Milton has always been pretty. Like, really pretty. It’s on the ridgeline between Yuin and Tharawal Country, on the South Coast, just a three-hour car ride from Sydney.

In 1859, farmer John Booth set it up as a hub for dairy and timber. Much of the heritage architecture from the 19th century has survived – the Star Hotel has been pulling schooies since 1860 – giving the location a quaint lost-in-time kind of vibe.

But in the past few years this coastal charmer’s graduated from a place to stop – for a spot of shopping and maybe a piece of cake – to a real-deal dining destination. It’s a little far for a daytrip, but here are five of our faves that are each worth taking a weekend trip for.

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Nomah

The newest addition to Milton’s bustling food scene is Nomah, a Middle Eastern-style diner that serves big and small plates – perfect for sharing. First established as a food truck by Hamon Shephard and his partner Sky Hession, Nomah recently graduated to its own dining room, right next door to Delly’s.

Crisp felafel, made from freshly soaked chickpeas and dark-green with parsley, arrive on a bed of lemon tahini, amba (mango pickle) and sumac onions. The baba ghanoush is the standout in a trio of dips, garnished with Aleppo chilli and pomegranate. Larger dishes include chicken shish – grilled with toum, guidillas and harrisa – and a hummus lamb kawarma dusted with seven spice and pine nuts.

It’s BYO only, so it’s a good thing that Small Town Provisions is just around the corner, where there’s a huge selection of small-batch and natural wines.

6/41 Wason Street, Milton
nomah.com.au
@nomah_milton

Hours : Wed to Sun 5.30pm–9pm

Delly’s Really Good Sandwiches

Inspired by NY-style sandwicheries – a la Katz’s Deli – Jo Thomas and Alex Delly’s really good sandwich shop makes – surprise! – really good sandwiches. Everyday there’s a selection of eight hoagies, built with cold-cuts direct from LP’s Quality Meats, and pickles are made in-house. The hot roast beef sanga comes stacked with gravy, onions and stretchy mozzarella. The chicken and tarragon serve is dressed up with fennel jam and rocket. Our rec? The primo tuna melt, topped with celery, peppers and cheese. Filter coffee and doughnuts are also available.

4/41 Wason Street, Milton
@dellysmilton

Hours: Wed to Sat 10am–3pm

Milk Haus

One of Milton’s OGs, Milk Haus was founded by Danielle McKeon in an old-fashioned cheese factory back in 2014. New owners Kitty Stidwill and Nat Taylor continue her wholefood tradition, sourcing much of their produce from the kitchen garden set in the rolling hills.

Spectacular (and thoughtful) dishes include ribboned crepes with chai-spiced poached pears, citrusy maple syrup and whipped mascarpone. And a 15-hour herbed potato with green olive and meyer lemon gremolata with poached eggs and wilted garlic greens.

The latest addition to Milk Haus, though, is the ability to stay in the classic on-site farmhouse – which has a view over the dairy farms and the misty Budawangs beyond.

170 Woodstock Road, Woodstock
milkhaus.com.au
@milkhausmilton

Hours : Thu to Mon 8.30am–2.30pm

Small Town Provisions

If you’re heading further down the coast, Small Town Provisions is the southernmost point between here and Brunswick East to refill your hamper with natural wine and odiferous cheese. All the necessary elements for an A1 picnic are on sale here, including Ortiz anchovies and baguettes, Le Dauphin and Maffra cloth-ashed cheddar. Plus local bottles from Carto in Foxground (an hour away), Aristotelis ke Anthoula in Pambula, as well as Wollongong’s own Benson & the Mooch.

There’s no reason to leave the store, though, because there’s always more than a few bottles open and a short, sharp bar menu (from head chef Sean McCarthy) that might include Clyde River oysters and tater gems topped with taramasalata and caviar. You may be in a small town, but the flavours here are big city.

1/49 Wason Street, Milton
smalltownprovisions.com.au
@smalltownprovisions

Hours: Wed & Thu 11am–6pm, Fri & Sat 10am–8pm, Sun 11am–4pm

Bar Yuki

We already know this one’s worth the trip. Bar Yuki, named after the founders’ kimono-wearing pug, is perhaps the most incongruous new entrant to the Milton scene: a Japanese-style record bar serving epic ebi sandos and funky wine.

While its white-bread wonders might play the hero, there’s plenty else to like – corn ribs doused in butter then dusted with a layer of spicy togarashi, and scallop sashimi served in a white soy, chilli and citrus dressing. Cocktails include the Kyoto Old Fashioned, made with green-tea-infused whisky and a dash of maple syrup. The house wine – “Yuki Juice” – is made by Adelaide vigneron Golden Child.

The well-travelled husband-and-wife owners, Kurt and Ash Bailey, use their experience in the music industry to book DJs, jazz sessions and assorted live acts – or simply to curate a killer playlist.

4/23 Wason Street, Milton
bar-yuki.com
@bar_yuki_

Hours: Thu & Fri 5pm–10pm, Sat 3pm–11.30pm, Sun 3pm–7pm