While Sydney may host the most celebrated restaurants, there’s gourmet goodness to tempt the palate right throughout regional NSW. Our vast, diverse state boasts an abundance of food-producing zones, where farm-to-table restaurants plate up freshly plucked wares.
From fertile agricultural plains to quaint country towns and verdant wine-growing hills, we’re covering the best foodie regions in NSW.
Byron Shire
There’s more to Byron than celebrity fanfare and barrelling surf breaks. This iconic seaside town is home to some of the East Coast’s best eats, from eco-conscious resort restaurants to chic brunch-friendly cafes.
Farm-to-table aficionados can tuck into zero-kilometre tucker at stalwarts like The Farm or Harvest Newrybar. For country town dining (and a spot of bric-a-brac shopping), try the cute little town of Bangalow. Don’t pass on the local cold brew coffee.
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The Tweed Shire
Straddling the Queensland border, this bountiful agricultural region pumps out world-class edible treats. Most of the good stuff is grown in the Tweed Hinterlands, where fertile farmlands take advantage of its rich volcanic soil.
The elegant Tweed River House does some of the best paddock-to-plate dining in the state. If you’re itching for a cheeky tipple, swing by Husk Distillery to sip sugar cane rum or the transformative Ink Gin.
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Hunter Valley
NSW’s premier wine-growing region is a hit for its award-winning Semillon and rich, bold reds. Beyond the vineyards, you’ll find a burgeoning culinary scene servicing the wine-sipping weekend crowd.
The central hub of Pokolbin has the highest concentration of gourmet fare. Here, fine dining digs like Muse Restaurant do acclaimed Mod-Oz cuisine. Come during the Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival (May-June) to find the perfect pairing.
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Orange
Up-and-coming Orange is turning heads on the NSW wine scene. Most of its 80+ cool-climate vineyards sit at about 1,000 metres and draw nutrients from Mt Canobolas’ rich volcanic soil. The result? Sensational full-flavoured Shiraz with hints of cherry, chocolate and plum.
Complement your wine-gulping adventures with top-notch nosh from one of the town’s esteemed local restaurants. Lolli Redini does refined French-Italian fare, while Racine Restaurant is your best bet for fresh bakery treats.
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Mudgee
Mainstay Mudgee has a venue for every craving: wineries, distilleries, breweries, restaurants, cafes, and more. A former mining town, this ever-evolving Central West settlement is now country NSW’s top foodie haven.
Hit the chef-hatted Zin House for an upmarket treat or nibble creamy brie at the High Valley Wine and Cheese Co. Baker Williams Distillery does the best rum and gin in town, while De Beaurepaire Wines and Gooree Park Wines serve superb cool-climate drops.
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Southern Highlands
South of Sydney, this bountiful region produces a smorgasbord of food. From goat’s milk to Angus beef and saddleback pigs to olive oil, hardy Southern Highland farmers make it all. Devour seasonal local produce at upmarket foodie favourites like Birch, Horden’s, and Eschalot. Try Elephant Boy Café and Lil Piggy for something more low-key.
The region is home to 60 divine cool-climate wineries, so there’s always a crisp local white to sip on. Don’t drive past the Robertson Pie Shop without stopping to snack on their legendary Beef Burgundy pie.
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See the Best Foodie Regions in NSW with Kiff & Culture
Keen to explore the finest culinary hotspots in the Northern Rivers?
Then take a peek at our taste bud-tantalising Tweed Valley and Byron Bay tours. We’ll whisk you between a handpicked ensemble of the region’s top gastronomic haunts in one action-packed afternoon.
