Top Tweed Heads Cafes and Bakeries | Australian Traveller

A region not short of good coffee and a baked treat to go with it, these casual Tweed Heads eateries are perfect for a mid-morning break.

Sip and nibble your way through the Tweed with the region’s long list of cosy cafes and beautiful coastal bakeries.

Stylish, produce-driven and displaying dedicated artistry, this hit-list is full of beachy haunts that pour seriously good coffee and offer some of the best sourdough you’ve ever crunched into. From freshly baked croissants in Kingscliff to refined cafe fare from Pottsville, keep this article bookmarked for your next Tweed getaway.

1. Baked at Ancora, Tweed Heads

Grab a coffee and croissant and sit waterside at this Tweed Heads cafe favourite , where you can watch the river sparkle as you enjoy freshly baked goods under the shade of generous trees. The Paris-meets-Northern-Rivers picnic vibe is perfect for sunny weekends, with pooches welcome, too. The croissants are a non-negotiable menu item, but there are plenty of other options too, including breakfast burgers and lunch plates.

the cafe interior at Baked at Ancora — Sit down for warm brew at Baked at Ancora.

Arguably the makers of the best sourdough in the region, the Bread Social’s Tweed Heads bakery and cafe hums every day from 6.30 am to 3 pm, supplying locals with their daily bread and caffeine. You’ll also find an array of impossible-to-resist pastries, doughnuts and focaccia, which you can nibble outside in the sun. Bread Social also run occasional baking workshops so you can master the art of sourdough, too.

The Bread Social bakery in Tweed Heads, NSW — Fresh-baked pastries at The Bread Social are simply to die for.

3. Next Door Espresso, Tweed Heads

Next Door Espresso is a bright and breezy eatery that plates up simple classics made well and served with genuine smiles. Having spent time in America, the owners returned Down Under to bring US-style hospitality to the Northern Rivers. Adding good-quality, Aussie-approved coffee and cafe favourites (think brekky burgers and corn fritters), they’ve created a welcoming hub both here and in Burleigh Heads.

4. Rob Roy Deli, Tweed Heads

Not quite a cafe or a bakery, Rob Roy Deli is a must-visit to stock up delicious provisions for any stay on the Tweed. You’ll find everything you need for your evening snack plate, like deli meats, cheese, locally made condiments, chips, chocolate and more. The deli also doubles as a bottleshop, with natural wines, craft beers and artisan spirits on sale.

Rob Roys Deli in Tweed Heads, NSW — The deli doubles as a boutique bottle shop.

5. Cubby Bakehouse, Chinderah

Set across from the Tweed River, the locally loved Cubby Bakehouse is your go-to for sweet treats and carb-cravings. From crazy-good cookies to tiramisu brownies and jam doughnut eclairs, everything coming out of the kitchen is dialled up with flavour to fully satisfy your lust for baked goods. Grab an outside table in the sweet garden and savour the moment.

a man ordering coffee at Cubby Bakehouse — Cubby Bakehouse is buzzing with delightful brews.

6. Salt Mill, Kingscliff

The petite Salt Mill cafe is perfectly located for pre-beach coffee runs, situated right across the road from the beach and just a few steps more to crystal-clear Cudgen Creek. Grab your usual baked goods like croissants and banana bread, or opt for a savoury sambo and wrap. If you’re not racing to get in the water, sit outside under an umbrella and enjoy.

outside of the Salt Mill Cafe, Tweed — Get your daily fix of baked goods at Salt Mill.

7. The French Patisserie, Kingscliff

A little touch of Paris by the beach, this Salt Village patisserie tempts all with classic French delights like macarons and gateau, croquembouche and petit four. You can pop by for a breakfast croissant, settle in for an elegant high tea with friends or order a celebration cake for that special occasion.

8. Saltbean Cafe, Kingscliff

This oceanside kiosk is awash with holiday vibes. Sip your morning latte to the soundtrack of crashing waves as you plan your day flitting from sand to surf. Eats here are fresh, filling and fuelling, from classics like smashed avo to sourdough crumpets, brunch burgers and BLTs. Take a seat inside or grab your order and stretch out on the grass across the road.

a smoothie bowl at Saltbean Cafe, Tweed — Cleanse your tummy with beautiful healthy smoothie bowls from Saltbean Cafe.

9. Tucker, Casuarina

The laidback and stylish Tucker eatery showcases local producers with a classic menu that’s all the more delicious thanks to house-made elements. Using ingredients created and grown in the Northern Rivers, from Blackboard coffee to Bread Social baked goods, the tucker here is both considered and delicious. Dive in and taste the flavours of the region!

10. Nectar, Cabarita Beach

With its soft, pastel-pink hues and beach-chic styling, Nectar cafe on Cabarita’s high street eases you into the day. Bagels and sandwiches with rockstar names take you from breakfast to lunch. Slurp down a smoothie and watch the morning bustle before making your way to the beach beyond.

Nectar cafe in Tweed Heads, NSW — Pop in to Nectar for a fresh juice or smoothie.

11. Corner Stop Espresso Bar, Pottsville

For such a small town, Pottsville is well-endowed with great coffee. The Corner Stop Espresso Bar is the perfect place to spend time with hands wrapped around your favourite brew. You’ll also be supplied with fresh, lean and green cafe fare, should you feel inclined to dine. It’s only a short stroll to the beach and creek, or back to Tweed Holiday Parks’ South Pottsville location across the road, one of the best caravan parks in the region.

people dining at Corner Stop Espresso Bar, Pottsville — Mornings are always full house at Corner Stop.

12. Baker & Farmer, Pottsville

The Baker & Farmer bakery also doubles as a cafe, nighttime eatery and bar all in one. In the daylight hours, grab and go with a coffee and your usual baked goods, including croissants, tarts, doughnuts and cakes. Come afternoon and into the evening, the bar mixes cocktails, pours cold ones on-tap and offers up everything from tacos to share boards and burgers.

13. Black Drop, Pottsville

Cool and casual, the charismatic Black Drop cafe in charming Pottsville is alive with activity from breakfast through to lunch. The coffee is excellent, the staff are friendly and the food is elevated. While you’ll find the usual crowd-pleasers on the menu, expect to be delighted by innovative specials and beautifully crafted dishes. Check the website for semi-regular themed nights and pop-ups.

a cup of coffee and a plate of food at Black Drop, Pottsville — Pair your latte with some sweets at Black Drop cafe.

14. Keith, Murwillumbah

Swing by this cool Murwillumbah cafe when in town for an excellent coffee and equally excellent eats. There are house-made treats and dishes to entice using locally sourced and seasonal produce. Think everything from pankcakes and breakfast bowls to burgers and pasta.

the cafe interior at Keith, Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah — Go with your usual avo toast at Keith.

For more eating out options, read our guide to the Tweed to find all the best eats around the region.

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.

14 delightful cafes and bakeries across the Tweed