Jervis Bay Cafes: Here Are 14 Of The Best

Our guide to the best Jervis Bay cafes includes a mix of chill places to work, top-notch spots for a caffeine fix and fantastic locations for brunch and lunch. Plug the following places into your satnav. Now go.

Those planning a South Coast stay will need to factor in a jaunt to these cracking Jervis Bay cafes. Be it coffee and gelato from an Airstream caravan, a family-friendly place for brunch or killer fish and chips enjoyed on the jetty, here are the best Jervis Bay cafes and casual eateries on the NSW South Coast.

The shortlist

Hottest new opening: The Local
Best coffee: Jervis Bay Coffee Co.
Best pastries: Kraken Sourdough
Best for brunch: 5 Little Pigs

Harley’s at Husky

When it comes to coffee orders, I make mine a double. This is especially so when I see the beans are put to good use. Basically, the baristas toiling over the sky-blue La Marzocca coffee machine know their stuff. Furthermore, expect a matcha made in heaven at Harley’s at Husky , which is open for breakfast and lunch each day. Unquestionably, the Eat. Drink. Laugh logo is literally a good sign. In the meantime, check the cafe’s Instagram page for the next Bubs & Pubs meet-up. Lastly, Harley’s is an inviting hub with a nautical, beach-chic colour palette.

Cuisine: Burgers, acai, focaccia toasties and above-average cafe fare.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Sunny, bright, good vibes only.
Location: 51 Owen St, Huskisson

Fishermens Wharf Huskisson

The congenial Fishermens Wharf cafe is out to prove it’s the best place in Jervis Bay for coffee with a view. Never has a town had such a need to wake up early and stay alert. Why? Because there are so many great things to do during the course of a day in Jervis Bay. My love for coffee equals my husband’s love for craft beer and we can enjoy both here at lunchtime. Book in for a dolphin eco cruise or wildlife excursion and then retreat back to the wharf to enjoy the Whale of a Breakfast which is whopping as the name suggests.

Cuisine: Think smashed avo for breakfast; pulled pork tacos for lunch
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Fancy fisho meets Jervis jetty vibes.
Location: 15 Field St, Huskisson

Merciers Gelato & Coffee

A glossy salted butterscotch and chocolate gelato is best enjoyed amid groves of gums standing their ground in the open air. By all means, follow it up with a swim in the turquoise waters off Jervis Bay. Obviously, that’s the plan when the Merciers Gelato and Coffee  van rolls into town. Track the cool 1960s Airstream caravan , which has a pop-up store in Huskisson over summer. You’ll also find the food van festooned with bunting and fairy lights at festivals and markets in Jervis Bay. At any rate, reward the kids with a scoop of gelato for listening to dad jokes on the drive from Sydney.

Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average: price $$
Atmosphere: Refined
Location: Various locations around Huskisson over summer.

The Local

The Local has taken off where the much-loved Albert & Miso cafe left off. And anywhere that has Taco Tuesday on the agenda deserves a place on our guide to the very best Jervis Bay cafes. The homey corner cafe in Vincentia Shopping Village is aptly named as it’s somewhat of a hub for locals. So we recommend you converge here for everything from burrito bowls to brekkie burgers after a surf at Aussie Pipe. The mural of an octopus here is a conversation starter: ask about the local Jervis Bay site marine scientists have dubbed Octlantis.

Cuisine: Classic mod Oz cafe fare
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Casual and inclusive
Location: 12/5 Burton St, Vincentia

Salty Joes

Salty Joes  is so named as it embraces the essence of salty hair, sea breezes and NSW South Coast surf culture. At least treat yourself to a bacon and egg roll or dive straight into the smoothie bowl, which is the monkey’s nuts. No seriously, that’s what it’s called. In addition, this deliciously curated concoction comprises peanut butter, banana and coconut milk topped with maple pecan granola, toasted coconut and shaved milk chocolate. The walls of this popular cafe includes pops of colour that match with the mood-boosting turquoise seas.

Cuisine: Contemporary cafe fare with great coffee.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Refined
Location: 1/54 Owen St, Huskisson

5 Little Pigs

The only huffing and puffing happening at 5 Little Pigs is among hangry travellers who have arrived here in the post-surf peak hour and have to queue for a table. Chill. Why? Because it’s Jervis Bay brah. In no time at all, you’ll be digging into the ‘Big Pig’ breakfast with bacon, eggs, tomato, spinach and tomato on sourdough. This rustic Huskisson cafe is regarded as one of the best Jervis Bay cafes for coffee, too. Arrive barefoot wearing a flanno and balled-up beanie: it might help you unlock some insider tips about the best surf beaches in Jervis Bay.

Cuisine: Mod Oz
Average: $$
Atmosphere: Laid-back and beachy
Location: 64-66 Owen Street, Huskisson

Cooked Goose on Hyams

Hyams Beach is certainly no secret spot. In fact, it’s named as one of the best beaches in the world. My personal tip is to visit outside the peak scene-y season of summer, when the beach is a more mellow place to hang. Dust the crumbs of sand off your feet and build your own breakfast at the  Cooked Goose on Hyams , which has one of the best outlooks in Jervis Bay. Order pesto butter beans or a burger with the lot for lunch and then have a gander at the goodies you can take away from the cafe.

Cuisine: Everything at the Cooked Goose is made in-house and the menu is Mod Oz.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Think busy, bustling Hyams Beach hub
Location: 76 Cyrus St, Hyams Beach

Tuna Tail Husky

Poke is a staple in Hawaii and it’s great to see it popping up at dedicated poke bars like Tuna Tail in Huskisson, just a block and a bit back from the beach. Lunching at the light, bright, poke bar is an insanely good experience as the healthful creations are made fresh to order. Pick a base (rice, noodles or cabbage), choose a bowl (fins, feathers, or flowers), or build your own with add-ons that include avocado, seaweed and sesame seeds.

Cuisine: Soul food. Bowl food.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: It’s serving Hanalei Bay
Location: 2/12 Currambene Street, Huskisson

Milk HAUS Milton

Don’t @ me. I know Woodstock is an hour’s drive from Husky. However, a mere 60 minutes on the clock is nothing when you’re road-tripping around Australia. Above all, make the detour to Woodstock to meet your mates from Milton for bowl food such as pasture-raised poached eggs, asparagus, peas, herbs, chives and sourdough. Correspondingly, you’ll find the garden-to-plate menu has a plethora of pluses and positives.

Cuisine: Nourishing garden-to-plate dishes that will ensure you eat your greens
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: The vibe is one of unstoppable optimism.
Location: 170 Woodstock Rd, Woodstock

World Famous Fish and Chips

It’s a huge call to name your eatery World Famous Fish and Chips . But that’s been this fish and chipper’s claim for more than two decades and if they believe they can fry, then so do we. Certainly, it’s impossible to go past old-school prawn cutlets. But it’s the fish and chips that are on high rotation here. At least dine in at the relaxed chipper or get a side order of fresh air and picnic with your feet dangling over the jetty. Afterwards, pick up some fresh Jervis Bay mussels  for dinner.

Average: price $$
Location: 2/54 Owen St, Huskisson NSW 2540

Kraken Sourdough

Kraken Sourdough is one of Huskisson’s hippie HQs. All in all, it’s also one of the best Jervis Bay cafes and bakeries for a latte. Vanlifers road-tripping around the NSW South Coast should follow the enticing aroma of fresh-baked croissants to this Jervis Bay cafe and bakery for viennoiseries such as fruit crumble, and berry brioche. Another recommendation is the pillow-soft potato pizza. Meanwhile, the kimchi and peanut toasties are manna from heaven for vegos.

Cuisine: Savoury and sweet bakery treats
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Industrial-chic production line for pastries
Location: 10 Duranbah Drive, Huskisson

Jervis Bay Coffee Co.

You will feel an immediate bond forming with locals when you converge on this Jervis Bay cafe. Jervis Bay Coffee Co . takes great care air-roasting small-batch high-grade Arabica beans to give Jervis Bay locals the jolt of java they need. Evidently, you’ll find a rag tag group of road-trippers at the cafe, which is worth the journey to Jervis Bay for its avocado and ricotta bagels. Likewise, the toasted ham-and-cheese croissants are choice.

Cuisine: Killer air-roasted cafe and bagels
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Rustic and real
Location: Princes Highway, Wandandian, Jervis Bay Territory

Huskisson Bakery & Cafe

Enjoy a pie crawl up the NSW coast from Sydney stopping off at Huskisson Bakery & Cafe outlets along the way. Sit solo and eavesdrop on the surfers who gather in the bakery to shoot the breeze over a Brekky Pie. Why? Because you might overhear where the waves will be firing when the next swell hits. Evidently, the absolute best brunch spots in Jervis Bay are all-day affairs where the goal is getting something down your pie-hole when the craving hits.

Cuisine: Brekkie pies, toasties, croissants and protein shakes
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Old-school and laid-back
Location: 11 Currambene St, Huskisson

Angels Bayside

It doesn’t matter if you roll out of bed at noon – you’re on holiday, babes. Besides, stumble into Angels Bayside Cafe unshowered and with your sunnies on and nobody bats an eyelid. Indeed, the folks in Jervis Bay aren’t judgey. In fact, the more artfully dishevelled you look, the better. Angels does an all-day breakfast menu that includes fluffy pancakes, eggs on sourdough and smashed avo. Direct that devil-may-care attitude toward your diet and suck back a Southern fried chicken burger. The cafe is fully licensed and has a regular line-up of live music.

Cuisine: Classic home-style cafe fare
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Relaxed.
Location: 74 Owen St, Huskisson

Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw — Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle — Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe .

2. Destination dining

Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw — Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca , which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie , the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths — Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach . Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen , which is open from 6am.

Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse .

You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach , where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

couple eating at Flotilla newcastle — Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

5. Newcastle nightlife

Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw — Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne , Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s .

Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.

The best cafes in Jervis Bay