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The best Warrnambool cafes to try on your next visit

Jade Raykovski Jade Raykovski
From sleek coffee bars to laidback kiosks, cafe culture is alive and well in Warrnambool.

You might be over 250 kilometres from Melbourne, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on great coffee or brunch when you’re in Warrnambool. The regional city is serving up its fair share of top-tier cafes, with fantastic food, great vibes and coffee ranging from filter and pour over to batch and cold brew. We’ve rounded up our top picks to check out next time you’re in town, so you’ll have options ready for brekkie, lunch and anything in between.

The Shortlist

Best for vegan/vegetarian: Day Kitty
Best design: Beaches Cafe & Bar
Best views: Pavilion Cafe & Bar

Pavilion Cafe & Bar

alfresco dining at Pavilion Cafe & Bar, Warrnambool
Pavilion Cafe & Bar delivers uninterrupted views of Lady Bay. (Credit: Josh Robenstone)

If you like your coffee with an ocean backdrop, head to Pavilion Cafe & Bar, perched at the end of the foreshore next to Warrnambool Pier. Its floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious balcony show off its best asset: uninterrupted views overlooking Lady Bay. Once you tear your eyes away to look at the menu, you’ll find an elevated selection of brunch options, from wild rice porridge and bagels with avocado and whipped cream cheese, to their signature big breakfast, The Pavilion.

From 12–2pm they serve lunch; if the sea air is stirring up a seafood craving, opt for the salt and pepper squid or prawn spaghetti, and walk it off afterwards with a stroll on the pier. Here just for the vibes? Coffee and cocktails are available all day. Note: There is ramp access up to the cafe.

Cuisine: Modern Aussie
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Lively and friendly
Location: 50 Viaduct Rd, Warrnambool

The Nook on Hopkins

The Nook on Hopkins, Warrnambool
Pull up a seat in this relaxed cafe. (Credit: Ellen Moloney)

Formerly a milk bar, new owners Marife and James Moloney opened The Nook on Hopkins in 2025. This hidden gem of a cafe is located away from Warrnambool’s centre, close to the Hopkins River Bridge and not far from Logans Beach.

It’s quickly become a local favourite, with coffee by Seven Seeds, all day brekkie and lunch, and a welcoming atmosphere (plus access is step-free for those with mobility issues). Our pick is the pulled beef benny: 24-hour slow-cooked brisket, poached egg, chipotle hollandaise, crispy onion and saltbush on buttered sourdough. Yum.

Cuisine: Modern Aussie
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Quiet and welcoming
Location: 8 Hopkins Rd, Warrnambool

The Beach Kiosk Cafe

Located between the beach and Lake Pertobe, The Beach Kiosk Cafe’s cheerful white-and-grey weatherboard façade is easy to spot when you’re passing by. Pop in for brekkie or lunch, or try their renowned fish and chips – available dine in or takeaway, so you can feast in the park or on the beach. Coffee, smoothies, milkshakes and toasties are on the menu, along with favourite dishes like their lamb souvlaki and Korean benedict. The accessible family-run venue also boasts a “scoop station", home to 20+ ice cream flavours.

Cuisine: Modern Aussie, fish and chips
Average price: $$-$$$
Atmosphere: Cheery and laidback
Location: 65 Pertobe Rd, Warrnambool

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Beaches Cafe & Bar

Beaches Cafe & Bar balcony view
Sip on a cocktail while admiring the ocean views.

Stepping into Beaches Cafe & Bar feels like stepping into a Mediterranean seaside restaurant. The chic blue-and-white decor – complete with leafy greenery and palm trees on the walls – is only outshone by the fabulous views looking out over the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and lighthouse, towards Lady Bay.

The breakfast menu features the usual suspects, while lunch offers a broader range of dishes from fish and chips and a southern fried chicken burger, to prawn tacos and an Asian beef salad. On a sunny day, sit on the deck under one of the blue-and-white striped umbrellas with a cocktail as you soak in the view.

Cuisine: Modern Aussie
Average price: $$$-$$$$
Atmosphere: Sophisticated coastal
Location: 91 Merri St, Warrnambool

Allee Espresso

Allee Espresso, Warrnambool
Kickstart your day with a warm brew from Allee Espresso.

Tucked behind the industrial façade of a co-working hub, it’s easy to miss Allee Espresso. Once you’re inside, however, the entire experience feels thoughtful and curated, from the minimal yet cosy interior, to the warm service and small extra touches (why don’t all coffees come with a little biscuit, we ask?).

Pastries and gourmet toasties rule the menu here, with fillings like jalapeno, parmesan and cheddar, and honey-roasted pumpkin, goats cheese and rocket. Coffee is by Maker and includes batch brew and pour over; non-coffee drinkers are also taken care of with matcha and sticky chai lattes, Tea Drop teas and Grounded Pleasure hot chocolates.

Cuisine: Pastries and toasties
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Industrial-chic, relaxed
Location: 1 Dispensary La, Warrnambool

Day Kitty

For nourishing vegetarian food you’ll feel good about, look no further than Day Kitty. Choose from a colourful range of salads, savoury and acai bowls, smoothies, lattes and coffee; there are plenty of vegan options too, like the nourish bowl with green goddess pesto, and they use certified organic ingredients for the majority of their menu. Check out the display cabinet for any vegan treats, and browse their small selection of pantry staples and healthy snacks to take home with you.

Cuisine: Vegetarian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Homely
Location: 52B Kepler St, Warrnambool

Jude The Cafe

Jude The Cafe, Warrnambool
Pop into the bright and welcoming cafe for a delicious brekkie. (Credit: Jude The Cafe)

From the pink signage to the white and pink tones of its Instagrammable interior, Jude the Cafe is bright, welcoming and accessible. Run by locals Leah Habel and partner Mitch Warburton, it serves a curated all-day menu that focuses on local, seasonal produce. You’ll find classics done exceptionally well, like the eggs benedict with spinach and bacon, plus plenty of yummy treats in the cake cabinet (including gluten-free options). If you like their coffee from Coffee Supreme, you can purchase a bag of beans here – the staff will even grind it for you.

Cuisine: Modern Aussie
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Cute and inviting
Location: 52A Kepler St, Warrnambool

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Koko Avenue

the whitewashed interior of Koko Avenue, Warrnambool
The cafe interior is white and minimalistic. (Credit: Koko Avenue)

Nestled amongst large-format retailers off the Princes Highway, Koko Avenue makes for an unexpectedly chic pitstop on the way in or out of Warrnambool. Expect well-presented dishes in a bright, beachy space: their all-day breakfast menu includes panko-crumbed poached eggs and housemade corn fritters, while lunch ranges from bao buns and ricotta gnocchi to an extensive cabinet selection.

Their Brekky Combo offers great value; at $16 it includes an egg, bacon and tomato relish roll, crisp hash brown and coffee by Proud Mary. There’s plenty of parking and access is step-free.

Cuisine: Modern Aussie
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Bright and refined
Location: Shop 13/1-49 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool

Rough Diamond

Rough Diamond, Warrnambool
The 1970s office building has been transformed into a thriving cafe serving delicious toasties. (Credit: Rough Diamond)

Housed in a refurbished 1970s office building, Rough Diamond is all about quality, not quantity. Their focus is on coffee and sandwiches, with premium suppliers like Small Batch Roasting Co., Schulz Organic Dairy, Hunted + Gathered and Jane Dough (they also host specialty roasters from time to time). Everyone is here for the toasties, and you should be too; the ham, cheese and pickles – Smoked Virginia ham, tasty cheese, Dijonnaise, dill pickle and roquette salad on toasted Jane Dough sourdough – really hits the spot. On a nice day, sit outside in the cute grassy patio (pooches welcome).

Cuisine: Toasties, Modern Aussie
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Communal, industrial
Location: 203 Koroit St, Warrnambool

ToTo Town

Located on a prominent corner in the historic Western Hotel building, ToTo Town is known for their great coffee by Axil Coffee Roasters – filter, batch brew and cold brew are all on offer – and the consistent quality of their food. For something a little different, try the Cilbir (Turkish eggs served on a bed of house-made garlic yoghurt, finished with mince and burnt butter), or for a lighter lunch, go for the pan-fried barramundi. If you like a drink with your lunch, they also serve local and imported wines.

Cuisine: Modern Aussie
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Charming, vibrant
Location: Unit 1/49 Kepler St, Warrnambool

Tilly Divine Kitchen & Bar

the Tilly Divine Kitchen & Bar cafe interior
This cosy cafe is a lush oasis for all-day breakfast. (Credit: Tilly Divine Kitchen & Bar)

The decor is rather divine at this cute cafe, with cosy seating and leafy wallpaper complemented by real-life foliage. Their housemade cakes pair deliciously with St Ali coffee, while their all-day breakfast menu includes the likes of corn, zucchini and haloumi fritters, several eggs benedict variations, pancakes and waffles. Tacos and salads feature on the lunch menu, and the cafe is licensed, so you can enjoy a wine or cocktail over lunch (or brunch – we won’t judge). A step-free entrance makes it an option for those with mobility issues.

Cuisine: Modern Aussie
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Bright and fun
Location: 174 Liebig St, Warrnambool

Jade Raykovski
Jade Raykovski is a freelance travel writer from Melbourne, Australia whose wanderlust began from immersing herself in the fantasy worlds of her favourite books as a kid. She started off her career as a graphic designer, before making the switch to copywriter, and now – in what you could say is the role she was always destined for – travel writer. Along with Australian Traveller, her bylines include National Geographic, BBC Travel, Escape and NZ Herald. And while she loves writing about home, she'll never pass up the chance to sip a spritz in Italy.
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8 experiences to get the most out of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road

    Louis Costello Louis Costello
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    Beyond the winding bitumen and coastal views lies another side to Victoria’s most famous route.

    There’s something hypnotic about this stretch of Victoria’s coast. Maybe it’s the way the road hugs the ocean so tightly, or how the cliffs catch the sun in colours you can’t name. Or, for local Victorians who drove this route as kids, maybe it’s the memories of winding through the impossibly tall trees as they seemingly guide you on your journey like wooden guardian angels. Most travellers know it for the 12 Apostles, but there are plenty of alternate experiences on the Great Ocean Road equally as worthy of your time.

    So, next time you’re in that neck of the woods, park that car, stretch those legs and try these experiences.

    1. Discover living culture at Budj Bim

    Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism
    Walk across the world’s oldest known aquaculture system. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Breakaway Creek’s Budj Bim Cultural Landscape is a masterclass in educational storytelling. Join a guided tour with Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism to walk across the world’s oldest known aquaculture system, where the Gunditjmara people built sophisticated eel traps and stone channels more than 6,000 years ago.

    Budj Bim’s aquaculture system predates Egypt’s pyramids by roughly 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest examples of human engineering on Earth. If that’s not enough to get your history-loving family members involved in this road trip, we’re out of ideas.

    2. Unwind in the hot springs at Warnambool

    woman relaxing at Deep Blue Hot Springs
    Let mineral-rich water heal you.

    If your legs need a break after a long drive, Deep Blue Hot Springs is your remedy. The geothermal pools sit just metres from the coastline, filled with mineral-rich water that bubbles up from deep underground. Move between open-air baths, waterfall pools and quiet zones made for meditation.

    The water in Deep Blue’s geothermal pools comes from an ancient aquifer nearly 850 metres below the Earth’s surface, which, in non-scientific terms, means it’s far more likely to have healing properties than the mineral water you’d find at the supermarket.

    3. Take to the air at Princetown

    12 Apostles Helicopters flight alternate experiences on the Great Ocean Road
    See an icon from a different view.

    You may have seen the Twelve Apostles from the trusty viewing platform, but a helicopter flight with 12 Apostles Helicopters shows you just how sprawling and rugged this coastline really is.

    The trip covers everything from Port Campbell to London Bridge (not to be confused with the UK’s own), giving you a rare chance to watch waves carving the limestone cliffs from above. It’s worth noting that the limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles are said to erode by roughly two centimetres each year, so the longer you leave it, the less of the Apostles you’ll see.

    4. Step into the past at Flagstaff Hill

    Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and Museum
    Visit a time of yore.

    Continue the tour through Warnambool at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and Museum, a recreated 19th-century port town. Hear stories from the days when shipwrecks were as common as seagulls, with an astounding 180 ships believed to have sunk along the Shipwreck Coast in less than five years.

    The night show, complete with lights, sound, and sea spray, brings the coastline’s most dramatic stories to life.

    If you’re staying the night, Simon’s Waterfront offers relaxed dining with fresh local seafood and oceanfront views. Order the catch of the day and toast to the sailors who never made it ashore.

    5. Learn to surf in Torquay, Lorne, or Anglesea

    kid having a lesson with Go Ride A Wave
    Learn how to hang 10. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Whether you’ve surfed before or can barely stand on a board, Go Ride A Wave will have you upright in no time. Torquay’s calm beaches are ideal for first-timers, while Lorne and Anglesea bring a bit more energy for those unafraid to get dunked.

    Bells Beach, just down the road from Torquay, has even hosted the world’s longest-running professional surfing competition since 1962. So, for those eager to have a gander at pros using surfboards like they’re an additional appendage, the competition usually runs sometime in autumn.

    6. Tackle the trails in Forrest

    Barwon Flow Trails Otways Flow MTB
    Hire a bike and explore MTB trails through the Otways.

    Forrest is a haven for mountain bikers thanks to an expansive network of trails through stunning natural scenery. The Forrest trail network has almost 100 kilometres of singletrack across 36 trails, so there’s something for every level of rider. That’s including more than 60 kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails winding through the Otways’ dense forest. Cycle through ancient myrtle beech trees and towering tree ferns, with smaller ferns and soft mosses forming a carpet at your feet.

    Hire a bike from Forrest MTB Hire and take your pick from easy, scenic rides to more challenging singletracks, such as Red Carpet or Rollercoaster.

    7. See wildlife up close in Apollo Bay

    bush rat on Wildlife Wonders tour
    Get help spotting the locals. (Image: Doug Gimsey)

    If spotting koalas and kangaroos in the wild feels like winning the lottery, Wildlife Wonders gives you guaranteed sightings without cages or crowds. Every visit to the sanctuary helps fund the Conservation Ecology Centre which supports endangered species across the Otways, so your business is appreciated by humans and animals alike.

    The guided walk takes you through protected Otways habitat where you might spot potoroos (or joey lookalikes for those unfamiliar with a potoroo), wallabies, and sleepy koalas lounging in the trees.

    8. Visit the Cape Otway Lightstation

    Cape Otway Lightstation
    Delve into the tales of Cape Otway Lightstation.

    Towering over the sea on a cliff above the Southern Ocean, Cape Otway Lightstation has been guiding ships since 1848. Before the lighthouse was built, Cape Otway was one of the most treacherous points on the Victorian coast, with dozens of shipwrecks occurring in its surrounding waters. Pick the right day, and you may bump into a local willing to tell you about the wreck of Eric the Red.

    While at the Cape Otway Lightstation, explore the keeper’s quarters, walk the coastal trails, and take in views that only stop short at the horizon.

    And no, contrary to popular belief, the Round the Twist lighthouse is actually located in Split Point, just shy of two hours in the direction of Melbourne. Nothing’s stopping you from embarking on a lighthouse crawl, though.

    Plan your next no-stone-unturned journey along this iconic Aussie road at visitgreatoceanroad.org.au.