12 of Australia's best unknown food towns

Kassia Byrnes

Native Content Editor

11 July 2024

7 mins Read

table spread of beer and food at The Haus Restaurant in Handorf South Australia

What’s a getaway without a range of incredible treats for your tastebuds? Foodies, put these small Aussie towns on your bucket list.

When a seachange calls and the busy city feels like too much, a small town getaway is just begging to be booked. But that doesn’t, and shouldn’t, mean you also have to sacrifice your tastebuds. Australia’s best food towns pack a real punch when it comes to new, innovative and just darn tasty flavours to give your tastebuds just as much adventure as you. And they might not be the towns you expected.

1. Denmark, WA

It might be a small town, but Denmark has its fair share of award-winning restaurants. You’ll find it here whether you’re looking for bakeries and fresh coffee or fine dining.

Start with breakfast at local favourite, Mrs. Jones Cafe. Satisfy your taste for craft beer, homegrown wine and satisfying eats at Denmark Brewpub. Spice it up with locally sourced produce turned into unique Fijiian-Indian cuisine at Pepper & Salt Restaurant in Forest Hill Vineyard. Or dine on comforting dishes with lake views at The Lake House Denmark cellar door, restaurant and cafe.

patrons being served at The Lake House Denmark cellar door, restaurant and cafe in Denmark western australia

Dine with a view at The Lake House. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

2. Broome, WA

This little town has a big reputation for its pearling history, but in recent years it’s been doing the most with its food scene, from casual cafes and locally crafted brews and liquors (Matoso’s Mango Beer, anyone?) to farmer’s markets and literally the best dinner views of Cable Beach.

table spread at Matso's brewery in Broome western australia

Try the famous Matoso’s Mango Beer. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

3. Castlemaine, Vic

Move over Daylesford, new chefs and restaurateurs (many who have achieved fame in the big cities) have been making their way to nearby Castlemaine. Discover old favourites – like the classic meals served at Bar Midland and beloved pizzas of Theatre Royal – to new inspirations – like the Italian and French farmhouse meals being served at A Table Bistro – to local makers – like the Love Shack brewery and attached Public Bar And Bistro for all your retro pub grub needs.

patrons sitting at the bar at Love Shack Public Bar And Bistro in Castlemaine Victoria

Grab classic pub grub at Love Shack Public Bar And Bistro. (Image: Visit Victoria)

4. Torquay, Vic

Just about anything your tastebuds desire can be found – to a high standard – in Torquay. Enjoy a local tipple at local breweries and distilleries like Bells Beach Brewing, Blackmans Brewing and Little Big Things Cafe. Or drink in style at Mr Archer Wine Bar. Get something more hearty into your stomach at casual eateries like Little Big Things Cafe, Bob Sugar‘s Asian-fusion or the classic Euro-style sandwiches of Mortadeli. Make it an occasion with the freshly made pasta and killer wine list at Pearl.

Try the squid ink linguine at Pearl Torquay.

5. Mooloolaba, Qld

The rolling waves of Mooloolaba Beach are always hard to resist, but these days their food options are just as enticing. Find our pick of the best casual local eats here, or, for those wanting to elevate the experience, these Mooloolaba restaurants are for you. Once you’ve digested, discover these other things to do while you’re in this Sunshine Coast town.

a hand holding two plates of food at The Velo Project

The crepe menu at The Velo Project is a must-try, any time of day.

6. Maleny, Qld

When it was first established in the 1900s, Maleny was home to a butcher and a pub, and that was about it. These days, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland town is thriving. Named one of Australia’s most welcoming towns, you’ll find quaint places to stay, stunning nature and, of course, incredible eats. The cheese and yoghurt for sale at Maleny Cheese has made a name for itself, which goes well with all the win you can pick up from local vineyards like Clouds and Flame Hill.

For sit-down meals, you’ll find a world of cuisines from Indian to Thai to German to modern Australian and even local Bruhaha Brewery. Taste it all at once by timing your visit with The Curated Plate annual food and wine festival.

beer and food on table at Bruhaha Brewery in maleny queensland

Stop in for a fresh local beer and eats at Bruhaha Brewery. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

7. Alice Springs, NT

Something that the Northern Territory does better than the rest of Australia is modern Australia and traditional bushtucker. In Alice Springs, that means going on a deep dive with a local Arrernte guide on a Cultural Immersion Experience at Standley Chasm Angkerle Atwatye. Or stocking up in Kungkas Can Cook, an Aboriginal-owned-and-run business selling ethically sourced wild bush foods. Saltbush takes contemporary Australian produce and bush food to fine dining levels. There are plenty of other cuisines worth exploring here, too, though.

dish at Saltbush restaurant in alice springs

Taste contemporary Australian produce and bush food at Saltbush. (Image: Tourism NT)

8. Handorf, SA

Nestled in the heart of Adelaide Hills, Handorf provides a unique culinary experience in Australia. As the name hints, Hahndorf is Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement. Leaning into its heritage, Handorf is now one of the best places for an authentic Barvarian feed outside of Germany, itself.

Get your fill at places like Hahndorf Kaffeehaus & Fine Foods, German Spoon and The Haus Restaurant. Of course, you’ll also find just about every other cuisine in this town (Ernest Delicatessen is a local favourite for simple, delightful lunch fare and Vine And Essen is a favourite for creative, tasty dishes), but you’d be foolish to skip the German influences.

Wash down authentic Bavarian fare with a cold beer at The Haus Restaurant. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

9. Wilunga, SA

Heading further south, the Fleurieu Peninsula town of Wilunga packs a punch for your tastebuds. Classic Aussie comfort foods and pub grub galore, but these local restaurants are also doing interesting things to modernise the Australian palette and focus on local produce.

The locally grown and organic produce worked into unique modern Australian dishes (and a beautiful garden setting) at The Farm Willunga has to be one of your first stops. Followed closely by working farm, orchard, garden and restaurant, Papershell. Don’t forget to stock up on fresh, local produce at Wilunga Farmer’s Market.

desserts served at Papershell Farm restaurant Wilunga south australia

Treat yourself to dessert at Papershell Farm. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

10. Bruny Island, Tas

Let’s be honest, the whole of Tasmania could make this list. But Bruny Island stands out for a reason. Chow down on hearty pub grub at Hotel Bruny, taste oysters literally just plucked from the sea at Get Shucked and load up on cheese at the famous Bruny Island Cheese Company. This list barely scratches the surface. Get more foodie inspiration here. And while you’re on the island, why not try these other awesome things to do there.

oysters and wine at Get Shucked bruny island

Get Shucked with fresh oysters on Burny Island. (Image: Tourism Tasmania)

11. Bilpin, NSW

An easy 1.5-hour drive from Sydney, Bilpin has something for every type of foodie – whether you like picking your own produce to whip up yourself at home, or letting top-notch chefs do all the hard work for you. It’s also home to one of the most picturesque drives in the country. Pick your own fruit, nuts and vegetables at places like Pine Crest Orchard, Shields Orchard and Bilpin Springs Orchard. Stop into Lochiel House for hearty European fare, or keep it casual at the vibrant Hillbilly Cider brewery and restaurant.

basket of freshly picked apples at Shields Orchard Bilpin

Get a kick out of picking your own produce. (Image: Destination NSW)

12. Jugiong, NSW

On the banks of the Murrumbidgee River (3.5 hours from Sydney) sits a small town you’ve possibly never heard of, but it’s absolutely worth a long weekend to get your fill. Your first stop has to be at the popular Sir George Restaurant And Bar. It’s a local favourite with cosy seats by the fireplace, sleek decor and a menu showcasing fresh, local and seasonal produce. They also have homewares and pantry items on sale. Another place to stock up is the Long Track Pantry shop and cafe. Find ready-made frozen meals, dressings, jams, chutneys and homemade cakes to take with you, or sit in for brunch and lunch.

table spread of food with front counter in Long Track Pantry shop and cafe

Pick up homemade goodies at Long Track Pantry shop and cafe.

Native Content Editor

Kassia Byrnes

23 Posts

Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's and has been writing about her travels professionally for over 10 years. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days.