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 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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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