Regional New South Wales’ Best Restaurants 2015

Subo

Subo is the jewel of Newcastle’s increasingly impressive dining scene. The room is polished, modern and tidy, the service team works the floor with finesse, the wine options are top-end and the kitchen, led by chef Beau Vincent, displays great skill.

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Biota Dining

With a name like Biota, it’s no surprise this very modern country restaurant sources produce from within its own picturesque grounds.

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Town

What a happy place this is. With the bright paintings and colourful cord flexes on the pendant lights and the geniality of the welcome, it’s easy to think you’ve stumbled into a cheerful café…

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Flooded Gums

A fine scallop boudin blanc paired with charred squid and a saffron-tinged aïoli gets things off to an impressive start at this clubby dining room on the 18th hole of one of Australia’s superior

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Restaurant Mason

Chef Chris Thornton cut his teeth among Michelin stars, which is evident in the small, focused and confident menu at this bright but elegant restaurant.

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Tomah Gardens

Under a canopy of vine, the restaurant at the botanic gardens at Mount Tomah is one of the few Blue Mountains venues that holds as much appeal in summer as it does in the mists of winter.

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Zanzibar Café

The ochre-toned, wood-panelled dining space matches the somewhat retro name, and views are limited to the local amusement parlour and pizza joint. Fortunately, there’s loads of harbour-city inspiration in the kitchen.

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Manfredi at Bells

The upmarket beach-house feel – blue and white trim, lots of wood and open glass doors leading to a wide, covered deck – sets the mood for a relaxed meal, as do the pleasant and obliging (if slightly uninformed) wait-staff…

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Darley’s

Perched on a ledge near Echo Point, and looking down the valley to Lake Burragorang, this heritage-listed former homestead is the epitome of hushed, special-occasion dining.

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Caveau

There’s nothing small-town about this Wollongong find. It’s strictly A-game from the start.

Read our full review of Caveau