Untapped foodie experiences and magical hinterland hamlets breathe new life into holidaying on NSW’s Coffs Coast.
There’s nothing undiscovered about beach life on the Coffs Coast, a magnet for surf-seeking holidaymakers. But beyond the bustle of Coffs Harbour lies a huddle of hinterland townships, hipster-cool craft breweries and distilleries, deeply inspired dining and an abundance of natural splendour. Add our seven favourite locales into your NSW mid-north coast itinerary for unexpected delights away from the beaten track.
1. Woolgoolga
Try award-winning gin and vodka at Critters Distillery. (Image: Destination NSW)
You might know it better as Woopi for reasons spanning its traditional custodian roots and historical mispronunciation. Woolgoolga, located 20 minutes’ north of Coffs Harbour, is a thriving community offering scenic trails, water activities and handcrafted sips.
Mark our words, this town won’t be hidden for long, particularly when news of its industrial precinct off the Pacific Highway catches on. Go warehouse wandering to find Critters Distillery ’s award-winning gin and vodka, Mogul Beer for a soon-to-open cellar door and the jewel in the region’s craft crown, Woolgoolga Brewing Co. for live music and great vibes throughout its giant shed and spacious sloping lawn.
Explorers will love the Falls Walking Track from Woolgoolga Creek picnic area and the Woolgoolga Coastal Loop, plus there’s lovely village life along Beach Street, around the corner from Seaview Tavern , one of the best pubs within the Coffs Coast.
2. Glenreagh
The humble muffin has been revamped into a cinnamon-dusted croissant and muffin hybrid.
The historical town of Glenreagh, along the Orara Valley Tourist Trail , which clusters several Hinterland villages that hug the Orara River, is a must-visit.
Located just off Orara Way at the Trail’s northern end near Grafton, it’s home to one of Australia’s most underrated Big Things — The Golden Dog Hotel’s Big Golden Dog. Guarding the pub at four metres tall and six metres long, the giant pup was constructed by one of the team who delivered the Big Banana at Coffs Harbour.
Grab a selfie before popping across the road to Glenreagh Bakery , where pastry gods whip up buttery, blistery bliss from Tuesday to Saturday. Pudgy focaccia topped with roasted veg and herbs, crunchy cruffins (the muffin-croissant hybrid), Jalapeno Turkish bread and corned beef and dill pickle puffs bring big-city creativity to the humble Coffs Coast pit stop.
Navigate the extremely winding Eastern Dorrigo Way to reach the charming village of Ulong.
Rolling green hills, geese-freckled farm scapes and one exceptional beer garden — Ulong is another brilliant stop within the Coffs Coast and Orara Valley. You’ll need to venture just off Orara Way to reach it and if you’re coming from the north, you’ll need to navigate the extremely winding Eastern Dorrigo Way. But once you’re there, unwinding is easy.
Pine Avenue is where it’s at, as the Ulong General Store and Cafe In The Valley are endlessly charming, and it’s also where you’ll find the Ulong Ex-Services Club . Established in 1956 and featuring the most jaw-dropping country NSW pub views, it’s the ultimate spot for lunch or sundowners. Grab a seat on the deck or pick a picnic table on the grass under the umbrellas as the kids make use of the undercover playground just a few steps away.
And don’t miss snapping panoramic town vistas from the lookout on Eastern Dorrigo Way where a tree-sheltered picnic table encourages you to savour the sights.
4. Nana Glen
Pull up a chair inside the rustic Idle In Cafe.
You’ll recognise the name as Rusty Crowe’s home away from Hollywood but there’s more to Nana Glen than trying to spot his Coffs Coast acreage. Located within the Orara Valley along Orara Way, it’s a charming horse-dotted town that attracts visitors for the impressive Idle In Cafe , nailing top-notch coffee, fluffy homemade scones and a delicious all-day breakfast. Take a seat in the cosy courtyard and don’t leave without sussing out whatever peak local produce they’re selling on the day.
Nana Glen also houses Coffs Harbour Camping & 4WD , a beautiful 230-acre property fitted with shaded campsites. Meanwhile, aimless wandering throughout Nana Glen will offer fresh country air and picturesque farm scenes (think cows dipping their hooves into trickling creeks, as spotted during our last visit) straight out of storybooks.
5. Coramba
It’s the hinterland but don’t forget your cozzies. Coramba in the Orara Valley offers direct access to the soothing Orara River via Martin Street. Enjoy serene swims before grabbing a feed at the wonderful Coramba Hotel , which offers yet another atmospheric beer garden overlooking tree-lined mountains and farmland. Once you’re done gazing at Coramba’s natural beauty, get stuck into experiencing it. A stroll along Coramba Nature Reserve’s subtropical rainforest walk offers excellent birdwatching and ancient greenery.
6. Lowanna
Lowanna General Store is the spot to stop for a meal and a yarn with locals.
Ulong’s next-door neighbour also follows the ever-winding Eastern Dorrigo Way from the north; however, you’ll hit it before you reach Ulong, no matter where you’re travelling inland from. The town itself is small, but don’t miss the Lowanna General Store and Box Car Cafe for a tasty bite, reliably lovely cuppa and great chats with endearing locals. Once you’ve filled your cup, in every sense, take advantage of Lowanna’s proximity to Little Nymboida River, where tranquil waters beckon swimming, kayaking and paddling.
7. Sawtell
Sawtell Hotel serves up seriously good pub food. (Image: Steven Woodburn)
Indulge in excellent seasonal produce and authentic international flavours in Sawtell, a beach town that’s emerging as a haven for winers and diners. The patrolled Sawtell Beach is a hit with surfers while Sailors Bay at the southern end offers sublime rock pool dips.
When it’s time for a feed, there are plenty of hospitality stars to choose from. Bello e Buono is an unmissable Italian deli and café dishing up cannoli, amaretti, mortadella focaccia, al dente pasta and more with truckloads of love.
Lime Mexican rolls out classics alongside a menu of tequila, mezcal, sangria and cocktails, and Morty’s Joint is the place to be for American-style comfort food and a round of pool. Meanwhile, if it’s a laidback meal you’re craving, head straight to Sawtell Hotel for a reliably good pub feed.
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
The ultimate guide to the best Coffs Harbour cafes includes everything from coastal hangouts to hidden hinterland gems and brunches to brag about.
The best Coffs Harbour cafes range from those that source and roast their own beans to cute-as-a-button bakeries tucked away on pretty pockets of farmland. The cafe scene in Coffs Harbour is as vibrant and unique as the coastal city itself.
Here is your definitive list of the Coffs Harbour cafes you need to discover for yourself. Use it as your handbook when exploring from Coffs Coast beaches to the hinterland.
You can’t go past Artisti Coffee Roasters just outside of Coffs Harbour for top-notch coffee.
This boutique roastery is in the High-Tech Industrial Estate in Toormina. Not only does Artisti Espresso Bar & Roastery source and roast its own beans to the highest standard, but it does so day after day. Like all good roasteries, the air is filled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee. Banter with the baristas about the different brewing methods so you can find the perfect cup according to your preference. Then, order a macchiato and a bag of beans to go. Sign up for Barista Training to take your latte art to the next level.
Average price: $$ Atmosphere: Industrial-chic, cosy cupboard-sized espresso bar Location: Unit 3/11 Craft Close, Toormina
The Happy Frog
The Happy Frog is a lifestyle store and cafe in one.
The ‘Peace, Love and Chickpeas’ tees worn by the wait staff should give you an indication of the vibe at this healthy, inclusive lifestyle cafe and store on the main street in Coffs Harbour. The cafe offers a plant-centric menu, where artfully composed salads are considered the main event. Think Buddha bowls, Moroccan chickpea salads, rainbow salads and frittata. BYO reusable container to get 50 cents off your order.
Average price: $$ Atmosphere: This low-key casual co-op is one of the hippest cafes in Coffs. Location: 16 Park Avenue, Coffs Harbour NSW
Sandy Spoons Cafe
Enjoy relaxed dining by the beach.
One for the beach lovers, Sandy Spoons has you covered for brekkie, brunch or lunch. Shoes are optional at the low-key Coffs Harbour cafe, which is tucked under the Woolgoolga Surf Lifesaving Club. On weekends, join the queue of mums and dads who trudge across the sand from Nippers to get their fix of coffee and a cheeky vanilla slice. For lunch, try out the mussels cooked in a chunky, chilli-garlic tomato sauce. This popular dish was inspired by a cherished family recipe and is served with a warm wedge of buttery Turkish bread.
Average price: $$ Atmosphere: Relaxed toes-in-the-sand community hub. Location: 1 Ocean St, Woolgoolga
Cafe In The Valley
Caffeine is a pivotal part of a road trip, so much so my husband and I hinge entire journeys around where to stop for a cup of coffee and bakery treat. Atmosphere is also important when you’re talking country cafes. And the Cafe In The Valley does just fine in that department, too. Cafe In The Valley doubles as the unofficial Ulong visitor info hub. Cue the sound of insects chirping as you settle into the shaded courtyard for avocado and feta smash on sourdough. Get some hot tips from locals about chasing waterfalls in nearby Bindarri National Park and make plans to return for live music and pizza nights.
Average price: $$ Atmosphere: The charming cafe is all leather lounges and moody tones and leans into the valley vibe. Location: 70 Pine Avenue, Ulong NSW 2450
Key Cafe
The not-for-profit Key Cafe keeps customers happy with good food and a sustainable purpose.
Key Cafe serves good food and great coffee with purpose. The community-powered not-for-profit cafe has been creating jobs for people with disabilities across NSW’s Mid North Coast since 1991. With a new outlet in Coffs Harbour as well as the OG in Kempsey, Key Cafe is seeking to change what inclusion in the workplace looks like for those who don’t have a straight line to employment. In addition to supporting this worthy cause, customers can enjoy delicious chicken satay sticks or banh mi. Follow up lunch at Key Cafe with a game of padel at the adjacent courts;
Average price: $$ Atmosphere: Vibes are always going to be high at a community cafe where coffee helps create employment opportunities for those with disabilities. Location: 61 West High St, Coffs Harbour; (490 Macleay Valley Way, South Kempsey)
Split Café
Split Café has been in the bean biz in the charming village of Sawtell since 2005. And while the baristas at the slick cafe are serious about their coffee, the menu is also top-notch and changes with the seasons. Try out the Sawtell Smokehouse nitrate-free bacon supplied from Gooralie Free-Range Pork served on a milk bun slathered with avocado and aioli and stuffed with rocket, tomato, cheese and house BBQ. Another great option, particularly popular with holidaymakers, is lingering over a lazy long lunch on signatures such as the Philly cheesesteak. Pick up some honey or house-made chilli oil from the pantry.
Averageprice: $$ Atmosphere: Bright and breezy with breezeblocks and a very particular kind of Coffs Coast chic. Location: Shop 3-4, 4 First Avenue, Sawtell
Bello e Buono, Sawtell
Live la dolce vita in the leafy Sawtell. (Image: Michal Kubala)
This Italian-inspired cafe with curb-side seating is a popular place to perch in the picturesque hip strip of leafy Sawtell. It’s a bit Machiavellian, but I’d recommend setting off for the Italian-style eatery before your family is up and at ’em so you can enjoy a triangle of the Belle e Buono lemon-ricotta cake to yourself. Appease them by returning to your Coffs Coast hotel with a round of homemade sandwiches stuffed between slabs of piadina or fluffy focaccia. Your head will be spinning at the multitude of choices, but my personal pick is the soft prosciutto, bocconcini, tomatoes and basil. Bello e buono, indeed.
Average price: $$ Atmosphere: Visit the chic little Italian eatery to see what la dolce vita looks like on NSW’s Mid North Coast. Location: 39 First Avenue, Sawtell NSW
Supply
There’s nothing better than being on holiday on NSW’s Mid North Coast and taking a local’s recommendation on where to go for the best coffee in Coffs Harbour. Supply is one of the best Coffs Harbour cafes to get a decent cup of joe. Wait till the traffic on the beach thins to a trickle of locals, surfers and fishermen before heading to Supply, which caters to all comers. It’s a Supply and demand thing. Supply has serious coffee credentials, using Full Spectrum Coffee Roasters to great effect. Try out a doppio to get that full-flavour hit and follow it up with Turkish eggs or a blueberry bagel.
Average price: $$$ Atmosphere: The white-on-wood layout is defined by open, light-filled spaces. Location: 15 Orlando Street, Coffs Harbour
Glenreagh Bakery
The chic country bakery is renowned for crisp-edged croissants.
Ask the family breadwinner to do a loop of the beautiful Orara Valley Tourist Trail to procure lunch on the go. The Guinness steak pie at Glenreagh Bakery is surely a contender for Australia’s Best Pie. The menu also shifts with confidence from savoury to sweet with crisp-edged croissants, raspberry lemon curd cheesecake and tiramisu sponge cakes – all signature treats. Forgo coffee and order a chai to accompany your order. The darling little country bakery also serves as a tourist information centre for the Clarence Valley. Flick through the flyers and maps on offer to see what’s happening in and around the region.
Average price: $ Atmosphere: Country casual, nostalgic and friendly Location: 27 Coramba Street, Glenreagh
Beachouse Cafe
Beachouse Cafe is a popular spot to stop off the highway.
I love breaking up our family road trips along Australia’s East Coast with a wander around Woolgoolga. It’s where we discovered the whimsical Beachouse Cafe , which has a sandpit to keep little ones (and their parents) happy. Encourage them to get their wiggles out until the banana bread and sunshine smoothies arrive. Beachouse Cafe has been popping off as a place to pull off the highway for a few years now. The cafe is on higher ground than Woolgoolga Beach but filled with flotsam and jetsam you’d expect from a beachside cafe. It’s cafes like this that have been the making of Woopi.
Average price: $$ Atmosphere: The cafe is serving Castaway-chic – all faded whites, turquoise and teals. Location: 42 Sandy Beach Drive, Woolgoolga NSW
Idle In
Idle In is the kind of cafe you visit to manifest your meet-cute with a local Harley Davidson biker. The Coffs Coast cafe is nestled in Nana Glen, one of the hidden gem villages on the Coffs Coast hinterland. And it has that kind of ‘discover by accident and fall in love’ charm you’ve been searching for. Release your grip on the throttle for long enough to idle at the Idle In over the spicy chorizo, lentil and tomato soup and Toblerone and Bailey’s cheesecake. Sidle up to the Coffs Coast cafe on a Thursday for Swap, Shuffle, Share, where you can barter with excess home-grown produce and home-made goods.
Average price: $$ Atmosphere: This is a hangout for Harley riders and recreational bikers who like to loop around the Orora Way. Location: 30 Nana Street, Nana Glen NSW
Peach & Wolf Bakery
Settle in for a fresh pastry at Peach & Wolf family bakery. (Image: @jamieeee_davooo)
The coastal community of Coffs Harbour loves to start the day with a scamper up the beach followed by a morning swim. While the strong pull of the ocean is real in Coffs Harbour, so is the allure of a fresh pastry at Peach & Wolf Bakaery . Once you’ve towelled off, do as the locals do and settle in for the Kevin Bacon brekkie roll or a cinnamon scroll. The eco-conscious caff now has outlets at Park Beach, Yarrila Place and Woopi. Keep your road trip schedule fluid so you can spend an extra few days sticking to the ritual of a morning pastry followed by a perfect little piccolo made using Allpress Espresso beans.
Average price: $$$ Atmosphere: Visiting this family-run bakery is a local ritual and the experience is garnished with good vibes. Locations: 29/87 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour; The Marketplace, 4 Market St, Woolgoolga,; and Yarrila Place, 27 Gordon Steet, Coffs Harbour
Dark Arts Cafe & Bar
Coffs Harbour cafes often serve as multifunctional hubs. By day, the Dark Arts Cafe & Bar serves the city’s community of creatives with killer coffee (ethically sourced) and cakes. Order the toasted granola jewelled with berries, orange and date gel and a cup of the wicked house blend: ‘Black Magic.’ When night falls, the space flicks a switch, morphing from cafe to a space playing host to private events. The menu at the Dark Arts Cafe & Bar is as eclectic as the decor, all stained glass, velvet chairs and comic book art. My hot tip: download the free Coffs Coast Explorer app to help you navigate your way along the Coffs Harbour coffee trail.
Tuck into moreish black mussels at Ground Earth cafe.
Ground Earth epitomises cafe culture on the Coffs Coast, clinging to a character all its own. Although the wholefoods cafe has a lovely laid-back feel, the staff are extremely attentive and friendly. Each new menu marks the passing of a new season and the dishes on offer are as beguiling as the local scenery that winds from the mountains to the sea. Find a seat on the footpath to enjoy everything from brekky burgers to savoury lentils on sourdough, and grilled cheese toasties with pickles. Big ups to Barret Espresso’s single-origin coffee made creamy and delicious with milk from the Little Big Dairy Co.
Average price: $$ Atmosphere: You’ll want to make friends with the locals here who are all breezy cheerfulness after their morning surf. Location: 1/18 Market Street, Woolgoolga NSW
Hope Road
Get your caffeine fix at Hope Road.
This chilled Coffs Harbour cafe is not about fine dining. It’s both raucous and relaxed with a hodgepodge of bare timber tables and chairs that serve as a shared workspace for the local dreadlocked brigade. Find your groove in the terracotta-toned grotto, which is adorned with hessian sacks that promote the provenance of the Drumroll Coffee Roasters beans sourced for your morning brew. Hope Road is a reference to where Bob Marley grew up in Kingston and this lively hub is as much about reggae and music as it is about the coffee and toasted sangas.
Cuisine: Inventive toasties and Brazilian dishes like coxinha (shredded chicken croquette) that reflect the owner’s heritage. Average price: $$ Atmosphere: Vibrant Location: 31 Park Avenue, Coffs Harbour
Nyanggan Gapi, Sealy Lookout
The Indigenous-owned Nyanggan Gapi at Sealy Lookout. (Image: Supplied)
Average price: $$ Atmosphere: Cultural Location: Sealy Lookout Drive, Coffs Harbour
Palate & Ply Cafe and Roastery
Palate & Ply Cafe has literally been cobbled together with palettes and ply. It’s both a cafe and roastery where the best seats in the house will depend on your mood. Sit inside if you want to socialise around lounges your nanna will covet. Or take it outside to the grassy patch to settle in for some people-watching. Wind down the day with new friends over Reuben toasties, mixed berry smoothies or artisan coffees. The chefs know the way to your heart with a creative menu that roams from eggs benny for brekkie to chicken and avocado salads for lunch.
Average price: $$ Atmosphere: Palate & Ply is also a co-working space so expect to share your space with artists, freelancers and budding entrepreneurs. Location: 37 Vernon Street, Coffs Harbour
Village Pantry
Don’t be fooled by the fact it’s nestled deep within Park Beach Home Base, the suburb’s one-stop-shop retail destination. Village Pantry , right next to Forty Winks behind the kids’ playground, is designed to create a momentary retrieve from the mall. The epic cafe dishes up attentive service, seasonal twists on breakfast classics, generous portions and hyperlocal seasonal produce. Oh, and the coffee here is life. Try out the ‘three best friends’ brekkie, which is a three-way combo of sweet and savoury. You get a mini acai, a mini ‘avo good day’ – smashed avocado on toast with plenty of extras – and a small cup of coffee just the way you like it.
Average price $$ Atmosphere Casual and coastal Location 252 Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour
Miquette
The Parisian-style cafe and wine bar Miquette offers an array of French classics.
There is a little piece of Paris that is thriving on Harbour Drive on the Coffs Coast. That’s thanks to the arrival of Frenchman Edouard who has brought a taste of chic Parisian cuisine to the Mid North Coast of NSW with cafe and wine bar Miquette. Édouard met his wife Jade, a Coffs Harbour local, when they were both working at Edouard’s uncle’s famed le Bistrot Paul Bert in the 11th Arrondissement. The Coffs Harbour cafe transforms into a wine bar by night and offers an array of French classics from dawn to dusk. By day, the cafe will satisfy your cravings for crisp, savoury crêpes and flaky croissants. As night falls, the wine bar’s Paris-style terrase is the place to be for charcuterie boards paired with boutique wines.
