Slip into holiday mode over a silky-smooth caffeine fix with our list of every outstanding Kiama cafe.

Placed aside crashing ocean waves and soft sand, Kiama soothes from the moment you slink into town – with no shortage of things to do once you arrive. The cherry on top is its burgeoning cafe scene, evolving from stock-standard tourist traps to artisanal statements complete with fresh local produce and some of the best beans in the country. From understated holes in the wall to sea-breezed hipster haunts luring big city hospitality talent, every knock-out Kiama cafe blazes the region’s culinary prowess one lick brighter. Here, our picks and everything we love about them.

The shortlist

Best coffee: Ernest Arthur Kiama
Hottest new opening: Beck’s Kiama
Best pastries: Slow Dough

1. Diggies Kiama

What a spot. Diggies Kiama is a slice of coastal heaven located right on Blowhole Point Rd opposite the waves, and the people are as breezy-cool as the setting. Laid-back vibes flow as large groups converge throughout the open courtyard overlooking the ocean. Sundowners of a weekend bring live music and rounds of cocktails, but breakfast is a sublime experience as the kitchen always shines. Fluffy buttermilk hotcakes with sliced seasonal fruit are never a bad idea as is the Blowhole Roll: a classic bacon and egg number levelled up via a hashbrown, pickled jalapeños, and bacon jam. Lunch brings on coastal classics, all finessed with seasonal ingredients, while smoothies (go the Mango Lassi, always) washed everything down in style.

Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Buzzing
Location: 1 Blowhole Point Rd, Kiama

2. Minnamurra General Store

Breakfast, brunch or lunch at Minnamurra General Store is always tempting and for good reason. The food is on point and in peak holiday season, the long-loved Kiama cafe gets busy. Best to book ahead for a lunch reservation or swing by and collect a takeaway feed. Keep in mind, their weekly specials are often the biggest drawcard, with regular hits spanning pot pies, jazzed-up egg scrambles and internationally led plates like the Turkish Iskender kebap with hot tomato sauce. Sweet tooths will delight in their homemade daily muffins, paired scrumptiously with a smooth cup of Vittoria coffee.

Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Homely
Location: 1A Rangoon Rd, Minnamurra

3. Beck’s Kiama

Coffee snobs unite for their daily hit at Beck’s Kiama, a Kiama cafe that set up shop inside the former Little Earth Cafe in July 2025. Paying tribute to its roots, the team make magic out of Little Earth Roasters’ famed small-batch beans, which helped make Beck’s predecessor so damn adored. Rest assured, it’s still one of the best spots in town to slurp up a cuppa.

We love the at-home feel this place exudes from the moment you spot it – a simple brick facade dotted with pot plants and wooden benches – and once you settle in and let ocean views roll up from down the hill, it’s plain serene despite growing crowds cottoning on. The kitchen cranks out breakfast favourites including bacon and egg rolls with greens and toasted sandwiches, as well as freshly baked muffins and other baked goods.

Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Local
Location: 10 Tingira Cres, Kiama

4. Slow Dough

Putting delicious Little Marionette coffee beans to expert use, Slow Dough pairs its morning brew with the best bread in town. A stellar version of amateur Covid-19 sourdough baking gone pro, co-owner Richard King and his wife Lucy now dish up in-demand baked goods, best enjoyed under the sun on a low-slung stool on the grass.

Sweet tooths will drool over a rotating menu of tarts and buns, while savoury loyalists simply can’t resist creative croissants (like the past salami, ricotta and hot honey), loaded focaccias and genius bread blends that have included aged cheddar and jalapeno blends in the past. They’re always playing around with local ingredients, so expect the same brand of wizardry whenever you drop in.

Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Lively
Location: 19 Bong Bong St, Kiama

5. Ernest Arthur Kiama

Earnest Arthur Kiama is a family-owned business that’s been serving Kiama locals for years. With a second store in South Nowra (roughly half an hour’s drive down the coast), the brand fuels the region with two life necessities: pies and caffeine. Nailing both simultaneously, the Kiama cafe is famed for its ridiculously good takes on classic creations like cottage and beef and mushroom. Plus wilder mixes like snapper and dill, or beer and beef cheeks, as well as killer sausage rolls. Homemade pastries are also crowd pleasers, as is the other half of their business, coffee, thanks to a house-blend of beans and expertly foamed cups.

Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Cosy
Location: 82 Terralong St, Kiama

6. Otis

Tummy rumbling? Otis will sort you out with lashings of the good stuff. Specialising in flavour-packed salads that shine a light on the region’s peak produce, this Kiama cafe is famed for mixes like tahini-glazed sweet potato and the honey-roasted carrot crunch with candied walnuts and feta. Wraps, focaccias, baked goods and silky-smooth coffee add further temptation. Grab a table to savour every bite.

Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Fuss-free
Location: 106 Terralong St, Kiama

7. The Hungry Monkey

While its burgers make it one of the best dining experiences in Kiama, The Hungry Monkey’s breakfast menu also earns a place on our morning must-try list. Serving up creamy White Horse Coffee from 6.30am (you’ll spot caffeine-starved crowds waiting for tables most weekends), the Kiama cafe plates up all-day breakfast classics with a twist. Like chilli eggs with sambal and sourdough crumpets with ginger butter and local honey. Grab a spot on the front deck for excellent people watching.

Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Bustling
Location: 5/32 Collins St, Kiama

8. Manning Street Local

Combing the east coast for epic beans, Manning Street Local is firmly fixed on providing locals with some of the most robust morning flavours in town. While Reuben Hills dominates their machine pour, the team also showcase bags of their favourite brands in-store, with past legends including Melbourne’s Market Lane and Sydney’s Skittle Lane. Aside from supporting their industry peers, the team also whip up wonderful fresh-baked baguettes and focaccias loaded with indulgences, plus homemade scrolls and other baked goods.

Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Cheery
Location: 43 Manning St, Kiama

9. Penny Whistlers

From sunrise each day, find the Penny Whistlers crew pouring flavoursome brews with Campos coffee beans. This Kiama cafe boasts stunning ocean views and nourishing dishes for breakfast and lunch (think chilli fried eggs and an open steak sandwich with chimichurri and chat potatoes). Vegans are well-catered for, too. From Thursday to Saturday, Penny Whistlers is a licensed dinner venue that regularly has live music to get the party started.

Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Chilled out
Location: 5/31 Shoalhaven St, Kiama

10. Saltwater

A Kiama institution, Saltwater plates up the best fish and chips in town, as well as gourmet burgers, schnitzels, salads, breakfast and great coffee. It’s a go-to venue for a leisurely seafood lunch with loved ones in a relaxing atmosphere. Their signature dish, the Blue Oscar, takes a grilled Blue Grenadier and tops it with grilled prawns, hollandaise, chips and slaw for a winning taste sensation.

Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Friendly
Location: 104 Terralong St, Kiama

11. Flour Water Salt

The Flour Water Salt team believe it’s better to do a few things well rather than several things averagely. It’s why the basis of this Kiama cafe is the bakery brand’s artisan sourdough production, and the cooks have garnered a cult-like attraction as a result. Come for the pastries, coffee, chai tea, hot pies and artisan-style sandwiches that put that bread to excellent use. And leave with a loaf (or a few) of heavenly carb perfection.

Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Welcoming
Location: 49 Shoalhaven St, Kiama

12. Short Black Coffee

Short Black Coffee is a lovely, no-fuss Kiama cafe located on the main street of town, where fresh-baked pastries and cakes are a hit with locals and holidaymakers alike. Think made-from-scratch delights like Mars Bar slices, loaded chunky cookies and banana bread, to heartier bites like fluffy stacked toasties. Kids love the banana split waffles, while adults linger longer thanks to reliably good coffee and easy price tags.

Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Low-key
Location: 88 Terralong St, Kiama

Still hungry? Discover the best restaurants in Kiama.