8 Cafes In Merimbula & Beyond To Start The Day At

Wake up to the fact it’s easy to find a caffeine fix with our guide to the best Merimbula cafes.

Take the time to stop at a Merimbula cafe and you’ll quickly discover the rhythm of the NSW South Coast town. From the casual kiosks that won’t judge you if you walk in barefoot from the beach to the cafes selling nourishing brekkie bowls. Here is our guide to the best cafes in Merimbula and beyond.

1. MorMors

Best for: The full eggs benny with two poached eggs, spinach, and hollandaise

This buzzy cafe serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch, with highlights including doorstop-sized burritos stuffed with scrambled eggs, bacon, Swiss cheese, spinach, charred corn, capsicum, red onion, and coriander salsa.

a spread of food and drinks on the table at MorMors, Merimbula — MorMors brunch menu is overflowing with generously sized brunch options.

MorMors  is in Merimbula Plaza and spills out onto a leafy courtyard perfect for ONA coffee and catch-ups. Enjoy a fresh juice and corn fritters or an all-day burger with the lot. Open 8am–2pm, seven days a week.

the outdoor setting at MorMors, Merimbula — The leafy courtyard is an ideal spot to sit with a cup of ONA coffee on a sunny day.

Address: The Plaza, Shop 15, 20-22 Market St, Merimbula

2. Bar Beach Kiosk

Best for: A big-arse Bar Beach burger

Customers at Bar Beach Kiosk are encouraged to be chilled thanks to the vibes being put down by the staff.

the beachfront view at Bar Beach Kiosk, Merimbula — Embrace the sunny vibes of this seasonal cafe during the warmer months. (Image: Bronte Shipton)

Sit here long enough and you are bound to meet all manner of sea-changers, from corporate casualties to ageing surfers lured by great waves for long-boarders. Sit at the bar overlooking the break if you’re in the mood to mingle.

a woman ordering a drink at Bar Beach Kiosk, Merimbula — Strike up a conversation with locals during your visit. (Image: Bronte Shipton)

Alternatively, lounge on the lawn beside laid-back locals over a lunch of smashed peas and whipped feta on Wheatley Lane sourdough. The seasonal cafe is open six days a week between the September school holidays and June long weekend.

the al fresco dining at Bar Beach Kiosk, Merimbula — The kiosk’s lawn is a great place to sit and watch the waves roll in as you sip your morning coffee. (Image: Bronte Shipton)

Address: Lake St, Merimbula

3. Nourish

Best for: Soups and salads

This Merimbula stalwart does what it says on the tin. Nourish  will awaken your appreciation for the art of making coffee with alt milk as the line-up of quality lactose-free liquids here is impressive. Enjoy a creamy oat milk latte or a super-food smoothie before perusing the shelves stocked with everything from Pukka tea to sugars and spices and soothing ministrations using turmeric and medicinal mushrooms. The rustic wholefoods cafe also sells racks of upcycled fashion. Open Mon-Sat 8–2pm; Sun 8–1pm

Address: The Promenade, Shop 7/4 Market St, Merimbula

4. Toast Cafe, Pambula

Best for: The sweet potato fritters

Toast Cafe is a perennial Pambula fave that lures diners with elevated brunch favourites that suggest a good time. Plates like the Mexican sweet salad with roasted sweet potato, peppers, black beans, quinoa, corn, feta, guac, tortilla crisps, and a coriander lime dressing. Or the sausage and egg panini with caramelised onion jam.

coffee and brunch menu at Toast Café, Pambula — Take your pick from the brunch favourites. (Image: David Rogers Photography)

There’s an unhurried vibe out the back on the verandah, which is prettied up with flowerpots and a beautiful garden streaked with sunlight. Order an iced latte and a pastry to go.

people dining at the garden-like setting of Toast Café, Pambula — Linger over brunch on the verandah. (Image: David Rogers Photography)

Address: 3/25 Quondola St, Pambula

5. Cranky cafe

Best for: The Philly cheese steak served on a squishy bun

Main Beach Merimbula is where the locals hang out to power up post-kitesurf. It’s not just because the lattes are rich and creamy. Or that the cheeseburgers have a bit of heft and are on a house-made milk bun. Cranky Cafe is a suburban go-to because the staff dispense food and drink with a smile. The cafe is popular with local holidaymakers staying in Merimbula who converge here for ready-made take-home meals.

Address: 33 Ocean Drive, Merimbula

6. Waterfront Cafe

Best for: A big breakfast of house-made ham-hocked beans with the lot

When looking for the best things to do in Merimbula it’s best to follow the locals who mob Main Beach each morning. Follow their lead and start your morning with a swim or a surf followed by breakfast by the water’s edge at the Waterfront Café . The corner cafe showcases the importance of community in a small country town where locals gather for coffee, breakfast and a catch-up. It’s a welcoming cafe near to a quirky pocket of shops and the hip strip of Merimbula’s best bars and restaurants.

Address: Shops 1 & 2 Corner Beach & Market St, Merimbula

7. Wild Orchid Cafe, Tathra

Best for: Avo on sourdough and the crumbed chicken burger

Tathra is just a 20-minute drive from Merimbula and well worth including in a NSW South Coast road trip itinerary. The locals pack in tighter than anchovies in a tin at Wild Orchid Tathra where the customers come in early for breakfast and stay late for BYO lunch. The cafe tweaks its hours over winter and summer to suit the seasons. You’d be remiss not to order the avocado feta with pepitas and black sesame on sourdough. Spice fiends should order it showered in an extra abundance of chilli flakes and wait for the kick to blow their head off.

Address: 1/29 Andy Poole Drive, Tathra

8. Wild Rye’s Baking Co., Pambula

Best for:  The beef curry pie is one of the best in Australia

When is a meat pie worth a six-hour drive? When it’s baked fresh in flaky pastry using the very best seasonal ingredients each day. Your dog’s eye (pie) is not going to transport well back to Sydney so find a spot on a park bench and scarf it down.

bread on display at Wild Rye’s Baking Co. in Pambula — Stock up on freshly baked bread and don’t forget to try the pies.

Then get back in the Wild Rye’s Baking Co queue to inhale the extraordinary aromas and figure out whether you’re going to go sweet or savoury. You’ll find artisan baked goods with unique flavour combinations and specialty blends of freshly roasted coffee, too.

making bread at Wild Rye’s Baking Co. in Pambula — Wild Rye’s Baking Co. is a proud purveyor of fine artisan breads.

Address: 26 Quondola St, Pambula

For more insider tips and expert advice to help you plan your next beachside escape, read our guide to visiting Merimbula.

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 .

8 of the best cafes in Merimbula and beyond to start the day