13 November 2024
22 mins Read
Cafes in Newcastle are better today than they have ever been. Whether you’re trying to impress a Hinge date, catching up with an old school friend or buying lunch for the family by the beach, there are great places dotted all over the Steel City. It wasn’t easy, but we’ve whittled down the list to include some of the best cafes in Newcastle serving everything from artisanal coffee to avo on toast.
Best coffee: Good Brother Espresso Shop
Family-friendly spot: Merewether Surf House
Best for digital nomads: Talulah
Best for: Asian-style pancakes with rocket, tofu, pickles, avocado, vegan mayo and miso dressing.
The caffeine culture in Newcastle is strong. And the third-wave coffee revolution has well and truly swept the city. You could mix it up a bit and try a different place for coffee each day, but you can also live like a local and make cameos at Good Brother Espresso Shop.
Coconut brown rice porridge with maple syrup, crushed pistachios and blueberry jam.
The tangerine-tinted cafe has exposed brickwork, pendant lighting, and seating inside and out. Break out your Doc Martens; the cafe is in Newy East, where all the cool kids live.
Dine on contemporary Asian cuisine at Good Brother Espresso Shop.
Best for: Coffee and bagels stuffed with salmon, dill and capers.
There’s a fraction too much extraction going on here. But that’s the name of the game. Get the Craver app so you can grab your latte to go from Xtraction Espresso where you will generally find customers snaking out the door. Like the city itself, Xtraction is an industrial-chic space with original flooring from its previous incarnation as a butcher shop. It’s got a lot of character. Beans are from Veneziano Coffee Roasters in Richmond.
Best for: Signature toasties such as the Cuban with pulled pork, ham, pickles, mustard and cheese.
The team behind this bolthole in Broadmeadow are Newcastle’s most awarded coffee roasters. As well as supplying a lot of cafes with beans, the crew at Darks Coffee Roasters crew also run barista courses on the dark arts teaching its cafe partners how to steam milk and draw little frothy patterns in the foam. Serious coffee fiends should hot-tail it to The Darks Container. Into decaf? Don’t bother the baristas at Darks Coffee Roasters. But do head here if you are looking to find one of the most perfect cups of coffee in Newcastle.
Serious coffee fiends should hot-tail it to The Darks Container.
Best for: The iconic pistachio cake.
Thank the deities for Praise Joe in Tighes Hill a local cafe run by Hayley Sinkinson and her partner Phillip Gameson. The couple both deserve a shout-out because they make you feel like royalty. Maybe that’s because Phillip cooked for the late Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle and Hayley worked for the prince of pâtissier Adriano Zumbo. Let that sink in for a hot minute. And then leg it to the cafe near to some of Newcastle’s iconic street art for toasted sangas served with a smile.
Snag a spot at Praise Joe for delicious sweet treats. (Image: David Griffen Photography)
Best for: A Portuguese tart and piccolo.
This humble little cafe stays true to its core: selling great coffee from the 1963 Faema president lever machine. Ask locals to spill the beans on the best place for coffee in Newcastle and chances are they will send you to Corner Lane Espresso in New Lambton. It’s one of the best places to go to siphon up espressos made using small-batch beans. The cafe also has offshoots in Adamstown as well as its own roastery.
Corner Lane Espresso is a local haunt for one very good reason: the coffee. (Image: Hunter Hunter)
Best for: Grabbing a smoothie and a Buddha bowl post-surf.
A mockingbird is named for its ability to speak multiple languages – and the Mockingbird cafe communicates across the linguistic divide through the language of food. Sporting a fresh mullet? Rock it down to Beaumont St where you will find a clean-living boho crowd convening on the hip strip.
Mockingbird has a fresh and fun approach to food.
The cafe is also a local favourite for its low food miles and classic canteen-style decor with trailing greenery. Linger over a sit-down breakfast of French toast or have a peck at some corn fritters.
Mockingbird Cafe aims to embody the spirit of community and connection through food.
Best for: Pig out on the classic breakfast roll – a Newcastle essential – with thick-cut Darby St bacon.
Newcastle, it’s your time to shine. Talulah epitomises everything that makes Newcastle great: it’s informal, it’s dynamic, it feels like home. The cafe is a local favourite for its walls covered in an eclectic array of artworks that it sells minus a commission.
The digital nomad cafe also slings a good burger.
Talulah stays true to classic specialty coffee techniques and is a triumphant story about an idea for a community hub that percolated into a reality. Great place to get up to speed with the local gossip. Great for digital nomads. The dog-friendly cafe also has a purpose-built poochie menu.
The cafe’s effortlessly chic interior makes it extra homey.
Best for: Dreaming of Bali over a nasi goreng.
Simple done well is the Blue Door Kiosk mantra. The cafe has an all-day menu as long as your arm from its venue at Merewether Beach. We recommend busting out a few laps at Merewether Ocean Baths – it’s one of the best things to do in Newcastle.
Grab breakfast by the ocean for a change of scenery.
You’ll need this to work up an appetite to tuck into the Byron Bowl; the Blue Door take on eggs Benny slaps. The brand also has venues in Honeysuckle and Hamilton.
Vegan Cocowhip comes with a variety of toppings.
Best for: Although it’s named for autumn, the menu changes with the seasons
For an authentic slice of Novocastrian life, visit The Autumn Rooms, an artfully scuffed cafe with veggie-forward dishes such as the iconic brekkie greens.
Enjoy scrumptious seasonal fare at The Autumn Rooms. (Image: Sophie Tyler Photography)
The cafe is one of the most darling cafes on Darby St. And it’s our go-to for getting a noisy slice of Newcastle life. Join shaggy-haired surfers and coffee tourists riffing around rustic tables and ordering coffee served in dozens of different ways. There is also a sister cafe in Stockton.
Settle into a cosy nook. (Image: Sophie Tyler Photography)
Best for: The Ms Mary High Tea (available Friday to Sunday), which the lady herself would have loved
Ms Mary on the ground floor of Crystalbrook Kingsley was named in honour of one of Newcastle’s pioneering early settlers from the early 1800s. Like Ms Mary, the cafe is social and warm, embracing the region’s artisans and farmers. Dress up and bring your hot date to the cafe, which evolves throughout the day from a morning meeting spot to a place for a lunch date and TGIF chill. Make time to admire the mosaic of tiles behind the bar made by Syrian refugees.
Delight in drool-worthy meals at Ms Mary. (Image: David Griffen Photography)
Best for: The classic toastie with free-range ham, kassoundi, cheese, and poached eggs.
Nobody will bat an eyelid if you’re coated in sand when you order breakfast, lunch or brunch at Estabar opposite Newcastle Beach. Build on your surf buzz drinking in the salty air and ocean views on the esplanade overlooking Newcastle Beach. You will want to make friends with the impossibly cool staff, who always have great recommendations up their sleeves. On a hot sunny day, order a kombucha brewed from the fruits grown at nearby Pillidge Farm Maitland.
The beachfront cafe serves seriously refreshing housemade kombucha. (Image: Destination NSW)
Best for: Pork bahn mi
Goodfriends Eatery has a beautiful, earthy interior fitted out with floral arrangements of dried ferns, cotton stems and pampas grass that creates an oasis in which to escape. Salads are popular, as well as an array of in-house baked goodies.
Pull up a chair at this earthy-hued cafe.
Head in early to get your hands on muffins, croissants, banana bread, and one of the cafe’s famous scones. The coffee is just as good as the food, with Seven Miles Coffee Roaster supplying the beans for the brew.
You can’t pass up the fluffy buttermilk pancakes.
Stop by on a weekend to take advantage of the cafe’s bottomless batch brew offer for all the caffeine you can handle in one sitting.
Share good vibes with good friends.
Best for: Slow-roasted Pukara lamb shoulder pappardelle with Mother Fungus mushrooms.
The Signal Box is a sleek, chic eatery housed in a 19th-century building that was part of Newcastle Railway Station, which has powered the city in one way or another since its inception.
Enjoy hearty meals at The Signal Box. (Image: Destination NSW)
The iconic spot also brings people together for the month-long celebration of Good Food Month which chronicles the creativity of the city’s restaurateurs, bakers, baristas, brewers, winemakers and chefs. Enjoy crispy Pukara Estate lamb ribs and a glass of Hunter Semillon for lunch at the cafe overlooking the newly developed Market St Lawn precinct.
The Signal Box used to be part of the Newcastle Railway Station. (Image: Megann Evans)
Best for: Fried chicken ramen and wagyu cheese gyoza.
Hire an electric bike and head to Newcastle’s first ramen and gyoza cafe for a taste of Tokyo in this lively place with Japanese graphics and a metro aesthetic. Owner Taiyo Namba has Japanese heritage and Susuru puts two of Japan’s favourite comfort foods in the spotlight: ramen and gyoza.
Get your fill of Japanese comfort food at Susuru.
Susuru means ‘slurp’ in Japanese and Taiyo says slurping the broth is key to enjoying ramen. The gyoza are also handmade by Taiyo’s mum who turns out hundreds of the dumplings per day. The family has Nagisa and Âpé, two of Newcastle’s best restaurants.
Soak up the good vibes inside this open and airy space.
Best for: A porkie pig toastie or Moroccan eggs.
The Three Monkeys is another neighbourhood fixture known for its coffee, food and fire-engine-red facade. It’s one of the OG cafes to shake things up in Newcastle. The cafe takes up most of the square footage of an old terrace with a dinky courtyard out back and tables on the pavement for people-watching. More than two decades after opening, the cafe has retained its unflappable cool and is a leader in spreading the gospel about good coffee and good vibes.
You’re guaranteed a satisfying brekky at The Three Monkeys.
Best for: Tacos de pollo topped with tomatillo salsa, salsa de aguacate, pickled onion and pico de gallo.
Block out some time to crack open a few cervezas to enjoy with fish tacos at Antojitos (which means ‘little cravings’). The Californian-style taqueria is housed in a converted Chinese fruit shop and it’s where to go to hunt down carnitas, pollo asado, and Baja-style fish tacos. Wander past and you will be lured by the aroma of garlic and chilli. The eatery is co-owned by Eric Flores who grew up eating Mexican-American street food in Northern California. What began as a casual market stall has now morphed into a warehouse-sized restaurant inspired by the mercados in Mexico.
Stop by Antojitos to crack open a few cervezas.
Best for: Kingfish crudo and market fish with braised leek and cauliflower puree.
Walk-ins are welcome at Merewether Surf House, occupying prime real estate on Merewether Beach. Head to the cafe for ‘the swim club sandwich and chips’ which you can enjoy at a leisurely pace on the promenade after you’ve churned out a couple of Ks in the pool.
Settle in for a long, leisurely lunch by the ocean.
The family-friendly beach bar offers 270-degree views and includes a low-key kiosk, beach bar and restaurant. The restaurant, Italian, is on the top level and boasts panoramic views over the beach and headland beyond.
Take in stunning beach views from Merewether Surf House.
Best for: The Eddie’s cheeseburger and chips.
The Edwards (once a laundrette) and now a cafe by day and bar by night is run by Chris Joannou (ex-Silverchair). The laundrette’s original iron presses and washing machine drums are featured in the fit-out. It’s open all week for lunch and dinner and hums with a kind of 90s grunge energy. The spirited institution lures a diverse range of locals. Some come to gossip, others to make friends, drink Akasha Brewing Co. beers, dance to live music or just be part of the #westend buzz. Oh, and The Edwards is also one of the best places in Newcastle for a beer, a burger and a boogie.
Experience good vibes and even better food at The Edwards.
Best for: An Uprising sarnie stuffed with poached chicken, pesto and slaw.
The acclaimed bakery Uprising stocks just-baked breads and pastries. Canvas the display cabinet in the cafe and then order a beef, stout and onion pie; it’s one of the best in the country.
It’s all about the carbs at Baked Uprising. (Image: Tyson Mayr)
Lovers of good sourdough should use their loaf and pick up some sourdough from Baked Uprising. The cafe is tucked away in a converted mechanic’s warehouse in Maryville, where the bread is fermented to perfection over three days. The bakery also has an outlet in Harris Farm Markets in Cooks Hill.
Sourdough and pastry lovers are well taken care of here. (Image: Tyson Mayr)
Best for: Pulling up a chair and toasting the scene in Newcastle with a caramel windmill pastry on the side.
Pekárna (means bakery in Czech) and it’s the place to go in Newcastle for baked European treats and strong coffee. Owner Petra, who was born in the Czech Republic, began Pekárna as a pop-up stall at the local markets before finding a brick-and-mortar space on Brunker Road. Novocastrians are hooked on Petra’s pastries. The Bee Sting is hugely popular: it’s a custard-filled pastry topped with toasted honey almonds.
Best for: Partaking in a Kiosk classic of beer-battered fish and chips with a lemon wedge and tartare sauce.
You can’t help but fall in love with Newcastle when you rock up at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach after dusting the sand off your feet.
Swing by The Kiosk for a quick snack by the beach.
The low-key kiosk specialises in toasties, bowls, burgers and fish and chips. It’s the place to be when you’re looking for a stellar espresso or to sit at a table in the sunshine working on your start-up.
This Newcastle gem is known for its casual atmosphere and diverse menu.
Best for: Handpicking items for a picnic.
Arno Deli is a modern take on an old-school Italian deli and bar and has some of the best lunch options in town. Think premium cheeses, meat, wines, and artisan produce sourced from around the globe.
Savour the flavours of Italy at Arno Deli.
There’s barely enough room to swing a salami in the cupboard-sized deli, but that’s part of its charm. Ooh and ahh over the cabinet filled with top-tier French cheeses, Spanish ham, Italian meats and order a panino to go.
Drop by for a cannolo.
Best for: Elevated breakfast options such as artfully charred corn fritters and jerk pork toasties.
Newcastle’s neighbourhoods are packed with vibrant places to eat and drink. And while specialty coffee is nothing new in Newie, you can bet that your brew of specialty single O coffee by ONA Coffee will ensure you join the cult in the hip happening hood of Hamilton. At its core, the spirit of Newcastle is one of creativity. And that is abundantly evident at Bowie, which ups the ante with its disco of coffees, smoothies, cold-pressed juices and specialty shakes. The family-run caff deserves recognition. Get amongst it: it’s one of the best cafes in Newcastle.
Best for: Toasties loaded with jerk chicken and crispy slaw with pickled jalapenos and cheddar.
What committed caff-fiends need to know is that the coffee game is strong at Slingtown Espresso. Ask the barista to sling a few batch brews your way and take up a position on the deck with turmeric and cardamon spiced porridge with roasted nuts and fresh fruits.
Refuel at Slingtown Espresso.
Slingtown is an ode to arty Islington, one of Newie’s most well-loved and artfully scuffed up suburbs. Take the ‘What Coffee Am I’ quiz on the website to see where the mood takes you.
With coffee this good you’ll want to linger for a while.
Best for: A kerbside pick-up of coffee on your way out of town at the 186 Parry St outlet.
Sherwood knows it’s fabulous. That’s why it has seven outlets in Newcastle. The OG is in Parry St and it’s a smart space from which to do business, banter with the barista and pick up a bag of beans. Settle in for the smashed avo on toast; it deserves its own sonnet. This iconic Aussie breakfast is served pelted with a mix of nuts, feta, chunky pesto and a drizzle of lemon. It’s so freakin’ good.
Order the smashed Avo on toast for a real treat.
Best for: Bukowski toastie of char-grilled broccoli on a bed of zesty tahini paste and topped with cheese.
The Press Coffee and Book House is not a straight-up coffee shop. It is, in fact, known as much for its cafe culture as its vinyl and books. Head here if you’re hankering for a coffee after a swim in the local ocean baths where you might run into members of the Banned Book Club (BBC), who will happily bang on about the next edgy title they’ve been tasked with. The cafe, which also facilitates open mic nights, live music and a pop-up restaurant, is very much part of the fabric of Newcastle, and emblematic of the city’s laid-back creative community vibe.
Sip coffee while reading a book at The Press Coffee and Book House. (Image: Time Out)
Best for: The killer mortadella sandwich.
Chef Sarah Kokkin has assembled a menu of incredible dishes that stand out because of the quality of ingredients and the unexpected treatment she gives them. It’s because of this that Customs is considered one of the best cafes in Newcastle for breakfast. Local Customs is not the kind of place where you grab and go. It’s designed to be a place where the community comes to congregate. The light, bright cafe – all polished concrete and vintage furnishings – also has a pantry with a covetable collection of hot sauces. The cafe’’s coffee caravan Bondwood is also worth checking out.
Best for: Shakshuka. It’s insanely good. Moor, please.
Moor serves contemporary fare with a hybrid Asian and Middle Eastern accent. And for that, it’s found a devoted group of followers. There are no shortcuts here: everything is made from scratch.
Sit down for a drink at Moor Newcastle East.
The shakshuka, soft eggs in a Middle Eastern-spiced tomato sauce served in warm pita bread and labneh is fresh and herbaceous. It’s also prettily presented and downright delicious. Head to the Eastside cafe post-surf as it’s near Newcastle’s main beach.
Sip on one of their cold-pressed juices.
Best for: Ssam Yang Benedict
Looking for a bougie-as brunch in Newcastle? Bolton Street Pantry is an upscale eatery with a chic dining room and a diverse and appealing brunch menu. It’s a see-and-be-seen kind of place where surfers come in looking suitably dishevelled for the decadent ssam yang benedict. If you’re in the mood for sweet, order the signature French toast laden with seasonal fruit. Crack cauliflower is one of the best vegetarian breakfasts on offer: it arrives on a moat of beetroot hummus with miso caramel dressing, zaatar, fresh herbs and roti.
Best for: Hearty nourishing fare such as porridge with pistachio mascarpone and almonds or the mushroom tartine.
Equium Social is full of locals having main character moments. And the cafe deserves its fanfare and following: it’s bright, inviting and bustling. While the owners say the word Equium is a made-up word that is ‘open for interpretation’ it’s a bit like the cafe itself: it can be anything you want it to be. Breakfast, brunch and lunch here are bliss. We’re most excited by the ricotta hotcakes, the farmer’s plate of fresh produce, pickles and ferments and the turmeric crepe. Coffee is by Unison.
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