11 of best places to eat in Hay, NSW, as voted by the locals

By Krista Schade - October 14, 2023 

Finding the best meals in any town requires a great deal of insider information – the best way to find out what is on offer is to ask a local!

The Riverine Grazier asked residents of the Riverina township of Hay where their favourite places to eat are, and which menu items are always at the top of the list.

“Hay is very spoilt for choice,” one local commented. “I don’t think I’ve had a bad meal at any of our local food outlets.”

Here are the very best meals in Hay, NSW right now.

South Hay Hotel

Located in Nailor Street, South Hay, hosts Ben and Marie have rapidly gained a cult following amongst locals and visitors alike.

Known colloquially as ‘South’ the chicken parmigiana received many votes from our readers, while the author has a penchant for the generous serves of crusty, tasty bruschetta.

The barramundi is consistently good and the scotch fillet is always cooked to perfection.

Our survey caused a riot when voters squabbled over which sauce was best at South, in what one responder described as the ‘Battle of the Sauces.’

“The diane sauce at South is the best ever,” one diner wrote, only to be quickly shot down by another; “No it isn’t! The pepper sauce is the best one!”

A third added another favourite to the mix.

“I order anything I can put mushroom sauce on from South Hay. The best mushie sauce in the country!”

The big serve of surf ‘n turf was also mentioned, and the steak will be cooked to your liking every time. Speaking of seafood it may be unusual this far from the ocean, but the prawn cocktail at South Hay Hotel is the perfect entrée for summery weather. The camembert entrée also rated highly.

Insider tip: Give them a call and book a table, especially during school holidays – it gets crazy busy. During colder months the fires are lit inside and out, extending the dining space into the outdoors.

Below: The battle of the sauces is a personal choice at South but the barramundi is highly rated, and the dessert menu equally impressive.

Boys on Lachlan

Hay’s newest café has had a revamp and offers a select menu of pizzas, burgers and fish and chips.

The Kentucky chicken burger is rated very highly by locals, set off deliciously by crisp slaw and peri peri aioli. The American cheese burger is another tasty morsel and from the pizza bar the garlic, bacon and chicken pizza is to die for.

“Boys on Lachlan is a favourite for sure,” one reader voted. “Everything we get there is always delish.”

Insider tip: Boys on Lachlan are only open Thursdays to Sundays, so it pays to get your order in early, before the locals swamp the shop. There is limited space for dining in, but ask the boys about their text service, to let you know when your order is ready to collect.

Below: Boys on Lachlan’s fish and chips and burger options are popular

Jen’s Healthy Junk

This quirky food van is located at the southern end of Lachlan Street, and serves quality café style meals. Jen’s chips were a fast-food favourite amongst locals, who enjoy ‘dining in’ at the picnic tables, or wandering across the road to the park and surrounding riverside reserve ‘Bushy Bend.’

“All Jennie’s food is great,” one voter enthused, “but the chips are amazing!”

Jen also serves up potato cakes (or potato scallops, depending on which state you are from) and is usually open to cater for the public holiday and weekend crowd. Her mouthful of a BLT sandwich also received many nods from locals, and Jen serves up a mean takeaway coffee.

Insider tip: Bushy Bend is dotted with sculptures and interpretative signage, and trails lead visitors under the Hay Bridge, which features beautiful Aboriginal artwork on the bridge pillars on both sides of the Murrumbigee River.

Above: Jen’s Healthy Junk food van is wildly popular on the weekends.

The Riverina Hotel

Located in the centre of town, the Riverina Hotel’s lamb cutlets and surf ‘n turn also received many votes, as did the quality of side dishes.

“(Chef) Kelly’s roast potatoes get my vote,” one responder wrote.

The succulent lamb cutlets at The Riv (as it is known by locals) also received high praise, and the selection of wood fired pizzas is extensive. It pays to give the Riv a call or drop in to check if pizzas are on offer, as this is sometimes only available on weekends.

It’s the perfect opportunity to book a table, enjoy an icy beverage or enjoy a game of pool.

In the tradition of country pubs, the portion sizes are generous and meals can be taken in the dining room, main bar or at the alfresco seating that lines Lachlan Street.

Insider tip: Given its central location The Riv fills quickly during holiday periods, and often the phone is unmanned, so it’s a great idea to call in to the pub earlier in the day to secure your table.

Above : The range of meals at The Riverina Hotel makes the pub a local favourite.

The New Crown Hotel

Also centrally located in Lachlan Street, the New Crown Hotel offers meals and pub-style accommodation, and often hosts weekend DJs in the spacious lounge.

Voters praised the enormous parmi’s, side salads and tender lamb cutlets when we asked for their opinions.

“The Crown’s bruschetta gets my vote,” one local commented, referring to the very popular entrée.

The Crown boasts the best beer garden in town, with large tables on a paved courtyard plus a grassy area, which is great for families with energetic kids. It is sheltered from the elements by high ivy-covered walls, which add to the ambiance.

Insider tip: Don’t miss checking out the Crown’s pet birds in the beer garden, but keep small fingers clear of the galahs and cockatoos!

Kinfolk & Co

Kinfolk & Co is under recent new management and boasts one of the largest dining spaces in Hay.

The café caters to celiacs with gluten free options available, and the range of cakes and cookies makes it a favourite with locals.

“Definitely Kinfolk & Co for coffee, toasties and sweet treats – Rach makes the best cheesecakes,” one voter commented.

The deluxe bacon and egg roll has to be seen to be believed – it includes lashings of bacon, freshly fried egg and a hashbrown.

The coffee is incredible and it’s one of the few places you can still order a spider, that iconic combination of fizzy drink and ice-cream

Insider tip: Kinfolk & Co also houses art by local artist Rebecca Woods, which can either be purchased or admired during your meal.

Left: Cheesecake queen Rachel Butler and barista Talita Stevens.

Garnished the Restaurant at Hay Services Club

When we posed the question to locals about their favourite meal one of the first responses was for the newly opened Garnish the Restaurant.

“The white chocolate and mango cheesecake from Garnished!” one voter cried.

Located within the Hay Services Club precinct in Murray Street Garnished the Restaurant offers fine dining at very reasonable prices.

Their parmigianas are hand crumbed, and the menu changes often, with seasonal offerings such as arancini balls and Caesar salads.

“The salmon and vegetables from Garnished gets my vote,” claimed a reader, “and the kids’ desserts are amazing.”

Insider tip: Hay Services Club offers free camping in a dedicated section of the grounds, just beside a well-equipped gym (day passes are available from the Club)

Below: Garnished the Resaurant offers fine diningoptions at country prices.

Robertson’s Hot Bread Kitchen

Celebrating 40 years in business in 2023 Tim and Jenny Robertson have built up ‘Robbo’s’ to icon status in Hay.

“Whenever I am home, the first place I visit is Robbo’s for a curry pie!”

The variety of pies and sausage rolls on offer is mind-blowing, all baked fresh each night by master baker Tim. There is a range of loaves and rolls and the muffins are so generous they are a meal in themselves.

In winter Robbo’s offers mugs of creamy soups with crusty rolls, while in warmer months you can purchase fresh fruit and yogurt cups.

Caramel tarts from Robbo’s also received an enthusiastic thumbs up.

Insider tip: Thursdays are donut day in Hay, but they sell quickly. Robbo’s is open very early which is ideal for the early bird traveller, but that means they close by 3pm during the week and earlier on Saturday, so don’t delay!

Below: Robbo’s Bakery has evolved into a local tradition over the past 40 years. Pictured are staff Louise Lugsdin, Debbie Woods and Lauren Hicks.

Danny Byrnes Bistro at Hay Bowling Club

At the far northern end of Lachlan Street the Danny Byrnes Bistro offers a massive selection of Chinese and Australian meals. (When we say massive we mean it; there is more than 140 menu items!)

Locals voted the satay chicken as an all-time favourite, as well as the pork chops in Peking sauce. The san choi bao is the perfect size for a small meal or entrée and is bursting with flavour.

The Club and bistro are busy on raffle nights and bowls days, so give the Club a call to enquire about bookings. Otherwise you can opt to take-away, and chefs David and Annie will pack it all up for you with a smile.

Insider tip: You can order and pay for your meals online, which is a great timesaver. The Deck area at the Club is popular and is often a live music venue on weekends.

Below: Hosts at the Danny Byrnes Bistro David and Annie cook up a storm, and have been serving up favourite meals in Hay for many years.

Bishop’s Lodge Restaurant

The newly re-opened Bishop’s Lodge Restaurant offers a concise but delicious menu – our new favourite would have to be the salmon in lemon butter, as our main meal top pick.

There is a range of children’s meals but it is the dessert menu that shines – Pavlova with mixed berry coulis and macadamia cream is one of the best (see left).

For entrée the creamy garlic prawns are our recommendation, and can be upsized to be a great small main meal option.

Insider tip: Bishop’s Lodge is Hay’s premier accommodation, and sits next to the original Bishop’s Lodge Historic House and garden, in South Hay. It is also a great meeting or small conference venue.

Foodie Friends

Foodie Friends is nestled on the corner of Lachlan and Alma Streets and delivers some of the best coffee in Hay, as well as delicious slices and cakes, baked fresh daily.

Our favourite is the Oxley toastie. (All Foodie Friends toasties are named after regional villages). The Oxley is a feast of roasted capsicum, onion and cheese of a piping hot Turkish bun.

In-store you can also buy local honey and family sized quiches and casseroles, and there is a cleverly designed ‘tradie window’ allowing coffee and food orders to be taken from Alma Street.

Dine in options include a couple of tables inside as well as alfresco dining along both Lachlan and Alma Streets. In winter the chairs beside the roaring wood fire are highly sought after.

Insider tip: Foodie Friends shares space with Two Billy Buttons, a charming clothing and gift shop. As your coffee is being brewed or your toasties toasted you should definitely browse the gorgeous range, and tell owner Sarah we sent you!

Below: The interior of Foodie Friends oozes country charm, the outdoor seating is ideal to people watch and staff Iona Lilburne, Felicty Maynard, Sarah Laracy and Leesa Arandt undertaking barista training.

Honorable mentions

Locals also voted for the pizzas at Hay Pizza Bar in Lachlan Street, and the range of ice-creams, lollies and small goods at Hills Corner Store, located across from Hay’s free swimming pool.

Local caterer Jacqui Hargreaves received numerous mentions for her homemade chicken nuggets and family meal delivery service.

Left: Hill’s Corner Store’s Carrie Matthews.