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

Discover vibrant culture and creativity, gorgeous nature spots and more in lively Newcastle.

Newcastle/Muloobinba has a lot going for it beyond its big skies and beautiful beaches. The city’s creative types are now heading downtown, taking over and transforming warehouses and terraces to offer a more alternative vibe. From its nightlife to secret swimming spots, art to architecture, here’s our insider’s guide to Newcastle in New South Wales.

1. Learn to sail on Newcastle Harbour

The harbour has always shaped Newcastle, so it seems like the most obvious place to start your weekend. Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club offers a range of programs that provide instruction for both novice and experienced sailors. This is an inspired classroom that sets off past the Honeysuckle Foreshore up the Hunter River, with views towards a seemingly infinite vista of blue stretching to the horizon. It’s the perfect way to savour your time by the sea. Other water activities include surfing, swimming in one of the secret ocean baths or whale-watching with CoastXP .

Aerial view of Newcastle Harbour. — Join Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club’s programs. (Image: City of Newcastle)

2. Underground jazz scene

Follow the lively sound of the saxophone bubbling up to find The Underground . The popular basement-level bar, with its dim lighting and speakeasy aesthetic, schedules live jazz performances every Tuesday and Thursday. Newcastle is known around the country for supporting live music and this late-night New York-style jazz bar is, like the city itself, both approachable and sophisticated. For fans of live music, Queen’s Wharf Hotel , King Street Newcastle , Mad Poet and The Lucky Hotel are all popular pubs for their roster of live music.

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3. The city as a canvas

The streets of Newcastle present like an outdoor art gallery , adding beauty to the everyday with large-scale works by artists such as Fintan Magee, Inari Meyers, Tom Henderson and Sophia Flegg. Hire a Flash E-bike and pedal around the streets to find treasures such as Bronte Naylor’s Mirror Ocean in Civic Square or Sky & Ocean at South Newcastle Beach Skate Park. You can also join Newy Tour Co.’s Discover Newcastle tour to explore city highlights, architectural gems and street art with an expert guide.

Friends take in Newcastle Street Art. — Admire stunning works of art displayed all around you. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. An artist’s view of Newcastle

There’s a real sense of optimism around Newcastle, stemming from its many grassroots art galleries and organisations. The city is home to an eclectic array of artists who gravitate toward different mediums; see their works on show at independent galleries such as The Lock-Up , which operated as a police station from 1861 until 1982, and Lighthouse Arts Newcastle in the light-filled cottages on Nobbys Head/Whibayganba. Stop by The Creator Incubator to see the Little and Big gallery spaces. Newcastle Art Gallery will soon reopen after a recent expansion, so keep an eye out.

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5. Newcastle after dark

The small bars confetti’d around Newcastle are a sign of the times. Visitors to the compact city will find a concentration of bars within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail. The after-dark experience, which includes theatre and live music, is designed for visitors who are in search of the offbeat and want to celebrate the city’s creativity. Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, the bars that dot most neighbourhoods will tempt you with everything from happy hour to their alt attitude.

A bartender expertly crafting a drink, with a stunning library of spirits in the background. — Enjoy a night out at a lively bar. (Image: City of Newcastle)

6. Indulge in great gastronomy

Newcastle’s proximity to the Hunter Valley has helped establish it as a sophisticated getaway for gourmands with a passion for provenance. Dining options in the city are diverse, with everything from casual cafes to cantina-style Mexican eateries such as Antojitos , through to fine diners such as Flotilla and Jana Restaurant & Bar at QT Newcastle . Visit during Newcastle Food Month to get a snapshot of the local culinary scene – you can take note of the many world-class restaurants and cafes that warrant a return visit. Humbug , Peregrin and Bistro Penny should also be on your radar.

The dining area at Flotilla in Newcastle NSW. — Savour a world-class dining experience at Flotilla. (Image: Flotilla)

7. Crystalbrook Kingsley

Crystalbrook Kingsley is another great example of Newcastle’s new wow factor. Staying at the hotel – in the heart of the cultural centre – makes exploring a breeze, with vintage bikes for guests who want to check out the city streets on two wheels. The design-savvy Crystalbrook Collection reimagined the Roundhouse building while adhering to its ethos of sustainable luxury. The hotel is also a magnet for foodies, with the rooftop Roundhouse restaurant and cocktail bar, Romberg’s, two of the best spots in the city for wining and dining.

The Roundhouse by Crystalbrook Collection. — Step into the reworked Roundhouse by Crystalbrook. (Image: Crystalbrook Kingsley)

8. Newcastle’s creative side on show

Save the date for New Annual , a festival of art, music and ideas from 26 September – 5 October. The program is jam-packed with 10 days of art, culture and creativity. This year’s festival will celebrate the power art has to connect people. Expect to see a diverse program including music, theatre, workshops, and performances in iconic Newcastle locations. Visitors will find a concentration of events within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail.

Dancers performing gracefully, accompanied by a live orchestra. — Celebrate migration, community and belonging at New Annual.

Plan your next trip to offbeat Newcastle.

The best cafes in Jervis Bay