Bowery — Restaurant in Sydney

Located on the corner of Waratah and Lurline Streets in Katoomba, one block off the main street of Katoomba (aptly named Katoomba Street), there is an old church that has a classic country church vibe and appearance. Given it used to be a Presbyterian church, the architecture is simple and basic. A simple green plaque located at the front is the only indication that this building is called something else - Bowery. There's no indication of what 'Bowery' is. This sparks the attention of those who are curious. What could this place be? A little stand behind the glass front doors holding a sample menu is the only indication that something different is here.

For those who are curious, inquisitive and adventurous, take a step inside and wow... Be ready for a surprise.

The entrance foyer area is elegant and classy. Step through another door and behold, this is no longer an old church. Up on the high ceiling spins a multi bladed modern fan to keep the air in the hall fresh. The walls have been painted a teal grey and the decor is true to the name (Bowery). There are bird cages with lights used as light fixtures and there are many bird prints frames on the walls. A piano is located towards the small stage (which you can play if one is so inclined. I did and the staff gave a wonderful round of applause). The decor is beyond words. It is art.

Turn around and the bar simulates and replicates the stained glass windows that are above it. A large espresso coffee machine is located there also.

The staff are super friendly, warm and welcoming. They are happy to take time in mid service to explain what the Bowery restaurant is and what they offer. Bookings are easily done.

You're promptly seated and the tables are altar style and long rectangular, easily seating 8 or more peeps. This is great for group bookings. Also this allows for plenty of table space for all the dishes you're about to order and may like to share. On the table is both still water and sparkling. There is a little table lamp, that creates an intimate and warm atmosphere during dinner sessions, and several of the restaurant cards.

Once you're settled and calmed from admiring the building, explore the menu. There's brunch, lunch and dinner options The menu is a modern Australian flare with international influences. There is chicken rendang Benedict with hollandaise sauce, black rice nssi goreng, flat bread and dips, vegetarian tacos and more. Checkout the dessert section also as you'd definitely want to leave room to try them; including a chocolate fudge cake and a cherry chocolate tart with sorbet. There is a generous drinks menu containing wines, beers, cocktails, mocktails and more.

The menu isn't long, but there are enough enticing options to make you hesitate on what you'd like to order. What a wonderful conundrum. Hmm. This indicates that the focus is on quality and not breadth of choices.

The dishes are true to do this approach. The plating presentation of the dishes is wonderful, complementing and following the artistic approach to the decor. The dishes draw your eyes into them with colour and layering to build a food picture. The fragrance wet your appetite.

The sweetness of the caramelized onions in the hommus dips is wonderful and there is a generous amount of bread for the dips. The black rice nssi goreng had a punchy satay flavour and worked well with the blend of chicken and vegetables on the rice. There were so many ingredients in the tacos!

Complemente your meal with a dessert. Go on. You deserve it and to try it. A wonderful balance of chocolate and gooey fudge of the chocolate fudge cake melts the heart with a relaxing sigh. Same with the chocolate Cherry tart with berry coulis and sorbet; the freshness of the sorbet contrasting the sublime crunch of the tart.

Cocktails, mocktails... Oh wow! Presentation! Flavour! Refreshing! Beyond words.

David, the proprietor and owner, is highly engaging and a wonderful communicator. Conversations are humorous, warm and witty; and more than happy to show your photos of his baby cows on his...

I’m still buzzing from the incredible experience my family and I had at Bowery in the Blue Mountains. What an unbelievable place! I was just casually scrolling through Google, trying to find a decent spot for dinner during our mini getaway, when I stumbled upon Bowery. Honestly, I didn’t think much of it at first – just another restaurant with a few good reviews – but boy, was I wrong. From the moment we walked through the door, I knew we were in for something special, and now I can confidently say this is hands-down my favorite restaurant. Let me tell you why.

Right as we stepped in, the staff greeted us with the warmest smiles, like we were old friends popping by for a meal. We were promptly shown to our table, no awkward waiting around or fumbling with reservations. The amazing service kicked off instantly – they waited on us hand and foot without ever feeling overbearing. It was like they anticipated our every need before we even had to ask. Need a refill on water? Done before I could blink. Curious about a dish? Our server gave us the full rundown with genuine enthusiasm. It’s rare to feel so taken care of, especially in a place as busy as this seemed to be.

Now, let’s talk about the food because, wow, it was nothing short of phenomenal. The menu was priced so reasonably that I had to double-check I wasn’t missing something – most meals were under $40 per person, which is a steal for the quality and quantity you get. When the plates arrived, they were steaming hot, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor. Every bite was delicious, and the portion sizes? Let’s just say not a single person at our table left hungry, which is honestly a miracle when you’re dining out with a group of big eaters like mine. I’m talking well-rounded meals with plenty of sides on the plate, so there was never a boring moment – each forkful had a variety of textures and tastes that kept things exciting. My dish (a hearty lamb shank with mash, roasted veggies and kale) felt like a hug on a plate, and my family raved about their osso bucco, Mac and cheese and fish just as much. For food this good at these prices, I’m genuinely baffled why Bowery doesn’t have the top rating in the area. It’s criminal!

Beyond the food and service, the atmosphere elevated the whole experience to another level. They had a live singer entertaining the crowd, and she was good. Not only did she have a great voice, but she also had some seriously cool talents up her sleeve – at one point, she mimicked the sound of a trumpet with just her mouth, and I swear I thought there was an actual instrument in the room! It was such a unique touch that had everyone at our table grinning and clapping along. The vibe was cozy yet lively, the perfect backdrop for a night out with friends or family. It felt like we were in on some hidden gem that not enough people know about yet.

All in all, I’m giving Bowery a solid 10/10. I’ve been to plenty of restaurants in the Blue Mountains over the years, but none have come close to this. The combination of top-notch service, incredible food at wallet-friendly prices, and entertainment that actually wows you – it’s a rare find. I’m already planning my next visit, and I’m pretty sure my crew feels the same. In fact, I think Bowery might have ruined us for eating anywhere else in the area. Why settle for less when you’ve experienced the best?

If you’re looking for a spot to dine in the Blue Mountains, do yourself a favor and book a table at Bowery. I promise you...

This restaurant is, by far, one of my favourites in Katoomba. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and time at The Bowery. Highlights were: The restaurant is in what was previously a church. With that, the high ceilings and tasteful decor with great reuse of the pews for some of the seats. All of it gives a contemporary grandeur feel to the place. The wait staff were very welcoming, friendly and patient. They were all smiles during the time I was there. They were also attentive to the guests and love the fact that they were also very pleasantly engaging. The coffee was decent and a large sized coffee truly did feel large. This was a really nice welcome as a lot of other cafes i have been to do not usually have large sized coffees like how these guys have made it. More importantly, the coffee tasted good hot and even when it cooled down. Between the chicken rendang benedict and pulled osso bucco, my favourite is on the chicken rendang. It was a really good fusion between Southeast Asian & American flavours. The rendang is more reminiscent of indonesian rendang flavours. For folks who are familiar with Southeast Asian flavours, they may find it on the lighter side the seasoning. Nevertheless, I personally felt it was a good balance of the hollandaise sauce and the rendang seasoning. The pulled osso bucco was paired well with fresh salad and pickles. Some of the pickles can be pretty tart for those who are not used to it. In some ways I could understand the pairing as it cut through the grease from the meat. One thing I did kind of wish was part of the dish was a portion of the marrow as it was what I associated with osso bucco.

All in all, an extremely pleasant dining experience in a very lovely venue. A place that is on my to go back again...