The Tastiest Katoomba Cafes To Try Now

Caffeinate ahead of a day exploring the Blue Mountains at these excellent Katoomba cafes.

Katoomba is serious about starting the day with a good cuppa and equally good eats, from local coffee roasters peddling their wares to a robust French breakfast, coffee with a view, and a bakery that pairs flaky treats with excellent beans, there’s no shortage of cafes to take you from breakfast to lunch and beyond. Here’s a round-up of the top spots to sit and sip.

1. Cassiopeia

You’ll find two of the four Cassiopeia espresso bars in Katoomba, so you’ll never be short of a good brew to kickstart the day. The Lurline Street cafe is open daily from the bright-eyed hour of 6am, while the 3/59 Megalong Street venue is a Monday-to-Friday affair.

It is very much about the bean here with minimal eats to be had, but there are the usual suspects of coffee pairings, such as toast, banana bread and pastries. If you fall in love with the brews, you can take a bag of beans home with you, too.

the cafe interior of Cassiopeia, Katoomba — Kickstart the day with a warm brew at Cassiopeia.

Address: Unit 3, 59 Megalong Street, Katoomba; 79 Lurline Street, Katoomba

2. The Lookout Echo Point

Enjoy your breakfast served at The Lookout with a side of stunning, sweeping views as you gaze at Echo Point. Settle in to sit at Bar NSW and enjoy classics of eggs your way, waffles and breakfast rolls, or grab-and-go from the Milkbar and find a perch with incredible views of the Three Sisters. You can also roll in for lunch or snacks with a menu that services a range of appetites from small share plates to burgers and larger mains and an award-winning wine list on the pour at Bar NSW.

Address: 33 Echo Point Road, Katoomba.

3. Black Cockatoo Bakery

Bread made slowly and beautifully using organic ingredients is at the heart of Black Cockatoo Bakery – a big reason this cafe remains a Blue Mountains favourite. If it’s good coffee and the flakiest and most golden of pastries you’re after, you need only set Google Maps here on a Wednesday to a Sunday.

Single O coffee is run through the machine and you shouldn’t (read: won’t) leave without cradling a loaf of fresh-baked sourdough in your arms. Each day is a different loaf, from Miche to emmer and a delightful apricot and fennel.

a tray of croissants at Black Cockatoo Bakery, Katoomba — Buttery and flaky croissants are perfect with a cup of coffee.

Address: 165 Katoomba Street, Katoomba.

4. Little Paris Cafe

Nobody does breakfast and brunch quite like the French, so if you’re after a wonderfully buttered start to the day, direct yourself to Little Paris Cafe . The menu is just the classics with no room for anything that isn’t French or heavy-handed with the cheese, so go for the croque monsieur, brioche toast, or omelette with Toulouse sausage for the all-day breakfast, or, if you’re looking to lunch, opt for crepes salees (savoury crepes) or traditional baguettes. There’s also good, fair-trade coffee and, of course, a range of sweeties that can’t easily be refused.

Address: Shop 4/81–83 Katoomba Street, Katoomba.

5. On The Soul Side

A little bit of quirk and good coffee make On The Soul Side cafe a must-swing-by when you’re in and around the mountains. There’s often live music happening here, but if not, there’s always good music playing from owner Dave’s collection. Stop by for a toastie or a bacon and egg charity roll, from which a portion of the proceeds go to not-for-profit charity, Thrive in the Mountains. There are also sweet treats of Bilpin apple pies and sticky date pudding, as well as a changing menu of savoury dishes, which may include an Indian Vegetable Curry.

Address: 1 Goldsmith Place, Katoomba

Warmer days call for slowing down and relaxing in nature. Discover why The Tweed is the ultimate destination to do just that.

As the end of the year draws near, the need for rest and restoration grows ever more prominent. For many, that means heading into nature – and there’s plenty of science to back up the benefits of doing so. It quite literally makes us happier as it reduces stress hormones, lowers our blood pressure and more. And what better place to lean into this feel-good effect than during summer in The Tweed (in the Northern Rivers region of NSW)? Blending sparkling beaches, riverside towns and hinterland villages, this area has nature covered, while also offering top activities and dining options.

And of course, pack your SPF. We Are Feel Good Inc’s Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula that keeps your skin hydrated and shielded, thanks to nourishing Coconut Oil and Vitamin E. But it’s also helping preserve the natural beauty around you on your Tweed vacation, thanks to 30 per cent ocean waste packaging.

Discover eight experiences that make The Tweed the perfect place for summer.

1. Underwater worlds

two people swimming after turtle on the tweed — Get a chance to swim with the locals.

There’s something about the ocean that calls to us as humans, and what’s below the surface is even more magical.

Green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles (not to mention an abundance of other marine life) all use the protected waters around Cook Island, near Fingal Head, as their foraging ground, making it the perfect place to dive and snorkel to spot these adorable creatures.

Join Cooly Eco Adventures on a guided snorkelling tour that combines unforgettable turtle encounters with an inspiring look into marine conservation.

2. Farm-to-table dining

table spread at Potager restaurant — Treat your taste buds at Potager. (Image: Cara Sophie)

Respecting the land and nature also means appreciating its abundance of food. From farm-to-table cafes and boutique breweries to river cruises and restaurants championing local produce, dining around The Tweed often means engaging with the best local producers.

The award-winning Potager Restaurant , part of The Hinterland Collection , is the perfect example; beginning life as a kitchen garden, the passion to champion local producers is woven into every dish. Vegetables, fruit and herbs are picked from the garden or sourced from other local producers, the seafood comes from the Northern Rivers, and meat is sourced from ethical local producers. Even the cocktail list features local distillers.

Extend your stay with a night (or several) at boutique on-site accommodation, Potager House . This French-inspired country four-bedroom retreat boasts stunning views of the surrounding hills and nearby ocean, as well as a large pool, outdoor entertaining area and infrared sauna.

3. Water wellness

Waterguru Mindfulness in the Mangroves summer on the tweed — Find mindfulness in mangroves. (Image: Matt Johnson)

You’ll find mindfulness while floating around the mangroves of Kingscliff’s Cudgen Creek at any time, but Watersports Guru offers an immersive experience to help guests do so with more intent. Join a 90-minute guided session on a stand-up paddleboard to reconnect with nature and relax through breathwork, gentle movement and sensory awareness.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, Watersports Guru also offer Kayak fishing adventures or join a Sea Turtle Odyssey experience.

4. Restorative seaside stays

woman relaxing in spa at Halcyon Wellness, halcyon house — Unwind at Halcyon Wellness.

The Tweed encourages locals and visitors alike to slow down. To really indulge, a seaside stay is a must. Halcyon House has understood the assignment, blending a wellness philosophy centred on balance and self-discovery with luxurious surrounds. Stay in one of 22 rooms and suites (each individually designed by eclectic interior designer Anna Spiro) right on the beachfront. Book restorative treatments at the onsite spa, Halcyon Wellness, relax by the pool, dine at the hatted Paper Daisy restaurant and just let The Tweed work its magic.

While Blue Water Motel offers a relaxed coastal escape, just steps from Kingscliff Beach. Settle in stylish rooms, recently restyled by Jason Grant, nodding to the cool of Kingscliff with a fun retro vibe. Hire a bike from reception to explore the surrounding area.

5. Tasty drops

The owners at Husk Farm Distillery aren’t just about creating high-quality rum: they’re also farmers themselves. In fact, they create one of the world’s only single estate, farm-to-bottle spirits. Join a Farm to Bottle tour to discover the sustainable ‘full circle’ distilling practices used here, and even get hands-on with your own cane knife to help harvest and juice your own stalk of cane. And, of course, a welcome drink plus complimentary tastings along the way.

6. Rail trail adventures

Exploring the rolling green slopes and historic towns of the 24-kilometre Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is one of the best ways to connect with the region’s lush hinterland and interesting heritage. In this section of the trail, discover the area’s railway history at heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, and traverse by 18 railway bridges and through two railway tunnels.

Linking vibrant towns and villages with the larger hub of Murwillumbah, this section of the trail is covered in asphalt or compacted gravel, making it accessible for all ages and abilities, from prams to adaptive bikes.

7. Linger longer

surfer at fingal heads the tweed — Enjoy beachside locations, like Fingal Heads.

Linger longer at one of the seven idyllic beach, river and creekside locations of Tweed Holiday Parks – including at Tweed Heads, Kingscliff Beach, Hastings Point and Pottsville South. All just steps from the water’s edge, they make the ideal base to unwind, or head out for exploration of The Tweed. Choose from luxury waterfront cabins, accessible cabins, surfari tents (yes, they are basically glamping tents) or spacious sites for caravans, motorhomes and campervans or tents.

Find your feel-good summer in The Tweed at visitthetweed.com.au .

5 tasty Katoomba cafes to try now