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11 brilliant cafes in Mudgee for breakfast and lunch

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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

waiter holding coffe inside Butcher Shop Cafe Mudgee
Stop by for the best coffee in town. (Image: Destination NSW)

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

woman waiting to order at Althea by Zin in mudgee
Althea by Zin is the love child of Lowe Wines and the Zin House. (Image: Amber Hooper)

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

jaffle and coffee at Alby & Esthers cafe in mudgee
Elevated jaffles are the order of the day here. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

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

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The Coffee Burrow

the coffee burrow mudgee
Even the takeaway coffee cups look like they belong in Donnie Darko. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)

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

The Quick Brown Fox mudgee
Be quick to nab a seat at The Quick Brown Fox. (Image: Destination NSW)

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

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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

Interiors of Mudgee Corner Store, Mudgee, NSW, Australia
Take a seat at one of the communal tables inside. (Image: Destination NSW)

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

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Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.