The Blue Mountains is famous for its art deco style and heritage vibes but there are a slew of modern new eateries and drinking dens worth seeking out on your next mountain escape.
Baden Evans is co-owner of Tempus Katoomba, a modern restaurant pairing local seasonal produce with an all-Australian drinks list. The team create meals, which speak to the seasons designed to share with good company. By day, swing by before noon for Tempus Up Early a bright, buzzy café and espresso bar before it morphs into sophisticated sips by night.
Whether day or night, The Tempus ethos is all around sustainability, place and community. Here, Baden shares what he loves most about his community:
alluxia: What do you love most about living in the Blue Mountains?
Baden: It’s hard to go past the incredible lifestyle of living in the Blue Mountains. It’s such a restful place with such a warm and welcoming community. The abundance of incredible places to eat and drink, as well as the natural beauty of the place make it pretty easy to live here as well. And there are not many other places in the world where you can walk to the end of almost any street and find a spectacular lookout for a sunset picnic or morning coffee and that to me is pretty special as well.
The best breakfast spot is...
A take away coffee and freshly baked pastry from Black Cockatoo Bakery, eaten somewhere on a cliff top is pretty hard to go past, however if you’re looking for a sit down breakfast there’s an abundance of options in every town. Pomegranate or Frankly, My Dear Coffee are two of my Katoomba favourites.
The restaurant that best shows off your region...
The immediate temptation is obviously to say Tempus but that doesn’t quite feel within the spirit of the article, so coming in at a close second would have to be Ates in Blackheath. The team behind the restaurant have been a driving force behind the development and enhancement of the Blue Mountains food scene for years, and the building within which they operate has been home to a number of the regions best restaurants over the years. Their food is seasonal and well considered and the experience of dining there is always a pleasure.
When friends are in town I take them for a drink at...
There are so many good watering holes in the Blue Mountains but it’s hard to go past a good local pub. My go to when friends come to town is a beer out the back of the Alex Hotel in Leura. It’s a beautiful old pub and it’s got great views out over Leura and towards the valley so it’s pretty hard to go wrong, not to mention they have Reschs on tap.
Couples wanting a romantic dinner for two should consider...
A cocktail and a cheeseboard at Elysian Restaurant & Bar is hard to go past for a romantic evening. They’ve got a very extensive cocktail list as well as some cracking local wines, not to mention their view out over the valley! If you’re after something more elegant, Mr Collins of Leura might be the place to go. They’re a brasserie style fine diner; so expect white tablecloths and that old school service that only comes from years of perfecting your craft.
For the perfect gift or memento, I'd recommend shopping at...
Fire & Flood in Wentworth Falls is an incredible local store showcasing art, clothing and wares from a number of local makers. It’s a beautiful and welcoming space which is highly curated by the amazing women who own it, all of whom have studios on site where they create works to sell in the store. It’s a fantastic place to discover some of the magic being created by the talented makers of the region.
The best coffee can be found at...
Tempus Up Early of course!
The best markets can be explored at...
Blackheath Farmers Markets are a must! They are on once a month and definitely worth a visit if they are on while you’re in town. There’s always an incredible array of produce from some of the regions best producers.
For great art and culture...
Blue Mountains Cultural Centre is right in the heart of town and has rolling calendar of world-class art exhibitions that are well worth a visit. It also has some pretty spectacular views of town.
The best free activity in the region is...
Getting out into the bush. There are endless trails to explore, wonderful lookouts and hidden creeks and waterfalls.
If it's raining...
My go to on a rainy day is a long lazy brunch, then spending a few hours exploring the many antiques stores and retail spots in the area.
What's the "Must See" attraction in your region...
At the danger of sounding a little basic, a trip to the Blue Mountains really isn’t complete without visiting the Three Sisters. It can be quite crowded at times, so I would recommend visiting early, or going at night after dinner to see it all lit up!
Our region’s best kept secret...
In a place as magical as this, it’s hard to narrow down just the one! My recommendation for finding somewhere that feels like a little secret all of your own is to explore some of the less popular trails, they’ll be much less busy but the views are just as good!
Tempted to visit Katoomba and the Blue Mountains? Book a table at Tempus on your next Blue Mountains getaway.
