners of the Avalon restaurant on Katoomba st, have started this new venture. The food is delicious, ambience divine and music superb.
Check out their website to see what’s happening and to make a booking. Highly recommended.
Sightseeing
Iconic view, absolutely amazing at changing light. Worth getting up early for a look at the sunrise, and equally amazing at sunset.
A short walk back up the hill to the milk bar and they have delicious lemon myrtle donuts, or if you are there at sunset there is a nice wine bar that serves regional wines and food.
181 locals recommend
Three Sisters
Iconic view, absolutely amazing at changing light. Worth getting up early for a look at the sunrise, and equally amazing at sunset.
A short walk back up the hill to the milk bar and they have delicious lemon myrtle donuts, or if you are there at sunset there is a nice wine bar that serves regional wines and food.
Govetts Leap lookout
Just stunning.
Beautiful gardens, often an art exhibition on so check out their website.
13 locals recommend
Everglades Historic House and Gardens
37 Everglades AvenueBeautiful gardens, often an art exhibition on so check out their website.
Worth a visit, get a day pass and enjoy the scenic railway, cable car and skyway. Explore Katoomba Falls and walk through the paths in the valley and discover the history of Katoomba. Pack a picnic or some snacks to enjoy in the valley below. Check their website for special events.
192 locals recommend
Scenic World station
LOT 591 Cliff DrWorth a visit, get a day pass and enjoy the scenic railway, cable car and skyway. Explore Katoomba Falls and walk through the paths in the valley and discover the history of Katoomba. Pack a picnic or some snacks to enjoy in the valley below. Check their website for special events.
Wonderful view of Boar's Head, and fabulous lookout. Short walk from plenty of parking, few stairs. Amazing at sunset.
16 locals recommend
Cahill's Lookout
258-276 Cliff DrWonderful view of Boar's Head, and fabulous lookout. Short walk from plenty of parking, few stairs. Amazing at sunset.
Craft
If you are into knitting or crochet, Jenny has the most wonderful collection of yarns. You can also organise a group lesson if you are up there for a girls trip away and she is happy for you to select the project or work at whatever level you are at. Have had a lot of fun her under her instruction.
The Granny Square Katoomba
53-55 Waratah StIf you are into knitting or crochet, Jenny has the most wonderful collection of yarns. You can also organise a group lesson if you are up there for a girls trip away and she is happy for you to select the project or work at whatever level you are at. Have had a lot of fun her under her instruction.
The Stitching Post
A wonderful selection of patchwork fabrics.
Local Cultural Scene/Art Galleries
Art gallery, library, cafe, lookout, and shop selling local artisans wares.
112 locals recommend
Blue Mountains Cultural Centre
30 Parke StArt gallery, library, cafe, lookout, and shop selling local artisans wares.
Nice to wander through, always changing and across the road from Cassiopeia coffee.
27 locals recommend
Lost Bear Gallery
98 Lurline StNice to wander through, always changing and across the road from Cassiopeia coffee.
Local Op Shops
Children's Cancer Foundation Boutique Op-Shop
156 Bathurst RdAntique Shops
Excellent Antique shop and old book shop, vintage clothing etc. And open till 8pm on Friday and Saturday nights.
12 locals recommend
Mr Pickwick's Fine Old Books
84 Katoomba StExcellent Antique shop and old book shop, vintage clothing etc. And open till 8pm on Friday and Saturday nights.
Old theatre filled by numerous antique stallholders selling china, furniture, jewellery, vintage clothing etc. Perfect place to spend rainy afternoon.
71 locals recommend
Victory Theatre Antique Centre
21 Govetts Leap RdOld theatre filled by numerous antique stallholders selling china, furniture, jewellery, vintage clothing etc. Perfect place to spend rainy afternoon.
Opened Thursday to Sunday, this shop is well organised and full of wonderful objects. A perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon.
7 locals recommend
Hazelbrook Cottage Antique Centre
33 Railway ParadeOpened Thursday to Sunday, this shop is well organised and full of wonderful objects. A perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon.