Alby & Esthers

It's easy to miss Alby & Esthers, which is hidden away up an alleyway off Mudgee's Market Street. But you won't want to, as this is one of the best spots in town for coffee. The beautiful grapevine-covered courtyard is the perfect spot to start your day with an artisan coffee, their famous Esthers jaffle or the Alby's breakfast.

Alby & Esters, Mudgee

Eltons Bar + Bites

Also known as Eltons Eating + Drinking, this cafe and restaurant serves up delicious food all day, and in the evenings on weekends. Set inside the original Eltons Pharmacy building, which dates back to 1896, you can choose to dine at the main bar or in the open-air courtyard. Enjoy brunch classics throughout the day and delicious share plates in the evening, accompanied by Mudgee wines and Australian craft beers on tap. 

Eltons Bar + Bites, Mudgee

Roth's Wine Bar and Cellar

Operating since 1923, Roth's is one of NSW's oldest wine bars. This is a great spot to try local wines, with over 100 available by the glass or bottle. To accompany the wine, try one of the wood-fired pizzas or dine on delicious gastro pub-inspired share plates, and visit on a Friday or Saturday night for live music. Old-timey furnishings give the quirky venue a charmingly rustic vibe, and craft beer is also available for those wanting a break from the grapes. 

Roth's Wine Bar and Cellar, Mudgee - Credit: Amber Hooper | Mudgee Region

Mudgee Fine Foods Farmers Market

Sample some of the region’s great produce, direct from the farmers, growers and makers at the Mudgee Fine Foods Farmers Market. On the third Saturday of the month (come rain, hail or shine), the markets take place in Robertson Park. Listen to local musicians play as you browse the great range of goods – all products on sale have been grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled, baked, smoked or processed by the stallholders themselves. The park is also the location of the monthly Makers Market, where you can find fresh produce, art, jewellery, clothing and craftwork from locals. 

Mudgee Fine Foods Farmers' Markets, Mudgee - Credit: Amber Creative | Mudgee Fine Foods Inc.

Pipeclay Pumphouse

Indulge in fine dining at Pipeclay Pumphouse, part of Stein Winery. The restaurant follows a paddock-to-plate philosophy, using homegrown and locally sourced produce. Think heirloom beetroot carpaccio with ricotta and carrot; mussel mariniere with house-made bread; and braised lamb shoulder with pumpkin and parsnip. Pair the degustation menu with some of the winery's excellent wines and enjoy the beautiful surroundings while you dine.

Pipeclay Pumphouse, Mudgee

29 Nine 99

Head to the tiny village of Rylstone for authentic Chinese yum cha and tea at 29 Nine 99. Here you can try more than 30 types of dumplings, steamed buns and desserts, as well as purchase frozen dumplings to take home with you. Dine outdoors in the courtyard or inside while admiring the original Chinese artworks, scarves and jewellery on display.  

29 Nine 99 Yum Cha and Tea House, Rylstone

Warakirri Dining 

Learn about Aboriginal culture, traditions and food on a five-course degustation dining experience with Warakirri Dining. Over four hours, you'll enjoy Australian native foods, botanicals and native beverages, prepared in both modern techniques and traditional methods. Aboriginal music, entertainment and storytelling accompany the food, along with in-depth explanations from owner and Ngemba Weilwan woman, Sharon Winsor. 

Warakirri Dining Experience, Buckaroo - Credit: Indigiearth

Zin Food + Wine

Hatted restaurant Zin House has been revamped and is now Zin Food + Wine. It retains the core principles but takes a more relaxed approach, with communal seating, a condensed grazing-style menu and an informal vibe. All dishes are designed to be shared and will reflect what's in season in the kitchen garden and surrounding region. Your meal includes three paired wine tastings, then you can order a glass or bottle of your favourite to continue.

Zin Food and Wine House, Eurunderee - Credit: Monique Lovick

Mudgee Wine + Food Month

Each September, Mudgee celebrates its produce with a fantastic food and wine festival. Running for more than 40 years, the annual fiesta features an exciting line-up of events including wine tastings and masterclasses, special lunches and dinners, markets, trivia, live music and tours. 

Mudgee Wine + Food Month in 2018, Mudgee

Gigi's Restaurant

Warm hospitality, authentic Italian dishes and farm-to-table produce await at Gigi's. Set inside the stylish Clairfield Hotel, the beautiful dining room is matched by the artful creations on your plate. Start the day with breakfast – perhaps cured salmon with pickled beets and broad bean salsa, coconut rice pudding, or cauliflower fritters with almond puree and fennel. Return for dinner, where the share-style menu features handmade pasta, braised beef cheeks and twice-cooked chicken.

Gigi's Restaurant, Mudgee - Credit: Alan Jensen