A Seasonal Guide to the Best Regional NSW Restaurants
Exploring the best of what NSW has to offer when it comes to cuisine means occasionally stepping out of the city and making your way through the winding roads towards regional menus.
NSW’s regional cuisine is a study in contrasts shaped by geography. If you’re heading towards the Central Tablelands, you’d be remiss to pass Orange, where its elevation and cool nights concentrate flavour in fruit and wine. Then, about 300 kilometres northwest of Sydney is Mudgee, where valleys deliver vegetables and grains with hearty, earthy depth. If the ocean is more your vibe, the South Coast merges sea and pasture (like a geographical surf and turf), producing seafood and dairy that carry the salt in the air.
And now is the time to explore - at winter’s end, chefs work with both scarcity and abundance, stretching the last of stored produce while welcoming spring’s first green arrivals. Root vegetables share plates with tender beans, citrus brightens roasts, and seafood meets orchard fruit in unexpected pairings.
But don’t think the seasons rule in these regions… What makes NSW’s regional food distinctive is its refusal to detach from its environment. Menus change not because a calendar says so, but because the land and sea do. This connection makes dining here feel grounded, fleeting and entirely unrepeatable. Here are five of the best restaurants in regional NSW you should add to your dining ventures.
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It's perfect for long lunches that blend paddock-to-plate dining with rolling vineyard viewsYou need to try the five-course seasonal set menu with optional wine pairings from Lowe Family Wine CoLook out for the open kitchen and garden strolls between courses that make every bite feel earnedRead moreRegional dining in NSW can be many things, but at The Zin House it’s a deeply personal invitation. Set among rolling Mudgee hills, every dish here begins with something pulled from the property’s biodynamic garden or sourced from neighbours who farm with the same respect for the land. The five-course set menu unfolds slowly, in dishes designed to be shared, savoured and remembered. Since opening in 2014, it’s held a Good Food Guide Chef’s Hat every year – a quiet but confident acknowledgement of its excellence.
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It's perfect for romantic dinners surrounded by treetops and birdcalls.You need to try the kangaroo loin or whatever's on the native tasting menu.Look out for an open-air dining room nestled in nature.Read moreTucked inside the eco-luxe Paperbark Camp, The Gunyah’s warmly lit, timber-clad dining room feels like a sophisticated treehouse for grown-ups. Here, the South Coast’s seasonal produce and Indigenous bush flavours come together in dishes that reflect the camp’s deep respect for nature, offering a dining experience as immersive and authentic as the paperbark forest that surrounds you. Every bite is crafted with care, showcasing the South Coast’s bounty in a way that’s refined yet unpretentious.
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It's perfect for share-plate feasts that take your tastebuds on a global tourYou need to try the tuna sashimi, goat’s cheese croquettes and fragrant beef curry with rotiLook out for the intimate dining room where every dish feels like a passport stampRead moreRegional dining thrives on connection, and Suq embodies that in every way. With all dishes made in-house, using local catch and ingredients sourced from nearby growers, it champions the Central Coast’s vibrant food ecosystem. But it’s not just about provenance, the vibes here are about creating a shared experience. The tapas-style menu encourages you to gather round, pass plates, and explore the unexpected, from smoky spices to delicate French techniques.
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The Schoolhouse Restaurant
84 Byng St, OrangeRead moreStep inside The Schoolhouse Restaurant, the beating heart of The Union Bank – an iconic heritage space just a block from Orange’s main street. Locals simply call it “The UB,” and it’s easy to see why: the vibe is effortlessly cool, blending a sun-drenched courtyard with an upmarket dining room. Whether you’re here for a lazy lunch, a cocktail-fuelled evening, or a private event, the setting feels both grand and welcoming, making it the perfect stage for exceptional regional dining.
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Read moreSet on 28 acres of serene bushland, Saddles Mount White is a hidden jewel that perfectly balances earthy Australian themes with understated luxury. From saddle-inspired seating to natural timber and stone finishes, the decor speaks of its surrounding environment. Named one of the world’s most beautiful restaurants, Saddles’ paddock-to-plate ethos is bold and reflects the beauty of the Central Coast’s hinterland in every sense.