The dreamiest cafes in Yamba for slow mornings

Kristie Lau-Adams Kristie Lau-Adams
hero media
A top-notch cuppa, seasonal produce and a generous dollop of sea breeze — the best cafes in Yamba absolutely nail the good life.

Slow mornings spent soaking up the coastline over a stellar cup of joe – is there anything more desirable on a long-awaited beach break? You’re spoiled for choice in Yamba, one of the NSW North Coast’s shining stars, as outstanding AM pit-stops dot the beach town. From undiscovered gems to the most popular haunts around, your all-important caffeine and fresh, bountiful meals are found at the best cafes in Yamba.

The shortlist

Best family-friendly spot: Beachwood Cafe

Best for vegetarian: Angourie Cafe & Wine Bar

Best views: The Kiosk Yamba

Best hidden gem: Bowen’s Delicatessen & Fine Foods

1. Gather

the cafe exterior at Gather, Yamba
The aptly named cafe is an ideal spot for friends to gather.

Perched high above Main Beach in the bustling hub that encompasses some of Yamba’s best restaurants (think BRGR Spot and the Pacific Hotel) is Gather ; they’re famous for frothing up some of the best coffee in town (although a close second or third would be Summi’s right next door). It offers delicious, flavour-crammed meals across breakfast and lunch, like mushroom bruschetta with buffalo mozzarella, a chilli crab scramble, a signature hash with pressed smoky pork and a matcha tapioca pudding topped with coconut mousse.

They’re open until 2pm daily, only take walk-ins, and offer a children’s menu that includes mini French toast among other fuss-free favourites.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average Price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Trendy

Review: 4.5/5

Location: 3/14-15 Clarence St, Yamba

2. Spilt Milk

a plate of eggs benedict at Spilt Milk, Yamba
The moreish eggs benedict.

Serving up superb Hill Roasters beans from nearby Kungala, about an hour south of Yamba, Spilt Milk arrived on the cafe scene in November 2024 and instantly endeared locals. Run by a Yamba family who have slowly taken over the space that Bean Scene once thrived in, the hot spot is gaining attention for its creative smoothies and milkshakes, plus left-of-centre breakfast and lunch options.

You can expect the likes of ‘Breaky Fried Rice’ which resembles a Nasi Goreng tossed in sesame hoisin sauce, plus rich curries served alongside all-day classics like avocado smash, bacon and egg rolls and open grill sandwiches.

Cuisine: Comfort food with Middle Eastern influences

Average Price: $$

Atmosphere: Casual

Review: 3.5/5

Location: Shop 4/8 Yamba St, Yamba

3. Beachwood Cafe

Open for breakfast and lunch, Beachwood Cafe is one of the homeliest cafes in Yamba, attracting a cult-like status to its side street location. Sevtap Yuch, the Turkish-born owner and chef who also moonlights as a cookbook author, delivers an authentic slice of the Mediterranean, maintaining a tightly curated blackboard menu of breakfast all-stars with a twist.

Expect humble yet wildly fresh local produce transformed into memorable dishes like scrambled eggs with feta and sucuk (Turkish sausage), coconut and cinnamon toast, braised octopus, lamb kofta and grilled sardines. As for the vibes, they’re plenty cosy as patterned mismatched crockery and a leafy patio create an inviting atmosphere for parents and kids.

Love what you’re gobbling down? Sevtap’s ‘less is more’ approach to cooking is ripe for the adopting, with her collection of cookbooks available to purchase in-store.

Cuisine: Modern Australian with Turkish influences

Average Price: $$

Atmosphere: Family-friendly

Review: 4/5

Location: 22 High St, Yamba

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

4. Angourie Cafe & Wine Bar

al fresco dining at Angourie Cafe & Wine Bar
Enjoy breakfast al fresco at Angourie Cafe & Wine Bar. (Image: @angouriecafeandwinebar)

Dishing up soul food in a beautiful boho-inspired, white timber fit out, Angourie Cafe & Wine Bar is a local gem. While the bar element of the brand was still under reconstruction in December 2024 (they’re promising to be back with a vengeance soon), the kitchen nails a menu of breakfast classics that embrace seasonal ingredients and a healthy lifestyle.

A six-minute drive from the centre of Yamba, this beloved cafe offers acai bowls, vegetarian baked beans, garlic mushrooms on sourdough, toasted sandwiches, mega-loaded salads, tacos and more across its breakfast and lunch menus.

Cuisine: Modern Australian, skewing vegetarian

Average Price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Hippy

Review: 3.5/5

Location: 11/13-15 The Crescent, Angourie

5. The Kiosk Yamba

beachfront dining at The Kiosk Yamba
The Kiosk Yamba offers idyllic beachfront bliss.

Yamba is not a beach town that’s short on great cafes, but few boast views as striking as The Kiosk Yamba . Housed within Yamba’s Surf Life Saving Club, this unassuming spot right on Main Beach features picnic benches and striped parasols and is open from breakfast through to lunch.

Whether you’re in the mood for something salubrious (hello acai bowls and fresh, cold-pressed juices) or something more indulgent (perhaps a bacon, egg and cheese roll with a milkshake on the side) this popular Yamba cafe always delivers.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average Price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Easy and breezy

Review: 4/5

Location: 1 Marine Parade, Yamba

6. Bowen’s Delicatessen & Fine Foods

the coffee counter at Bowen’s Delicatessen & Fine Foods, Yamba
Grab a takeaway coffee at Bowen’s Delicatessen & Fine Foods.

Find a smashing morning meal and charcuterie supplies for later at Bowen’s Delicatessen & Fine Foods . Renowned across the region for its exceptionally fresh focaccias and wraps, plus creamy, strong coffee, the cafe in Yamba also stocks a brilliant range of cured meats, indulgent cheeses and ultra-rich sweets.

Best of all, the team are endlessly inviting, on hand to walk you through its cabinet and the mainstays, including the popular chicken and sundried tomato wraps with garlic aioli, as well as the dine-in headliners – Bowen’s burgers. Crispy chicken, double cheese, bacon and pineapple… whatever you fancy, the gang’s all here.

Cuisine: Artisanal snacks and Modern Australian meals

Average Price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Casual

Review: 4/5

Location: Shop 33, 1-3 Treelands Drive, Yamba (inside Yamba Fair shopping centre)

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

7. Pinewood Corner

a look inside the cafe at Pinewood Corner, Yamba
This charming cafe serves delicious Botero coffee.

A beloved local’s secret, Pinewood Corner takes the best picks from Yamba Farmers and Producers’ Market, one of the best things to do in Yamba, and spins them into scrumptious dishes with dialled-up heart. Think fluffy layered cakes with seasonal fruit, buttery tarts dressed in greens, herbs and nuts, toasties with artisanal bread and sweet focaccias alongside savoury variations.

The owners are natural-born creatives themselves, showcasing their favourite art on the café’s walls and even hosting the odd life drawing class. But first, coffee, right? The beans are among Yamba’s best, sourced from Botero Roastery Cafe in nearby Maclean.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average Price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Free-spirited

Review: 4/5

Location: 1/2-4 Yamba St, Yamba

8. Laneway Lunchbox & Espresso

lunch plates at Laneway Lunchbox & Espresso, Yamba
Laneway Lunchbox & Espresso serves up generous and healthy lunch plates.

Now you’re really getting into the locals’ treasure trove of most-loved cafes in Yamba. Laneway Lunchbox & Espresso is a serious gem, tucked behind a butcher on Coldstream Street. It’s only open during the week, feeding the centre of town’s business crowds, and you’ll need to be quick as a rotating menu of internationally inspired dishes tends to sell out quickly.

Spanning Asian, like wok-tossed noodles and traditional chicken balls, and even traditional British pub classics like bangers and mash, the menu is experimental and a ton of fun. Additionally, the coffee is strong, and the service is friendly.

Cuisine: International

Average Price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Busy

Review: 3.5/5

Location: 3/18 Coldstream St, Yamba

9. Yum Yum Angourie Cafe and General Store

the counter at Yum Yum Angourie Cafe and General Store
Order breakfast classics with your chosen brew at Yum Yum Angourie Cafe and General Store.

A delightful old cottage converted into a morning eatery and grocer, Yum Yum Angourie Cafe and General Store is pure charm. Hearty dishes span the typical spectrum of breakfast classics (avocado on toast, eggs your way and more), but everything is treated with extreme care.

Don’t leave without taking home a flaky baked good or few, and if you’re feeling extra generous, there’s always the ice cream freezer for kids to fight over at this cafe in Yamba.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average Price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Cosy

Review: 4/5

Location: 29 Coldstream St, Yamba

Ready for lunch? Discover the best restaurants in Yamba

Kristie Lau-Adams
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.
View profile and articles
Yamba camping
Yamba

A guide to every picturesque Yamba camping hot spot

From spectacular sites with million-dollar water views to places to pull up your motorhome, the best Yamba camping and Yamba caravan park picks always dazzle.

Read more
Every memory-making stop on a Yamba to Coffs Harbour day trip
Yamba

Every memory-making stop on a Yamba to Coffs Harbour day trip

The stretch from Yamba to Coffs Harbour is short (just under 1.5 hours), but photo-perfect stop-offs demand a full day of exploration.

Read more
Yamba airbnbs
Yamba

15 Yamba Airbnbs for a blissful beach escape

The best way to immerse yourself in the laidback surf culture of Yamba? By renting one of the best Yamba Airbnbs in and around town.

Read more
Yamba accommodation
Yamba

The best Yamba accommodation for a coastal getaway

Whether you’re poised to splurge or pinching every penny, the best Yamba accommodation will sort every traveller out.

Read more
hero media

Your guide to what’s new and exciting this summer on the Central Coast

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
    Continue
    From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

    Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

    Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

    1. Gosford’s glow up

    room at voco gosford
    Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

    Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

    Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

    Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

    Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

    2. Newcomers to the dining scene

    table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal
    Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

    The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

    Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

    Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

    Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

    3. New Central Coast experiences

    winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery
    Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

    It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

    Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

    Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

    For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

    4. Central Coast accommodation

    view from a cottage at Noonaweena
    Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

    There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

    Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

    In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

    To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

    5. Shopping on the Central Coast

    Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast
    Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

    For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

    Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

    Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

    Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

    For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

    Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .