From hearty pub classics in 19th-century pubs to slow-cooked Texan barbeque and traditional pies infused with Guinness, 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.
Traditional Aussie pub grub is served six days a week in the light and bright Paragon Hotel’s bistro, a 10-minute walk from the centre of Mudgee. In the winter months, the bistro’s crackling fireplace will warm you up alongside hearty pub classics: beer bangers and gravy, ribs and rump or pan-fried salmon. Don’t miss the pièce de résistance, aka the dessert menu. Hello, sticky date pudding and chocolate mud cake.
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 courtyard.
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.
Kelly’s, an upbeat hotel in the middle of Mudgee, brings people together for a fun time and a feast. Book a table downstairs to try their succulent beef and Guinness pot pie, juicy lamb cutlets or pale ale-infused battered snapper. While some dishes are inspired by Ireland, the produce served at Kelly’s Irish Pub travels daily from just around the corner at Riverlea Farm. When you’re done wining and dining, head upstairs to Balcony Bar for cocktails overlooking the wide, historic streets of Mudgee.
Discover the beauty of the region within a half-hour drive to the enchanting town of Windeyer. Constructed in 1911, this delightful country pub is a local favourite - and where visitors quickly feel like locals! Nestled within the pub, Food and Farm Dining serves great pub fare, utilising fresh, locally harvested ingredients where possible to craft innovative seasonal chef's specials and classic pub favourites.
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