Tempus Katoomba

This is a great little central cafe. The coffee was very smooth tasting decently priced. I also got the Reuben toasty and that was delicious very well balanced mostly inside seating but there is a small amount of outside seating service was also simple and nice.

Food was fantastic, especially the vegetarian options. We loved the zucchini and pea fritter and the Middle Eastern bowl - it was sold out the first time we visited around noon, so yes, we went back a second time to try it. The children enjoyed the kimchi toastie. Portions were just right for one person. Coffee quality varied across our two visits, but the service was consistently great. They seated us promptly even during a busy lunch period, and we noticed a queue forming while we were dining. The décor and washrooms are also well done, which adds to the overall appeal of the place.

We had high expectations heading into Tempus—especially given the price point (over $200 for two, without sides included)—but the experience felt uneven and ultimately didn’t quite meet the mark. Drinks • Watermelon & Basil Sour: Unfortunately overly sour and not well balanced. The use of powdered basil instead of fresh basil leaf was noticeable and took away from the drink’s brightness. • Beetroot Sour: Also heavily sour-forward, without much detectable sweetness or earthiness from the beetroot. Beef Tongue Skewer A highlight. Cooked nicely and quite tender. With just a touch more seasoning, this could have been exceptional. Chargrilled Baby Gem Two very large baby gem lettuce heads, lightly charred and topped with an excessive amount of macadamia nuts. The flavour felt one-note. A bit more charring would have helped—ours remained a bit wet in the centre—and some acidity (pomegranate, citrus, or a bright dressing) would have elevated the dish and balanced all the richness. Snapper Fillet Fresh, seared well, and served over fennel. Nicely prepared but not particularly memorable. Duck Breast Served with a cherry and wine reduction. The meat was slightly overcooked for my taste, possibly due to the scoring being cut too deeply before searing. Flavours were pleasant but execution missed the mark. Dessert – Atayef A creative and enjoyable end to the meal. Shaped like a madeleine and topped with cashew cream, raspberry, pistachio, and orange blossom. Unique, aromatic, and well-balanced with tart notes cutting through the sweetness. Service Friendly, but largely absent. No one checked in on us during the meal, which would have made a meaningful difference—especially at this price point. Overall Tempus shows potential, with some clever ideas and a few well-executed dishes, but the experience lacked consistency. Given the cost—and considering places like Avalon offer a more refined experience at a lower price—we left wishing the flavours, execution, and service had matched the ambition.

Highly recommend this restaurant for a lovely quiet lunch in Katoomba. The staff were friendly and attentive. They welcome children. The Ox tongue was phenomenal. Can't wait to go back!

Absolutely delicious food, nice ambience and exceptional service. We ordered the haloumi, duck, lamb and some sides, all cooked to perfection! Our waiter was very well versed on helping create a balanced sharing meal and i honestly wouldnt fault any if it. For a drink I would recommend the non-alcoholic watermelon and basil cocktail for a refreshing and slightly zingy pallete cleanser.