5 Best Restaurants in Jindabyne

The best restaurants in Jindabyne according to progressivetraveller.com

The Progressive Traveller has produced a list of the 5 Best Restaurants in Jindabyne. We certainly think these restaurants are something worth spruiking about. Takayma Japanese Restaurant makes an appearance on the list, as do several other family friendly Jindabyne establishments – some of them are less known than others.

Eat and Drink

Over the last decade, the Jindabyne food and coffee scene has evolved into an attraction in its own right. Visitors to the Snowy Mountains have their choice between local cuisine and virtually any other type of food that takes their fancy. It is likely that if you love to ski and live anywhere near Sydney or the northern end of New South Wales, you will find yourself in Jindabyne at some point.

During the winter season it is a central hub for all the avid skiers and snowboarders that are drawn to the nearby slopes of Thredbo and Perisher. Summer attracts nature lovers, hikers and bushwalkers.

Snowy Mountains Mountain Plum Pine

Keep a look out for the ‘Mountain Plum Pine’ believed to be the world’s oldest living conifer plant. There is a specimen near Mt Kosciuszko thought to be 175 years old with a trunk diameter of only 6 cm.

Where is Jindabyne?

Jindabyne is 61 km from Cooma and 462 km from Sydney and 991 metres above sea level. It lies below the snowline but is close enough to the Perisher-Blue Cow ski runs. Located on Lake Jindabyne, this otherwise quiet town comes alive between May and October every year, due to its close proximity to the Kosciusko National Park. Within the national park are two of the best and biggest ski resorts in the country (Thredbo and Perisher) and both are found on the tallest mountain in the Australia.

But if you do find yourself in this town then food options can be quite limited. There is one grocery store, Woolworths in the town centre but otherwise you will need to take an hour and a half drive to Cooma to buy your own food, that is if you prefer to shop at Aldi or Coles. 

This is why Jindabyne has so many amazing restaurants on offer. Most people find that, especially if you are providing for a family at the end of a long day on the slopes, eating in a Jindabyne restaurant is the easier option.

Here we will explore five of your best options if you wish to eat out during your winter vacation in Jindabyne.

1. Lake Jindabyne Hotel

Firstly, there is the Lake Jindabyne Hotel. It is especially popular with the locals and staff for the season, due to their regular meal deals. But do not let this deter you, their food is amazing! They do not stray too far from pub food, but what they offer is a highly refined version which will have your mouth watering as soon as you walk into the bistro. The food menu includes pub classics, grills, salads, light meals, snacks and $10 kids meals. The restaurant prices are not too high, and it is quite reasonable for families to dine here also.

There is gaming machines for the kids as well as pool tables and outdoor playgrounds to keep everyone amused. They have two bars and one kitchen at the main entrance where you can order your meal. It is recommended that you get to the Jindy Inn a little earlier than usual as it is not uncommon for the line to stretch around the entire venue.

It is open for both lunch and dinner, but dinner is by far the busiest time of day. The décor is modern and inviting plus you have the choice of sitting outside in the cool evening air which can be quite chilly during winter. All in all, it is a great choice if you are feeling hungry and do not know what exactly you are looking for. From burger to steaks, from pasta to appetisers, they have something to fulfil your raging hunger.

Address: 21 McLure Circuit, Jindabyne NSW

2. Beach Burrito Co. Jindabyne

For Californian style Mexican, look no further than Beach Burrito Co. It is located in the top of the old centre of town on the way into Jindabyne from Cooma. Up one flight of long stairs you will find this Jindabyne restaurant with some unique features you will not find anywhere else in the town. They have a range of tacos to choose from, including fish and pulled pork versions, but they are all completely customisable. Seasonal dishes keep the menu fresh, alongside a thoughtfully crafted beverage list, offering everything from piña coladas to buckets of beers and delicious sweet sangrias.

Along with most of the Jindabyne restaurants here, Beach Burrito also has a few special nights in the week where it will be not only more affordable, but much busier than usual. Dinner is best at around 6pm, as the night wears on it gets filled up until the small number of tables are completely booked out. You can book in advance if you wish but getting to the venue early is your best option.

There are also a wide range of cocktails which are available at the bar for you to indulge in. Luckily, as most Jindabyne hotels and accommodation are within a brief walk from the main street, you can have a few drinks as it is likely you will not need to drive until the morning! But do ensure that you drink responsibly so you can make it to the snow fields safely the next day.

One appetiser which is certainly recommended and a favourite among patrons is the stuffed jalapenos, which are deseeded and stuffed with cream cheese before they are grilled and served to your table. You will be hard pressed to find anything like it, even if you ended up in Mexico. The kids will love the variety of food in the venue and it can be assumed that there is definitely something for everyone. The prices are fairly cheap in comparison to a lot of other locations around the town as well, which is why most nights it is filled with winter seasonal staff too.

Address: 2^nd Floor, Shop 5, 3 Kosciuszko Road, Jindabyne NSW

3. Birchwood Café

For a bite to eat and a great coffee during the day, then you will likely want to go to Birchwood Cafe. This is a fairly new addition to Jindabyne, but already it has gained significant traction with the locals. You will be surrounded by some amazing artwork and stunning neutral décor which blankets the inside of the venue. It is not only a great place to be, but the food is quite exquisite as well. This contemporary Australian style café is funky and serving up wholesome dishes in Jindabyne, NSW at the base of the snowy mountains.

There are some well-designed dishes for your late breakfast or lunchtime meals to accompany the coffee that can be made exactly to your liking by highly able baristas. The pricing is slightly higher than for any other cafe in the same area, but once you try the food you will certainly see why. The meals will say it all. They are also able to easily cater for any vegetarian diet and the friendly staff will be happy to speak with you in regard to any other food allergy or dietary requirement you need accounted for.

The breakfast burrito is highly praised and certainly a winner amongst most who attend. But there are also a range of salads and starters that will suit any other craving you may have. There are not many heavier meals but for a light bite or an afternoon snack they are definitely a go to.

Address: 3/3 Gippsland Street, Jindabyne NSW

4. Burger Biz Jindabyne

In contrast, Burger Biz down the road is quite the opposite. This quirky burger joint has been a hit with everyone who eats here and often has lines out of the door! There is limited seating, so you may wish to order online a takeaway meal or have your meal delivered to your accommodation.

They have a huge range of American style burgers, hotdogs, loaded fries, smoked meats, super thick shakes or match your burger with one of the best USA beers. You will find many testaments to the deliciousness of the burgers on their TripAdvisor page, but for the real deal you need to attend yourself.

The burgers are large, but there are also versions for the kids. One of the best sides to order by far is the mac and cheese fries, which contains thinly cut fries, layered with several cheeses and macaroni pasta. It may not be an everyday meal, but something that you must try while in Jindabyne! It sometimes can take a while to get your food especially when busy, but you are assured that it is straight off the grill and hot when you receive it. The meals are completely reasonable and affordable and for what you get there is no comparison.

Every bite is a little bit of heaven and every meal is cooked to perfection at Burger Biz. There is nothing better than a good feed after a day up at Thredbo or Perisher.

Address: 9 / 2 Snowy River Avenue, Jindabyne NSW (On Gippsland Ave)

5. Takayama Restaurant Bar

One thing you do not expect in a small Australian town is a sushi bar, but yet again Jindabyne delivers. Takayama is a delectable Japanese restaurant and bar behind the Woolworths on a small stretch of road. It not only provides amazing and high-quality Japanese cuisine but also boasts a wide range of region-specific alcohols, such as Sake and other Japanese spirits. They can also create many signature cocktails and basically anything with lychee incorporated is a winner!

They do also have limited seating like most places in this tiny, rural town and due to their popularity booking is an absolute must! The kids can enjoy some of Japan’s fried delicacies while you can dine on some elegant sushi rolls or seared scallops, which cannot be surpassed. The waitstaff are attentive and all around lovely, so you will be well taken care of during your dining experience. In line with the other Asian restaurants offered, Takayama is certainly up there when it comes to eastern dining. You will be hard pressed to find anywhere better, especially in the Asian market in the area.

Address: Nuggets Crossing Shopping Centre, Snowy River Avenue, Jindabyne, NSW

From Japanese to burgers, pub feeds to Mexican extravaganzas, Jindabyne has you covered every which way. During the winter season many places explode population wise and the numerous restaurants have to account for that while also competing with each other. That being said, if you choose any of the above Jindabyne Restaurants, it is best to call in advance to secure a table so that you will not be disappointed. Wherever you decide to dine, whether you are a family, couple or single, you will be amazed at the quality, diversity and service that Jindabyne has in the way of food.

Jindabyne Distilleries and Breweries

 In the depths of the NSW Snowy Mountains is the small town of Jindabyne. This beautiful Australian town is surrounded by snowfields, breathtaking Lake Jindabyne and award-winning breweries and distilleries. For more information and location details on the best places to have a drink, check out Jindabyne Top 3 Breweries and Distilleries blog here.