11 Brilliant Cafes in Mudgee for Brunching

Mudgee cafes have a lot to offer when it comes to delightful breakfasts and brunches, thanks to the freshly-farmed bounty of this Central West region of NSW.

Mudgee may first have gained a reputation as an incredible wine region, but it also packs a very out-sized punch on the food scene. From the time breakfast begins, Mudgee’s cafes turn on the wholesome country charm along its main streets, enticing coffee lovers and brunch enthusiasts alike.

The cafe scene is thriving, thanks in more recent years to a slew of openings offering everything from casual cafe classics to elevated brunches. Oh, and great coffee everywhere around every corner.

Here are some of our picks for the best cafes in Mudgee.

The shortlist

Best coffee: Butcher Shop Cafe
Best pastries: Althea by Zin
Best for brunch: Alby & Esthers
Best for dog-friendly dining: Byron Perry

Butcher Shop Cafe

The name might sound strange, but it makes more sense when you realise the Butcher Shop Cafe is housed in an old butchery from the late 1800s. While the cafe may have leaned into the theme when it comes to decor, it’s surprisingly very vegetarian-friendly. The menu is consistent, reliable and tasty, knowing its strengths and doing them well. Think sweet and savoury waffles, eggs your way, croissant melts and brekkie burritos on an all-day breakfast menu. And be sure to add the house-made jam. After 10.30 am, guests can also choose from the likes of burgers, sandwiches and nachos.

But top of the list, for those in the know, is the coffee – it’s roasted in-house here, and locals will rave about it, when asked.

Cuisine: Classic all-day breakfast.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Local charm.
Location: 49 Church St, Mudgee

Althea by Zin

Named in honour of chef Kim Currie’s mum, Althea by Zin is the love child of Lowe Wines and the Zin House. The cupboard-sized bakery and patisserie pumps out treats such as freshly baked organic sourdough and other loaves, berry (and chocolate) tarts, incredible baked cheesecake (the passionfruit and white chocolate cheesecake is otherworldly) and Deluca coffee. Treats do change seasonally, as the cafe uses the same fresh produce from the organic and biodynamic Lowe Family Wine Co farm as The Zin House.

Take away is the main mode here, but bench seats out the front and a sunny courtyard out the back do allow guests to down their tasty treats before heading home.

Cuisine: Baked goods of a sweet and savoury nature.
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Sunny and bright.
Location: 5 Cnr Church & Horatio St, Mudgee

Alby & Esthers

Alby + Esthers turns on the charm in a little cobblestoned corner of Mudgee. The courtyard cafe is tucked away down an alley outside an 1873 stone terrace, and it’s this backdrop of heritage buildings that grounds you in the heart of historic Mudgee.

It’s the perfect spot to spend the morning sipping coffee or kombucha, and eating the famous Esthers Jaffle with smoked leg ham, free-range eggs, Swiss cheese and tomato relish. Locals come for breakfast, but they don’t leave until after lunch. Do as they do and order the lamb burger with greens, beetroot relish and tzatziki on Turkish bread.

Cuisine: Australiana cafe classics.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Local charm.
Location: 61 Market St, Mudgee

The Coffee Burrow

A newer kid on the block, The Coffee Burrow is probably Mudgee’s edgiest cafe, with its all-black walls and sleek-edged decor. While there’s plenty of room to sit down, take away seems to be where this cafe shines. Hot and iced coffees, matcha and chai lattes grace the menu. While simple, sweet and savoury pastries grace the food menu, alongside toasties and sweet slices.

Order online ahead of time to grab and go (those wineries won’t drive to you, after all).

Cuisine: Sweet and savoury pastries.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Edgy.
Location: 79 Market Street, Mudgee

The Quick Brown Fox

Walk down Mudgee’s main streets of a morning, and you’ll notice that most of the locals are sitting at The Quick Brown Fox . For good reason. Sit outside to enjoy some people watching while friendly staff prepare your breakfast or lunch. Choose from a simple menu of classic Aussie cafe dishes, from bacon and egg rolls to a selection of wraps and sandwiches. Just be prepared to settle into country time when the lines are long.

Cuisine: Cafe classics.
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: A people-watching classic.
Location: 79 Market St, Mudgee

Millbrie

Millbrie describe themselves as “fine dining meets cafe culture", and we feel that sums it up nicely. Under the expert eye of head chef and owner, Andy Crestani (the very same who brought Pipeclay Pumphouse to Mudgee), the menu focuses on keeping ingredients local and ideas fresh. Think a breakfast of bacon and egg gnocchi with truffled poached eggs or a caramelised onion, potato and leek tart with hazelnut, fetta and poached eggs. Come lunch time, the menu changes to bowls, burgers and pastas with a unique twist.

Cuisine: Modern Australian.
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Local charm.
Location: 89 Market Street, Mudgee

Empower Cafe

two people peruse the gallery at Mudgee Arts Precinct — Peruse world-famous art, then sit down to coffee. (Image: Destination NSW)

One of the most thrilling things about Mudgee – outside its unbeatable food and wine scene – is that you can head to the Mudgee Arts Precinct to stand face-to-face (and often, alone) with some of the world’s most famous artworks, on loan from Canberra. We’re talking soup cans by Andy Warhol and pop art by Roy Lichtenstein.

And when you’re done, you can pop into the newly opened, on-site Empower Cafe . Muse on what you’ve just witnessed over light refreshments and top-notch coffee.

Cuisine: Light refreshments.
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Casually artsy.
Location: Mudgee Arts Precinct, 90 Market Street, Mudgee

Bite & Brew

Bite & Brew really does what it says on the tin: easy bites (of the sandwich, wrap and salad persuasion) and tasty coffee brews (plus a few other treats, like hot chocolate and chai lattes). Why complicate a good thing, after all? And, ok, it’s hard to walk past and resist the daily sweet treats they add to the offering.

Cuisine: Sandwiches and salads.
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Local charm.
Location: 70 Church Street, Mudgee

Mudgee Corner Store

This isn’t an average corner store. Pop into Mudgee Corner Store to order takeaway coffee and food from the kiosk window, or linger longer at communal tables, begging diners to take their time. The menu is simple: good quality, locally sourced ingredients in crowd-pleasing meals. Think bacon and egg rolls, delicious toastie (both classic and with a twist) and a selection of sandwiches.

And most of the ingredients can be bought from the store part of this cafe, from tomato relish to house-made granola to local marinated olives. Those staying in luxury accommodation in Mudgee should order a breakfast hamper to enjoy the next day.

Cuisine: Cafe classics.
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Communal and welcoming.
Location: 72 Lewis St, Mudgee

Mudgee Honey Haven Cafe

cheese and fruit plate at Honey Haven Mudgee — Enjoy honey, fresh from the source. (Image: Destination NSW)

Never has a cafe been more aptly named than Mudgee Honey Haven . The honey here is so fresh, you can spy on the bees as they make it (through a glass window, of course, which shows a cross-section of a working hive). Book a tasting to discern your favourite variety, then stock up on a jar, as well as other picnic provisions like sparkling mead and blueberry jam.

The rustic on-site cafe knows what its guests are after – simple classics that only taste better with a topping of honey. Scones, croissants, toasties and a mini pizza make up the main bulk of the menu. But dessert is truly the show stopper, with the homemade honey ice cream being a must.

Cuisine: Honey, and other simple pleasures.
Average price: $
Atmosphere: A place to learn and enjoy.
Location: 2 Hill End Road, Mudgee

Byron Perry

This quirky cafe offers a wide range of breakfast and lunch options from its Perry Street precinct location. The cafe takes pride in championing fresh, local ingredients, and provides plenty of gluten-free options (they also cater to other dietary requirements). The menu includes everything from award-winning coffee to bacon and egg rolls. But it’s the housemade, artisanal gelato that has most customers coming back.

Cuisine: Gluten-free delights.
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Dog-friendly.
Location: 13 Perry St, Mudgee

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

Where to stay

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

Where to drink & dine

1. The Bar

the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar — Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

2. The Place

the Fullerton Hotel the place dining — Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

3. Local gelato

Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks — Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

What to do/see

1. GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

2. Circular Quay

aerial of circular quay sydney — Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden — Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

4. Theatre Royal

Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.

11 brilliant cafes in Mudgee for breakfast and lunch