Alpine Larder, Crackenback (Thredbo)

Alpine Larder, Lake Crackenback

The style: Alpine Larder is rustic, warm, cosy and charming. There is a raging fire in the winter, high ceilings, warm timber and beautiful stone walls. If you visit on a snow day, its a great place to sit and eat comfort food while you watch the flakes fall. When the weather is fine, there is some outdoor seating so you can eat in the fresh mountain air. 

The taste: Alpine Larder's menu offers a range of tapas, pasta, burgers and wood fired pizzas. "Gourmet' pizza can sometimes go horribly wrong but the Alpine Larder hit the mark with a great dough and generous, scrumptious toppings. The Alpine Larder supreme was my pick and was perfect. Alpine Larder offers some vegetarian options too.

Pizza at Alpine Larder, Thredbo

The service: The day I visited was super busy in the height of winter but the staff managed to stay polite and delivered the food pretty efficiently considering the number of people they were looking after. Best to call ahead for a reservation especially if you are visiting in peak season.

The price: Prices for lunch ranged from $15-$22 with desserts around the $12-$14 mark.

The location: Alpine Larder is located within the Novotel Lake Crackenback complex off the Alpine way between Jindabyne and Thredbo. Parking is available near Alpine Larder.

Useful links:Alpine Larder menus

The interior at Alpine larder, Thredbo

Namaste Indian Cuisine, Jindabyne, NSW

Lamb chops and onion bhujali, Namaste Indian Cuisine, Jindabyne

The Style: The interior at Namaste is fairly minimalist. There is a curved ceiling with with bench seats along one side of the restaurant then a few tables overlooking the lake. Aside from one picture on the wall, there is none of the usual bright, Indian interior, just white walls and some blue lighting which was a little odd.

The taste: The food was good - not blow your socks off great but everything was nice. The curries were mild but still tasty - the chicken tikka masala was the pick with the lamb korma being a tiny bit bland.  This was the first time I had tried onion bhujali and it was delicious - you could really taste the spices and the sweetness of the onion. The garlic naan was delicous too.

The service: The service was a little lacklustre but that said, there was only one waitress and it was fairly busy so she did her best. She asked when we wanted our mains to come out after entree which was nice but also left me without an entree plate and without clearing my entree cutlery which was on my main plate. Just a little bit more attention to detail and it would have been a better experience (especially considering their website states service as a main priority.)

Chicken tikka masala and Lamb korma, Namaste Indian Cuisine, Jindabyne

The price: We got a banquet which was two entrees, two mains, breads poppadums and pickles for around $25 per head. This was good value considering one of the entrees we chose was priced at $18.90. We never did get our poppadums and pickles but there was so much food that it was still great value for money. I have attached a link to the menu below.

The location: Namaste Indian Cuisine is located in the Old Town Centre, Jindabyne. It is up a fairly steep flight of stairs but there is assistance available for those requiring wheelchair access. The entrance is between Cocina Mexican and a kebab shop - there was a billboard near the door which makes it a bit easier to spot.

Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina, Jindabyne

 

Beef burrito, Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina, Jindabyne

The style: Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina is just what Jindabyne needed - a fresh new place to eat with a great atmosphere. The decor is mex to the max with bright little trinkets everywhere. There are tables both inside and out - if you eat outside, you also get a view of Lake Jindabyne which is a nice bonus.

The taste: I was pleasantly surprised by the food at Cocina - some small town Mexican restaurants seem to offer up a stodgy mess coated in a thick layer of cheese. Cocina managed to avoid this and the dishes were fresh, tasty and had a nice little zing. The nachos were yummy with all of the trimmings.  The burrito was AMAZING with the meat absolutely melt in the mouth delicious. It was one of the best things I have eaten in a long time.  The fish tacos were fresh and tasty although way too small to constitute a main - if you order these, consider a side as well.

Nachos, Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina, Jindabyne

The service: The wait staff were helpful, enthusiastic and able to provide accurate information about the food on the menu. They were timely in taking orders and got everything spot on. The food also came out in good time.

The price: I didn't note down the prices but from memory, the mains were in the $15-20 bracket. 

The location: Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina is located in the Old Town Centre in Jindabyne (off Kosciuszko Road.) The Old Town Centre is the first lot of shops as you come into Jindabyne from Canberra.

Outdoor seating, Cocina Mexican Grill and Cantina, Jindabyne

Useful links:
Cocina Facebook Page

Wild Brumby Schnapps Distillery, Thredbo

Kransky, saurkraut and mustard, Wild Brumby Schnapps Distillery

The style: The Wild Brumby Schnapps Distillery is like a quirky little piece of Bavaria right here in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains. Wild Brumby is part schnapps distillery and restaurant, part art gallery. There are sculptures throughout the gardens which add an interesting side-attraction. It is set in a beautiful valley and sitting outside on a sunny day is heavenly.

The taste: The food here is described as 'continental'. The menu is small and dominated by sausage, schnitzel and  gulasch. The food is nice but the sides are tiny so it can be a little bit difficult to chomp through a giant schnitzel with not much to break it up with. Its a shame because it is delicious but a little bit more generosity with salad and sauce would make the meals a lot more satisfying. There is German beer on tap and the schnapps which is distilled on-site is a must try. 

Wild Brumby Schanpps Distillery

The service: This is one area Wild Brumby really falls flat. I have eaten here a lot and each time, I am shocked by a)how few staff they have, especially at peak tourist times; b) how downright unfriendly some of the staff are (a friend even got hit in the head with a large branch by one who was hell-bent on ignoring us and redecorating around our table right in the middle of a busy lunch period); c) how the staff who are friendly seem to have no idea about the menu. Rant over. Don't be put off, it is still a great place to go, it is just frustrating that somewhere so popular still can't get basic customer service right...

The price: Lunches range from $9 to $20. 

The location: Wild Brumby Schnapps Distillery is located on the Alpine Way between Jindabyne and Thredbo.

Beer with a view, WildBrumby Schnapps Distillery

Useful links:

Wild Brumby website

Sundance Bakery, Nuggets Crossing, Jindabyne

Chunky beef pie, Sundance, Jindabyne

Pies, Sundance, Jindabyne

If you are heading to or from the snowfields and you need a snack to satisfy the appetite, the Sundance Bakery is a good choice for a quick bite. It isn't the healthiest choice and certainly not the place if you want a five- star experience but if you are looking for a tasty snack in casual surrounds, Sundance is the place.


The empty-ish shelves in the pictures are a good indicator that the food at Sundance gets snapped up early, especially in the winter ski season. Everything is baked on the premises daily and not kept overnight. Sundance offers a variety of pies and sausage rolls, sandwiches, tarts, strudel and delicious hot, fresh donuts and loaves of bread. Sundance also do a decent coffee if you are after a bit of caffeine to get you going.

Jam donut, Sundance, Jindabyne

Pies and pastries, Sundance, Jindabyne

Sundance is located at Shop 13, Nuggets Crossing complex, Jindabyne, NSW. It is open from 6am to 6pm.

Latte, Sundance, Jindabyne

Sweet treats, Sundance, Jindabyne

Fresh rolls and wraps, Sundance, Jindabyne

Bacco Italian Restaurant and Bacco Pizzeria, Jindabyne, NSW

Rocket and prosciutto pizza, Bacco, Jindabyne

The Style: Bacco Italian Restaurant in Jindabyne is a cosy, simply furnished restaurant although it does have a pretty eye-catching replica of Michelangelo's 'The Creation of Adam' which dominates the area above the bar. There is warm wood panelling and some coloured glass in the rear windows but other than that, the food does the talking rather than the interior.

Tacky or terrific? Artwork at Bacco Italian Restaurant, Jindabyne

Bacco Italian Restaurant, Jindabyne

The Taste: There are two Baccos - one is a more casual pizza restaurant, the other has a fuller menu. The food comes in portions which are huge - my salad entree could have easily held its own as a main. The food here is laced with lashings of dressing, garlic, salt and other yummy things but in a couple of the dishes it bordered on being a bit too much.


The food is not served in delicate, fussy portions. It is more homely and hearty which bodes well on a cold winter day. Come to Bacco if you are after generous, no fuss food, probably steer clear if you are expecting a flashy meal.

Seafood chowder, Bacco Italian Restaurant, Jindabyne 

Pear and prosciutto salad, Bacco Italian Restaurant, Jindabyne

Marinara Pizza, Bacco Italian Restaurant, Jindabyne.

The Service: The service at Bacco in Jindabyne can be SLOW. On my most recent visit, there were only three occupied tables but we waited almost an hour between courses. The plus was that the waitress came and explained the reason for the delay and offered a complimentary drink while we waited.


The price: Meals at Bacco are priced around $15-$20 for a main course, slightly less for entrees and desserts.

Passionfruit pannacotta, Bacco Italian Restaurant, Jindabyne

Brandy snap basket, Bacco Italian Restaurant, Jindabyne

The Location: Bacco Italian Restaurant and Bacco Pizzeria are located in the Nuggets Crossing complex in Jindabyne. Nuggets Crossing is off Kosciuszko Road, Jindabyne.

Wild Brumby Schnapps Distillery and Cafe, Thredbo, NSW

Wild Brumby Schnapps Distillery and Cafe, Thredbo, NSW

Schnapps, Wild Brumby Schnapps Distillery, Thredbo

The Style: Wild Brumby Schnapps Distillery and Cafe is a one part classy art, one part Alpine Kitsch and a lot of fun! The Distillery is located on a few acres of landscaped grounds. These are scattered with sculptures, polished granite and even the odd fibreglass horse! There are nice touches like the little orchard of pink lady apple trees which are a key ingredient in the schnapps of that flavour as well as potted tulips in the spring time.


Inside, you could be forgiven for thinking you are inside an old style ski lodge but for the huge copper distilling vats which dominate one part of the cafe. And yes, there are even home made pretzels hanging from a deer antler light shade!

Deer antler light shade, Wild Brumby Distillery and Cafe, Thredbo

Wild Brumby Schnapps Distillery, Thredbo

The Taste: Delicious! The menu features a range of European inspired goodies but the pick has to be the German sausages and kraut. They come served with mustard and bread and they are cooked to sizzling, popping perfection. As I cut mine, little beads of fatty flavour oozed out and I can tell you I mopped up every last bit with the bread. (I did make sure to share a little piece with Booza the resident Jack Russell Terrier.) Other continental treats on offer include schnitzel, gulasch and Austrian salad.The Wild Brumby Cafe also offers up sweet treats and has German beer on tap. Breakfast is served from 10am - 12pm and lunch until 5pm.

Sausages and kraut, Wild Brumby Cafe

Icy cold beer on tap, Wild Brumby Cafe

Lemon Cake, Wild Brumby Cafe, Thredbo

Lovely latte, Wild Brumby Cafe, Thredbo

The Service: It was hectic and the staff were clearly rushed off their feet. They weren't bursting with excitement to help but they were efficient and got the job done pretty quickly. When I have visited on quieter days, there has been a lot more help offered so I think they get the benefit of the doubt.

Booza the resident Jack Russell at Wild Brumby

The Location: Wild Brumby is located off the Alpine Way between Thredbo and Jindabyne overlooking the peaks of Kosciuszko National Park's Snowy Mountains. The spectacular views and crisp, fresh mountain air are hard to beat. Take advantage of the outdoor tables in summer and you wont be disappointed!

Wood and stone garden sculptures, Wild Brumby, Thredbo

Lake Eucumbene and Smoked Trout

Moonscape, Frying Pan, Lake Eucumbene

One thing I have fast learned about the Snowy Mountains is that fishing, and in particular, trout fishing, is big business here. Lakes Eucumbene and Jindabyne are full of them and during the season from the October long weekend to the June long weekend, you can also fish for them in the rivers. Lake Jindabyne is easy to access from Jindabyne town centre and Lake Eucumbene is only a short drive from Cooma. There are plenty of spots to try your luck for trout at both lakes and they are also accessible by boat. The Alpine Angler has a regular fishing report available here.

Waiting for trout, Lake Eucumbene

Approaching storm, Lake Eucumbene

Waiting game, trout fishing, Lake Eucumbene

Rising waters, Lake Eucumbene

Now I am no expert on fishing and have NEVER caught a trout. I had my first mountain fishing trip recently and the wind decided it was time to come out and play which scared all of the fish away from my sad lonely hook. Luckily, I know some people who are actually pretty good at snaring them and they came home with some beauties the other day. I couldn't resist sharing the Lake Eucumbene smoked trout in all of its delicious glory so enjoy and if it gets your mouth watering, it might be time to wet a line! (Hopefully with more success than me!)

Fresh caught trout ready to smoke

Smoked trout

Smoked trout, pear and rocket salad

Smoked trout