Whether you’re hankering for a quick pie and coffee stop, a gastro pub feast or a fine dining experience in a winery, Dubbo has got every base covered.

Hear the name Dubbo and you’re likely to conjure up images of the giraffes walking the wilderness of Taronga Western Plains Zoo, or the aircraft of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. What’s less known, perhaps, is that Dubbo is also home to a thriving dining, coffee and craft beer scene.

What’s the best Dubbo restaurant to visit while you’re in town? Circle the following and make a booking (or two) with confidence.

The shortlist

Best coffee: Press
Most Instagrammable: Down the Lane
Fine dining: Cultivate
Best for families: Devil’s Hollow Brewery

1. Press

Known in some circles as ‘Dubbo’s answer to [Sydney’s] The Grounds of Alexandria’, and in others as ‘The crown jewel of Dubbo’s hospitality scene’, you can’t deny Press is pretty hot stuff. Housed in a charming 1930s house in Central Dubbo (the former office of the Land Newspaper), the coffee roastery, cafe, pantry shop and event space threw open its doors in 2015 and has been steadily growing its fanbase ever since.

Get past the throngs of people queuing for takeaway coffee out of the front to nab a table in this gentle, light-filled space and say oui to the likes of a roast pumpkin, feta and quinoa salad with spiced cashews, cucumber, tomato salads and crispy kumara for lunch. Caffeine? Not only can you drink your body weight in liquid gold (It’s hard to say no to their seasonal espresso blend of 70% Columbia Gaitana and 30% Brazil Nossa Snehora), you can buy bags of beans to enjoy at home.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Relaxed brunch crowd

Review: 5/5

Location: 30 Bultje Street, Dubbo

2. Down The Lane

If you like your modern Italian with a strong side of neon signage, premium cocktails and a ridiculously fashion-forward crowd, it’s time to make a beeline for Down the Lane, located right in the heart of town.

The younger sister of celebrated Dubbo eatery Church Street Cafe & Bar, the team at Down the Lane aren’t doing anything shady with spiders (you know what we’re talking about), pouring their magic into the ambience of the space (think garden party vibes) as well as the menu which offers a range of mouthwatering, handmade pizza and pasta options such as the popular baa babe – pizza with lamb ragu, mozzarella, red onion and tzatziki. All toppings and sauces at Down The lane are sourced from local suppliers, helping to keep support where it’s needed.

Headed there for lunch? Be sure to nab a table in the shaded courtyard.

Cuisine: Modern Italian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Electric garden party

Review: 5/5

Location: 215B Macquarie Street, Dubbo

3. Devil’s Hollow Brewery

What do you get when four school friends come back from a holiday in South Africa with a vision to open a hub that draws in and unites craft beer lovers, coffee lovers and food lovers from all over the country? Devil’s Hollow Brewery, Dubbo’s first brewery.

Launched in 2019, Devil’s Hollow Brewery was quickly met with adulation from every age group (including the little ones who can’t get enough of their Little Devils menu featuring the likes of cheeseburgers and chicken tenders for lunch and dinner and pancakes with fruit for breakfast). At breakfast, a steady stream of customers pile in to get mitts on the establishment’s much-loved corn fitters or a classic avo toast, but come at lunch or a dinner and you’ll find the beer garden alive with diners keen to get their fill of woodfired pizzas. Keen for something more? It’s hard to go past the braised lamb shoulder with charred onions, mango chutney, grilled greens and creamy mash. To drink it alongside a beer – perhaps a Nosey Bob Red Ale or a Sandy Beach Belgian Blonde – with a story to tell? It couldn’t be more perfect.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Laidback charm

Review: 5/5

Location: 10 Commercial Avenue, Blueridge Business Park, Dubbo

4. Farmer’s Bakehouse

For those times when it’s less about the art of the long lunch and more about a quick pit stop at a place where the focus is on delivering high quality baked goods in a friendly atmosphere, Farmer’s Bakehouse has got you covered.

Established in 2009 and owned by fourth-generation farmer-turned-baker, Bart Shanks, Farmer’s Bakehouse might be famous for its signature flavour pies, but the team are also masters of handcrafted sourdough breads, cakes, pastries and happily, their full-bodied coffee.  With two locations in east and west Dubbo, you’d be crazy to miss out. You can even pop in for a salad.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $

Atmosphere: Friendly and fast

Review: 5/5

Location: East: 55 Wheelers Lane, Dubbo; West: 38 Victoria Street, Dubbo.

5. Cultivate

Lazy River Estate might be known as the premier wedding and events venue in town, but those in the mood for a romantic date in a spectacular setting are also in luck with Cultivate at Lazy River Estate, an exclusive degustation dining event held only once a week in the Lazy River Estate dining room overlooking the Estate’s vines and manicured grounds.

With Executive Chef Brad Myers at the helm, diners can expect a seasonal menu that changes each month to showcase classic cuisine with a contemporary twist. A shellfish risotto, followed by a chicken wellington and a glazed lamb shoulder, topped with a vanilla and rhubarb pudding Anglaise? It would be rude to say no.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$$

Atmosphere: Sophisticated, with a touch of romance

Review: 5/5

Location: 29R Old Rubbo Road, Dubbo.

6. The Establishment Bar Dubbo

Keen for a little nightcap? Tucked away down the alley beside the Old Gaol, The Establishment Bar Dubbo  – best described as a moody, 1930s-era speakeasy – isn’t the easiest venue to find, but that’s part of what makes the whole experience so special.

Drop in to embrace a world where whisky tasting flights reign supreme (the bar has over 100 varieties on the shelf), or work your way through the lengthy (and creative) menu of crafted cocktails and mocktails, spirits, wine or beer. If you’re really getting into it, you may want to stick around for a show or two. A solid comedy lineup can be found on the bar’s socials so keep your eyes peeled.

Atmosphere: Dark and moody

Review: 5/5

Location: Suite 2, Lv 1, 88 Macquarie Street, Dubbo.

7. Old Bank Restaurant

Gastro pubs are often considered the hearts of regional centres and Old Bank Restaurant can certainly lay claim to that. Located in a heritage building in the centre of Dubbo, you can often hear the laughter and music emanating from Old Bank Restaurant long before you see it, and that’s exactly why you should book a table here.

On cool evenings, be sure to nab a table by the fireplace and say yes to that old-school Parmi or haloumi burger and sit back and enjoy the live music on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. This isn’t a quick stop, so dress for longevity and comfort.

Cuisine: Pub classics

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Fun and lively

Review: 5/5

Location: 232 Macquarie Street, Dubbo.

8. Short Street Store

For such a small following, Short Street Store has a huge following and the adulation fits. After all, who can hate a venue which offers classics like fairy bread (as well as poached eggs on toast) on a kids’ menu?

For adults, it’s all about those much-loved breakfast and brunch items: avo on toast and the brekkie burger, but it’s hard to go past a jaffle – particularly when it’s stuffed with shredded chicken, basil pesto, semi-dry tomatoes and mozzarella. Pop in for lunch and treat yourself to a poke bowl or salad, content in the knowledge that no matter what time you arrive (well, as long as it’s before 12 on weekends), you’ll find service with a smile and excellent coffee.

Cuisine: Brunch classics

Average price: $

Atmosphere: Relaxed charm

Review: 5/5

Location: 11 Short Street, Dubbo.

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