The Kangaroo Valley is a popular tourist area that is known for its stunning countryside, lush rainforest and notable attractions, which include the likes of Hampden Bridge, Fitzroy Falls and the Pioneer Village Museum.
Its also an area that offers a wide range of diverse eating options.
From heritage listed pubs with quaint courtyards, and trendy cafes that offer house-fermented kombucha, to gourmet delis run by critically acclaimed chefs, and good old fashioned pie shops, the Kangaroo Valley is somewhere you shouldn’t go hungry.
If you are planning to visit this lovely part of the Southern Highlands and are looking for some suggestions of where to eat, these 5 awesome restaurants and cafes in the Kangaroo Valley are well worth checking out.
Hampden Deli, Dining & School
Located on Moss Vale Road, within the Kangaroo Valley, the Hampden Deli, Dining & School is hard to describe.
In various parts its a deli, cafe and wine lounge. But it is also a cooking school and even an occasional restaurant. Needless to say its many different things to many different people. But everyone agrees its a lovely place to visit.
One of the most notable traits Hampden has is that it serves exceptional coffee, with coffee flights even being available too.
The food is of the highest quality here. Not least because the co-owner and chef, Nick Gardner was once awarded the title of Young Chef of the Year in a review by The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.
With everything prepared in-house from scratch – including items that are fermented, brined, pickled and baked – the venue offers a wonderful range of toasted sandwiches, salads, soups and pastries, to satisfy your taste buds.
Their cooking classes include charcuterie and bread-making, while their weekend Wine Lounge is a fabulous place to try a range of international wines and delightful grazing plates.
Address: 4/160 Moss Vale Rd, Kangaroo Valley, NSW, 2577
Kangaroo Valley Pie Shop
Who doesn’t love a good pie?
Well if you want one from the Kangaroo Valley Pie Shop you will have to get in early as they always sell out quick!
The secret to this demand is that all their pies are handmade with love. Which as we all know is a major ingredient for any successful food based business.
Also situated on the Moss Vale Road, this culinary stalwart offers what they call ‘the best pies in the world’ – all of which are renowned for their sensational flaky pastry. These include classics like steak and mushroom and of course the ubiquitous Aussie meat pie. But it also includes others like beef and Guinness and a curried vegetable pie.
Aside from pies they also sell a delicious range of sausage rolls, as well as sweet treats like apple pies and milkshakes. In addition, they stock a wide range of locally produced pantry items like jams ad pickles too.
Tucked away in the mountains, just west of the historic Southern Highlands town of Nowra, the pie shop is set within a charming weatherboard cottage which also has a lovely covered deck.
Address: 2053 Moss Vale Rd, Kangaroo Valley, NSW, 2577
The General Cafe
Another food venue on Moss Vale Road that gets high praise is The General Cafe.
As the name suggests it presents a wide range of items on its menu, which translates to an offering that includes plenty of choice for vegans, as well as those with gluten and dairy free allergies.
A modern and very laid-back venue, they pride themselves on plating honest, hearty and nutritious meals and beverages that often have subtle quirks.
As much as they can, their menu features dishes made with local, fresh and sustainable ingredients. Stand outs include the likes of wok-fried eggs Korean-style, black rice porridge and their sumptuous congee, which is lightly spiced and comes with white kimchi.
They also have a small shop that sells the likes of homemade organic sourdough bread, and small-batch kombucha that is house-fermented, as well as seasonal produce and craft items.
Pet-friendly, the venue also has outside seating on their verandahs, which is a great place to meet the locals.
Address: 51 Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley, NSW, 2577
The Friendly Inn Hotel
For many years, over the years, The Friendly Inn Hotel has been the social hub of the Kangaroo Valley.
Contained within a charming, heritage-listed pub that dates all the way back to 1897, the establishment is one of the oldest in the region.
True to its name, the venue welcomes both families and dogs with equal warmth, many of whom choose to enjoy a meal or beverage around a picnic table in the pub’s beer garden.
There is also a covered playground area for the kids, as well as a petanque court, and often you can listen to live music too.
The food options here have all the usual pub staples including the likes of steaks, burgers, schnitzels and salads. While there are plenty of beers on tap, as well as a range of wines and spirits for you to enjoy too.
Address: 159 Moss Vale Rd, Kangaroo Valley, NSW, 2577
Jing Jo Cafe
You can’t beat a good Thai meal, and at the Jing Jo Cafe this is exactly what they dish up.
A casual-smart Thai eatery that is both very popular with locals, and much loved by visitors, it is not uncommon for them to sell out of a number of dishes on their menu before 7pm!
Curated by Chef Chai, the menu champions local produce, as well as vegetables and herbs that are grown from the restaurant’s abundant kitchen garden.
Their dishes are reasonably priced and heartily portioned, with spring rolls and pad ka pao being a couple of their most popular offerings.
A BYO venue, the Jing Jo Cafe is also known for its delicious desserts which include the likes of lemon meringue pie and sticky date pudding.
Address: 8/160 Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley, NSW, 2577