Best road trip-worthy restaurants NSW
Published 18 February 2024
Join the Best Restaurants team as we highlight the top 10 road trip-worthy restaurants you should visit in NSW. While Sydney has long been known for its wide selection of top-quality eateries, the food scene has extended far beyond the city in recent years, offering delicious local delights across the entire state. From coastal gems with panoramic seaside views to in-land havens that bring you up close and personal with the bush, New South Wales boasts a diverse culinary landscape that’s ready to be explored. Whether you’re a dedicated foodie or just planning a road trip, these restaurants will be worth the drive.
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Dine in the bush and under the stars at Paperbark Camp’s tree-top dining room. Sundowners are served on the deck overlooking the greenery and in winter the open fire roars. The menu features regional cuisine and draws on seafood from the local area.Read more -
Possibly the world’s most beloved TV chef, Rick Stein’s signature restaurant is a must-visit on a drive along the east coast from Sydney. Serving dishes of fresh local seafood – including pipis in XO sauce, and a fish and a shellfish soup with rouille, parmesan and croutons – it’s a menu really that reflect his vast travels.Read more -
Found in the heart of the Northern Rivers, Bistro Livi was just named the 2024 Regional Restaurant of the Year by the Good Food Guide. Its three co-owners and chefs come from Melbourne’s beloved Movida and Carlton Wine Room, so you know you’re in good hands here.Read more -
Located in beautiful Blackheath, Ates’ Mediterranean menu revolves around the 150-year-old ironbark-filled oven. Order a Mediterranean share plate, house-made ricotta with broad beans and preserved lemon, or the wood-roasted pork neck and relax in the courtyard.Read more -
Renowned for its seafood, pretty Valentina sits beside the inlet in seaside town Merimbula. Light and bright with its huge windows, billowing curtains, cream linens, and a hat from the Good Food Guide, Valentina is a must-visit. The menu changes regularly and could include scallops with beurre blanc and black pepper, and chargrilled scampi with caviar.Read more -
The Lodge, in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, offers a no-fuss, farm-to-table dining experience which calls on local produce including Nimbo trout, caught fresh nearby.Read more -
A place of pilgrimage for the set tasting menu and matched wines, Charred in Orange is one of the most loved and lauded wining and dining experiences in regional NSW. With a Good Food Guide hat, it offers a set menu of six courses with four matching wines.Read more -
Set in bushland in the heart of Mount White, Saddles is a destination restaurant and bakehouse. The menu showcases Australian native ingredients. Order a selection of house-made charcuterie, savoury pastries, salads grown in the kitchen garden and local seafood.Read more -
Chef Ben Devlin is a Byron Bay local who learned his craft at some of the world’s best restaurants, including Noma in Copenhagen. Enjoy local produce from native ingredients and tropical fruits to seafood and meats. The handmade bread and vinegar is a special touch.Read more
