Royal Oak Hotel

This big, old Cessnock hotel is one of the town's best-kept secrets. It's been renovated with style and is a mighty fine place to sit back, relax and enjoy a drink and a delicious meal. Besides pizzas, pasta and beef, the blackboard specials at Bistro 221 offer something special and deliver with class: a king prawn Thai salad with mango and tomatoes with a hot chilli and tomato dressing; a warm mini-loaf of house-baked damper with garlic butter or a whole spatchcock stuffed with ricotta and semi-dried tomatoes on a bed of sweet potato. Desserts at $7.50 star (take a bow, almond and rhubarb tart).