At the foothills of Megalong escarpment, Lot 101 is reimagining what it means to eat, grow, and gather—where sustainability, community and culture come together in one remarkable place.
Tucked under the cliffs of Megalong Valley, Lot 101 is more than a dining destination, it’s a living, breathing ecosystem. A hub where sustainability meets hospitality, and where food is grown, prepared, and served with care and intention that nourishes far beyond the plate.
What began as a retreat for a young family during the COVID era has evolved into a thriving 600-hectare precinct. Lot 101 encompasses native bushland, fertile farmland, a fine-dining restaurant, a weekend farm gate market, rustic accommodation and one of the region’s most iconic institutions, the historic Megalong Valley Tearooms.
A restaurant wasn’t the first thought when owner and founder Kristina Stefanova and husband James purchased the properties and land. That idea came spontaneously, standing in what is now the heart of Lot 101.
“The owner's house was in a magnificent location with 360 degree views of the escarpment, and as we walked around it debating what to do, I said to James, my husband, ‘wouldn’t it be amazing to eat with this view’ and he said, ‘I’ve always wanted a restaurant…’ and the rest is history,” says Kristina.
“We are dedicated to demonstrating that we don’t need to choose between wonderful food and a sustainable, productive environment,” Kristina says, who, alongside her husband James and executive chef Colin Barker, has transformed this little bit of paradise into a sanctuary for both biodiversity and considered experiences.
Colin Barker is an award-winning chef, long-time friend, and now partner at Lot 101. Initially brought on as a consultant, Barker helped shape the restaurant from the ground up and explains: “We craft a new menu each week based on what is available in the garden, what proteins we have in our dry aging room and, of course, being the mountains.
“A big thing for us is that we want people to relax and immerse themselves in the whole experience. There is no such thing as a quick bite at Megalong and we have built the restaurant with this in mind,” says Barker.
It’s that sense of immersive relaxation that defines dining at Lot 101. There are no time limits on tables. Guests are encouraged to slow down, warm themselves by the fire, or sink into the lounge between courses. Barker says, “we want people to feel nourished, body and soul”.
And the nourishment goes far beyond the restaurant walls. Lot 101 is a working farm, home to a rotating orchestra of sheep, cattle, ducks and chickens, alongside an ever-expanding patchwork of market gardens. Nearly everything served at Megalong and at the Tearooms is grown, harvested, or made on-site.
Every Saturday, the Tearooms come alive with the weekly Farm Gate Market. Baskets of freshly pulled carrots, leafy greens, homemade jams and baked sourdough fill the tables. “About two-thirds of our customers are regulars now,” says Stefanova.
The vision behind Lot 101 is deeply personal and before building this business, Kristina and James spent their careers in climate policy and environmental sustainability with Lot 101 an opportunity to continue embodying those values. “We spent years shaping policy. Now we get to put it into practice, in our own backyard.”
This attention and care of the land is evident in the details. The soil is enriched, not stripped, the water is conserved, and wildlife corridors are revived.
“We want to create a place where people leave restored and renewed. A place that will change you, and we hope, the way you view nature, food production, and your personal symbiosis with the environment.”
Upcoming plans at Lot 101
This year, the team at Lot 101 is taking things a step further by partnering with the Blue Mountains Writers’ Festival. In addition to its traditional home at The Carrington Hotel in Katoomba, the festival will now expand into the valley with a parallel program hosted on site.
“James and I are avid readers and have supported the Blue Mountains and Sydney Writers’ Festivals for years. Extending the intimate experience of meeting and hearing from writers, and buying books in our community, at our place, is something we’re really proud of.” Stefanova explains.
There’s also the annual Lyrebird Festival, a four-day celebration of music, art and nature held in November. Past guests have included acclaimed violinist and composer Eric Avery, and renowned artist Janet Laurence, whose work explores the intersection of environmental fragility and human connection.
There’s plans to host another long-table winter feast and continued evolution of the property’s spaces.
Lot 101 isn’t just about food. It’s also becoming a quietly powerful cultural hub. “This is our forever project,” Stefanova says. “And it’s growing into all sorts of things we love.”
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