In the past few years there has been a bit of a foodie renaissance in New South Wales and New England, and Tamworth stands at the forefront of this boom in great restaurants and excellent dining experiences. Whether you are in the mood for Modern Australian, contemporary European or traditional Asian cuisine, you’ll find something to curb your hunger here.
Fine dining in Tamworth doesn’t get much finer than at Deco Wine Bar and Restaurant. Housed in a beautifully restored heritage building on historic Peel Street, this is a gorgeous spot to try some of the best in Modern Australian cuisine. With its picturesque outdoor terrace and atmospheric, wood-panelled restaurant and bar, Deco offers a seriously good dining experience. Open daily from 7am to 9pm.
The stunning glass-walled architecture of the Glasshouse, set in the historic Goonoo Goonoo sheep station, is pretty breathtaking, and yet the food manages to take it one step beyond. Some of the best cooking it is possible to find in Tamworth, with interesting and alternative twists on modern classics the order of the day. This is one spot not to miss when staying in Tamworth. Open for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 11am, for lunch Friday to Sunday 12pm to 3pm, and for dinner Wednesday to Saturday 5:30pm to 11:30pm.
Set in a beautiful and historic old bank building, the Pig and Tinderbox combines classic pub vibes with a more edgy, contemporary dining experience. The menu is largely based around sharing plates, which never fail to impress, and make this an excellent place for a date night or a romantic meal for two. The open kitchen and trendy decor make this one of the more lively places in town for a bite. Open Monday to Thursday 12pm to midnight, Friday and Saturday 12pm to 1pm, and Sunday 12pm to 10pm.
When thinking of classic French culture and cuisine, Tamworth might not spring to mind. However Le Pruneau is exactly that, a little slice of authentic rustic French tradition, just to the west of the centre of town. There’s an organic market on Saturday mornings, but it is the French countryside cuisine that brings in the locals and tourists, for a genuine taste of La Belle France. Open Monday to Friday from 6:30am to 6pm, and weekends 7:30am to 6pm.
Standing out from the rest of the street with its red walls and giant golden dragon mural, the Dragon Palace is definitely the place to go for succulent, traditional Chinese and Malaysian food when in Tamworth. In business for over 25 years, the Dragon Palace is a mainstay of the Tamworth food scene, and well-loved by locals and visitors alike. Open daily from 12pm to 2pm and 5pm to 9pm.
Sushi first reached Australian shores back in the 1980s, and has been soaring in popularity ever since. In Tamworth, you can get a fresh serving over at Zaya Sushi; a restaurant known for its informal vibe, complete with a conveyor belt to deliver sushi to your table. Simply grab a dish, crack apart your chopsticks and enjoy! Look out for the specials marked on the menu or ask the staff, who are known for their service with a smile, what they’d recommend. Open daily from 11am to 8.30pm.