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The Burrows of Penrose · Guest Guide

Eat, Drink
& Sip

Wineries · Restaurants · Pubs of the Southern Highlands

The Southern Highlands is cool-climate wine country, with more than 60 vineyards, century-old village pubs and some of regional NSW's finest kitchens — all within a short drive of your stay. Here are our favourites and the spots worth the trip. Booking ahead is wise, especially on weekends and during festival season.

Wineries & Cellar Doors

Cool-climate country

The Highlands' altitude makes it ideal for elegant Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay. Most cellar doors offer tastings paired with cheese and charcuterie, and several have excellent restaurants attached.

Our Favourite
Bendooley Estate
📍 Berrima · ~25 min from Penrose
A 200-acre estate built around the iconic Berkelouw Book Barn — the restaurant sits among shelves of rare and antiquarian books, with seasonal dishes paired to the Estate's own cool-climate wines. The stone Cellar Door overlooks the vineyard for tastings by day, and the more intimate Leo's by Night offers elevated evening dining.
Our tip Book a long lunch in the Book Barn by the fire, then browse the bookshop afterwards. The Bendooley Larder in Bowral is great for picking up wine and produce to take home.
Centennial Vineyards
📍 Bowral · ~30 min from Penrose
The region's first and only five-star winery, just minutes from Bowral, spanning over 30 hectares of vines. The on-site restaurant offers relaxed lunches and high tea with sweeping vineyard views — glass doors open to a deck in summer, and an enormous fireplace warms the room in winter.
Our tip Start with a flight of their Pinot Noir, the region's signature variety. They host the annual A Day On The Green concert in March.
Tertini Wines
📍 Mittagong · ~30 min from Penrose
A family-owned, high-altitude winery known for premium, elegant cool-climate wines — Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay, plus alternative varieties like Arneis. Named in Gourmet Traveller WINE's Best Cellar Doors every year since 2014.
Our tip The cosy log fire makes this a perfect winter stop. Worth checking opening days before you go.
Artemis Wines & Distillery
📍 Mittagong · ~30 min from Penrose
A lively, family-run winery — the brothers Balog were the first to plant Pinot Noir in the region back in 1996. Expect generous tastings, wood-fired pizzas, cheese and meat platters, weekend entertainment, and their own gins too.
Our tip Dog-friendly and family-friendly — a relaxed spot for a casual afternoon with pizza and a glass of their famous Pinot.
Eling Forest Winery
📍 Sutton Forest · ~20 min from Penrose
One of the oldest wineries in the Highlands, blending tradition with innovation across historic grounds. A charming cellar door with an atmosphere of timeless elegance.
Our tip One of the closer cellar doors to Penrose — easy to combine with a drive through Sutton Forest.
Joadja Estate
📍 High Range · ~30 min from Penrose
The oldest continuous vineyard in the Highlands, run by a young couple in the hills above Berrima. Pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, cabernet and malbec, with each bottle's illustrated label paying tribute to a local town. A heritage homestead provides a beautiful backdrop.
Our tip The owners are often on hand to share their knowledge — a genuinely personal tasting experience.
Dawning Day Estate
📍 Exeter · ~15 min from Penrose
A dreamy boutique, family-run micro-vineyard in nearby Exeter, planted with chardonnay, pinot noir and gamay. Private tastings with the winemaker, plus a designer barn for those wanting to linger.
Our tip One of the closest cellar doors to The Burrows — book a private tasting for something special.
Sally's Corner Wines
📍 Exeter · ~15 min from Penrose
A modern Exeter vineyard known for award-winning cool-climate whites and bold reds, with a contemporary cellar door. Open weekends and public holidays.
Our tip Close to home and quieter than the bigger names — a lovely weekend wander.

Restaurants

From fine dining to long lunch

The Highlands punches well above its weight for dining, from hatted fine dining to relaxed, produce-driven cafés. Many kitchens lean hard on local growers — Robertson potatoes, Moonacres Farm vegetables and Highlands cheeses feature heavily.

Our Favourite
Georges & Fire Kitchen at Osborn House
📍 Bundanoon · ~10 min from Penrose
A beautifully restored 1892 manor turned five-star boutique hotel with two restaurants. Georges is the relaxed option, with terrace views over Morton National Park, a fireplace and seasonal dishes built on local produce. Fire Kitchen brings Latin American live-fire cooking — asado-inspired feasts using regional and South Coast produce.
Our tip The monthly outdoor Fire Feast in the gardens is a real highlight — slow-cooked meats and grilled vegetables from a dramatic fire pit. Book well ahead.
Biota Dining
📍 Bowral · ~30 min from Penrose
Rated among the best restaurants in regional NSW. Chef-owner James Viles guides you through a 5- or 7-course degustation showcasing hyper-local Australian produce in a sun-drenched dining room. The ultimate special-occasion meal in the Highlands.
Our tip For something more casual, its sister venue Bertha's Meats serves up the same quality with a relaxed identity.
Eschalot
📍 Berrima · ~25 min from Penrose
A Highlands highlight for two decades, set in a quaint stone cottage. Chef Matty Roberts' "Feed Me" menu plates up a fine-dining feast, with much of the produce grown on their own property or sourced from nearby growers. Cosy and unpretentious.
Our tip Ask to be seated in the wine room — snug, warm and surrounded by bottles.
Paste Australia
📍 Mittagong · ~30 min from Penrose
The only chef-hatted restaurant in the Southern Highlands, led by internationally acclaimed chef Bee Satongun. Refined Thai cuisine combining fresh regional produce with ancient recipes and innovative technique.
Our tip A standout for adventurous diners — the watermelon salad and curries come highly praised.
Three Blue Ducks
📍 Burradoo · ~30 min from Penrose
Set in a historic stone building with fireplace-warmed rooms buzzing with locals and travellers. Stepping in feels like dining in the elegant country home of a friend — relaxed, produce-led and consistently good.
Our tip A great all-rounder for breakfast, lunch or dinner without needing a special occasion.
Moonacres Kitchen
📍 Robertson · ~25 min from Penrose
In sleepy Robertson, chef Stephen Santucci brings refined flair to a produce-driven café. Breakfast and lunch grounded in organic produce from Moonacres Farm — the charred broccoli sandwich with cashew butter is a cult favourite.
Our tip Combine with the famous Robertson Pie Shop and Robertson Cheese Factory for a full village day out.
Bistro Sociale
📍 Bowral · ~30 min from Penrose
A French-inspired European bistro inside the historic Berida Hotel. Rustic dishes like duck liver parfait, pan-fried spatchcock and big steaks on the grill, with an impeccable drinks list. Open seven days.
Our tip Wander down the corridor afterwards to Aspinals whisky bar for a nightcap.
The Press Shop
📍 Bowral · ~30 min from Penrose
Part printing workshop, part café — the go-to Bowral brunch spot with a farm-to-fork mentality showcasing Southern Highlands produce at its best. Relaxed and reliably excellent.
Our tip Perfect for a leisurely weekend brunch before exploring Bowral's shops.

Pubs & Country Inns

History on tap

Some of these inns have been welcoming travellers for nearly two centuries. Expect roaring fireplaces in winter, beer gardens in summer, and hearty, honest pub food.

Our Favourite
Bundanoon Hotel
📍 Bundanoon · ~10 min from Penrose
The classic local — the closest proper pub to The Burrows and a reliably warm welcome. Honest pub food, fair prices and a good choice on the menu, with the easy charm of a true village hotel right in the heart of Bundanoon.
Our tip The most convenient option for a casual dinner or a quiet pint without driving far. An easy walk if you've wandered into Bundanoon village.
Surveyor General Inn
📍 Berrima · ~25 min from Penrose
Built in 1834 from local convict-hewn sandstone, this is Australia's oldest continuously licensed inn. The Bistro 1834 serves an extensive à la carte menu through the old stone walls and corridors, or out in the beer garden and verandah. The steak sandwich, calamari and sticky chicken wings are local favourites.
Our tip Always packed — book ahead. Live music on some days, and a cosy fireplace in winter. A genuine slice of colonial history.
Briars Inn
📍 Bowral–Moss Vale · ~25 min from Penrose
Built in 1845 and given a chic modern makeover, blending heritage charm with contemporary comfort. A large lawn with lawn games and a kids' playground makes it especially good for families.
Our tip The big lawn is ideal on a sunny day — bring the kids and let them roam while you relax.
The Robertson Pie Shop & Hotel
📍 Robertson · ~25 min from Penrose
The famous Robertson Pie Shop is a Highlands institution and an essential stop for a hearty pie, while the village hotel offers classic country-pub fare in the lush, green hills made famous by the film Babe.
Our tip Grab a pie for the road, then visit the Robertson Cheese Factory just nearby.
Compiled for guests of The Burrows of Penrose · Southern Highlands, NSW
Opening days and hours change seasonally — please book ahead and confirm directly with each venue