From hearty pub classics in 19th-century pubs to slow-cooked Texan barbeque and traditional pub food, the Mudgee Region’s cosy pub meals will keep you coming back for more. Try these local favourites.
Mudgee is famous for its wine, but its brewing history is equally as long, dating back to 1858. At Mudgee Brewing Company, you can sit down for a taste of history. This microbrewery sits in a century-old building; the same four walls that housed Federal Brewery, the first of its kind in the region. The food menu, serving meaty dishes with their signature Mudgee Mud stout sauce, is just as alluring as the selection of beer. Dine on a Friday or Sunday to listen to live music, or for those with an appetite for the spotlight, opt for Thursday’s open mic night.
An authentic pub experience awaits in the former gold rush town of Gulgong. Welcoming patrons with a friendly smile since 1872, the family behind the Prince of Wales Hotel are veterans of country pub meals, cold beverages and evening entertainment. From the moment you enter, you’ll feel its old-world charm. Pull up a chair on the tartan carpet, noticing the pub’s rustic remnants of the 1800s – think bicycles and old photographs – that decorate the walls and ceilings, and enjoy a delicious cosy dinner, humming to the live music playing in the background.
Innovative craft beers meet drool-worthy Texan barbeque in the heart of Mudgee. Three Tails Brewery and Smokehouse is a place to chill out, play pool, darts or pinball, and chat with friends and family over an epic table of beers and beef. Choose from 21 beers on tap, including the unique Rose Shiraz lager, before a melt-in-your-mouth feast smoked by what Three Tails describes as “Australia’s best-looking smoker”, named the Governor. Walk in and grab a seat indoors or out in the sunlit beer garden.
A Gulgong hangout since 1872, The Centennial Hotel, or ‘The Cenny’, as it’s called by locals, is Gulgong’s oldest operating hotel. While the building certainly belongs to a bygone era, locally sourced ingredients are showcased on the pub’s modern-day food menu. Expect pub classics that pair perfectly with the Cenny’s collection of hot and cold brews. If you’re looking for a cosy pub abundant with character, then the Cenny is right up your alley.
The Woolpack Hotel is like Mudgee’s house of fun: there’s always something going on at this modern-hotel-meets-pub. Located on Market Street in the centre of town, the Woolpack captures the attention of residents and passersby with its weekly line-up of entertainment, events and specials. The hotel’s restaurant, Jumbucks, specialises in Chinese fusion, dishing everything from prawn dumplings to laska and chow mein. A selection of Aussie favourites is also available for those who prefer the Aussie-style classics.
Another pub that almost never stops is Club Mudgee. Over the years, the club has built a name for itself as a lively community hub within the region, often holding events to support local charities and sports groups. Club Mudgee houses a venue that caters to everyone, from a sports bar to an indoor and outdoor kid’s area and two restaurants. Dine at the relaxed 99 on Mortimer Bistro for gastro fare in the restaurant, or watch the sunset from their sun-soaked deck.
No matter what day of the week, it’s best to book in advance to secure a table at the Oriental Hotel – a testament to The Ori Kitchen’s celebrated pub menu and hospitality. The menu is extensive, featuring Australian grass-fed steaks, no-fuss pizzas and homemade desserts. If the long list of wines and beers doesn’t take your fancy, order downstairs at the gin bar, offering 13 varieties.
Discover the historic charm of Kandos at the Kandos Hotel, situated in the town’s oldest commercial building. The newly renovated kitchen offers a menu featuring delicious local ingredients. Serving lunch and dinner daily, as well as light snacks, the Kandos Hotel has something to satisfy everyone.
Open six days a week and offering a seasonal menu, the Bistro at the Rylstone Club features all the classic favourites including salads, burgers, great steak, small meals to cater for families as well as a range of snacks.
