9 Charming Cafes in Bright To Try Now

From a busy small-batch coffee roaster to a plant-based cafe with a cult following, the Bright cafe scene is buzzing.

On the hunt for a Bright cafe or two to visit on your next trip? Gone are the days when country towns had nothing but so-so coffee and stale croissants on offer. The thriving alpine town (and surrounding villages) boast a seriously strong cafe and coffee scene that keeps visitors and locals nourished and caffeinated all year round.

1. Wild Thyme Cafe

This much-loved breakfast haunt is a Bright cafe with a loyal following. Finding an eatery with a plant-based menu in regional Australia is a challenge, but this spot isn’t just for vegans and vegetarians. The menu features everything from buckwheat pancakes to traditional oat porridge, but there’s also smoothies, cold-pressed juices, raw cakes and kombucha on tap. There are few cafes in regional Victoria where you can add medicinal mushrooms to your chai latte, but this is one of them!

2. Blackbird Cafe

Fuel a day of High Country hiking with a hearty breakfast at this popular brunch spot. Corn fritters, baked eggs or house-made granola with fruit and yoghurt are all on the menu, as well as freshly squeezed fruit and veggie juices. Or stop in at lunchtime, find an outdoor table and enjoy burgers and steak sandwiches in the sunshine. As a fully licensed cafe, you can order a glass of vino from the all-local wine list too.

3. Food Wine Friends

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, make a beeline for this cosy cafe in the centre of town which stocks a solid range of slices, cakes, muffins, brownies and biscuits. If you’re after a meal, settle in for a bagel, frittata or savoury tart. Either way, this welcoming cafe kind of feels like you’re having a bite to eat in a friend’s living room – a true comfort while you’re away from home.

Cakes and sweet treats in cabinet at Food Wine Friends in Bright with barista making coffee in background — This cosy cafe has plenty of delicious treats to keep you coming back.

4. The Riverdeck Kitchen

This relaxed spot by the Ovens River is the ideal place to begin your break in Bright. Slip into holiday mode by starting your day with a dish from the all-day breakfast menu – the Canadian Toast is a real standout if you’re down for mixing bacon, brioche, berries and maple syrup on your plate.

a plate of avocado toast at Riverdeck Kitchen — Grab your breakfast at Riverdeck Kitchen.

The lunchtime menu is a roll call of cafe classics (think: steak sandwiches, burgers, fish and chips) with pancakes and toasties on the agenda for kids. Fancy a tipple? The drinks menu features local wines from Ringer Reef and Billy Button wineries, ales from Bright Brewery and an afternoon nap-inducing cocktail line-up. Passionfruit mojito anyone?

the surrounding green landscape outside The Riverdeck Kitchen — Dine al fresco to soak up serene nature views.

5. Sixpence Coffee

This buzzy small-batch roastery located in what was once a mechanic’s garage cranks out elite coffee, so expect it to be busy. Whether you settle in for a latte or grab a takeaway to enjoy while on the road, be sure to also pick up a sweet treat – there are pastries, muffins, doughnuts and more to choose from.

a hand holding a cup of coffee — Get your caffeine fix at Sixpence Coffee. (Image: Andy Hardy)

Can’t bear the thought of not having Sixpence Coffee in your life once your trip is over? Recreate the coffee experience back at home by buying a bag of the 3741 blend beans, named after Bright’s postcode. There’s some cool merch available too if you’re in the market for a tee, cap, tote or hoodie.

front view of Sixpence Coffee filled with customers — The cafe is always full house every morning. (Image: Andy Hardy)

6. Gum Tree Pies

After a morning of biking or bushwalking, nothing beats tucking into a pie and cake at a humble country bakery . The Bright outpost of this family-run bakery cafe is a hit with locals and visitors alike. Choose from a classic pie (steak and mushroom) or try something different like the Thai green chicken curry pie. Either way, this popular bakery with four outlets in regional Victoria is known for producing top-quality pies with golden, buttery, flaky pastry day in, day out. The slices and cakes won’t let you down either!

Gum Tree Pies cafe signage surrounded by trees in Bright — Gum Tree Pies is an ideal place for brunch.

7. Rail Trail Cafe

Pedalling the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail ? A pitstop at Porepunkah’s Rail Trail Cafe is an absolute must. Six kilometres from Bright, this laidback cafe is known for its generous portion sizes and menu stacked with Mexican dishes like breakfast burritos, quesadillas and nachos.

Grab an outdoor table in a shady spot, order a spread of your favourites and watch the cyclists come and go as they make their way along the scenic rail trail.

front of Rail Trail cafe in Bright with bicycles parked on the side — Grab a warm cup of coffee on your way.

8. Punkah Pantry

This licensed cafe and provedore in the village of Porepunkah is a reliable go-to if you’re passing through while on a road trip through the region. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, stop in for homemade pies, gourmet cakes and brews made with beans from the local roaster, Sixpence Coffee.

front view of Punka Pantry cafe, Bright — Drop by Punka Pantry on your visit to Bright.

Looking for an edible gift for someone special back at home? Punkah Pantry stocks an impressive range of olive oil, honey, preserves and more from local and neighbouring districts.

edible treats displayed on the shelves inside Punka Pantry cafe, Bright — Bring home some edible treats from the cafe.

9. Mr Pom Juice & Sanga Bar

If you’ve overdone it with a heavy meal or one too many beers the night before, start your day right with a vitamin-packed juice or smoothie from this cheery juice bar and cafe in the heart of Bright. And if you’re in the market for lunch that won’t weigh you down, its range of light, fresh fare packed with healthy ingredients will hit the spot. Planning a day of adventures in the outdoors? Grab a takeaway salad, wrap or sandwich to enjoy by the serene Ovens River.

Want more travel tips for Bright? We’ve got a round-up of top accommodation, incredible restaurants to try and wineries to visit during your stay.

From natural wonders to historical sites, we’ve rounded up Victoria’s most epic icons that deserve a place on your itinerary.

Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

From towering mountains to crystal cascades and ancient rock art sites, the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is a playground for both outdoor adventurers and nature lovers. Don’t miss the views from the highest peak Mount William or the iconic Pinnacle.

Murray River

A paddle steamer down the Murray in Echuca — The wonders of the Murray are best experienced on board a paddle steamer. (Image: Visit Victoria)

A natural icon of majestic proportions, the Murray River flows for a staggering 2700 kilometres, making it one of the world’s longest navigable rivers. Meandering through Victoria before flowing out to sea at Goolwa in South Australia, the river is home to diverse wildlife, picturesque towns and secluded creeks and beaches.

Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell

the Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road — The Twelve Apostles are a star attraction on the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

These limestone sea stacks are arguably Victoria’s most famous icon . After an $8-million upgrade to its lookout, The Blowhole near Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool (meaning breath of the whale) has recently reopened. A brand-new Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre, complete with rooftop lookout, will open in 2026.

You Yangs, Geelong

kangaroos in You Yangs — Kangaroos enjoy dusk in the You Yangs. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Rising 300-plus metres from the flat volcanic plains between Melbourne/Naarm and Geelong, the You Yangs are massive granite boulders named for the local Wadawurrung word ‘Youang’, meaning ‘big hills’. Hiking, biking, rock climbing and horse-riding are popular within this regional park.

Redwood Forest, Yarra Valley

Near the town of Warburton, an extraordinary forest of some 1500 Californian Redwoods stands among native orchids, eucalypt trees and rich birdlife. Planted in the 1930s, these 55-metre-plus trees can live for 2000 years and will grow to be some of the world’s tallest.

Wilsons Promontory, Gippsland

the Wilsons Promontory — Wilsons Promontory is home to the incredible Skull Rock formation. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The Prom, as it’s known locally, is the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. This 50,000-hectare reserve comprises granite mountains and forest, fringed by sandy beaches and surrounded by a marine park rich in marine biodiversity. It’s also home to the incredible and imposing Skull Rock formation.

Hanging Rock Reserve, Macedon Ranges

This six-million-year-old volcanic rock  was thrown into the national spotlight thanks to the 1967 novel and consequent 1975 film based on the fictional disappearance of schoolgirls in 1901. Mystery aside, visitors can walk the steep 105-metre summit, fish for trout and go twitching.

Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

exploring Sovereign Hill — Step back in time at Sovereign Hill. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Cry ‘eureka!’ at Sovereign Hill , a living museum to the prosperous Gold Rush era of the 1850s, during which Ballarat produced the most gold in the world. Visitors to this much-loved attraction can walk historic  streets, enter a gold mine and try panning for the good stuff, too.

The Great Stupa, Bendigo

Who’d have thought the largest Buddhist temple in the Western world would be tucked away in Bendigo’s bushland? Welcoming visitors to explore, this sacred Buddhist pagoda is an epicentre for Tibetan culture, architecture, art and interfaith harmony.

Cape Schanck Lighthouse, Mornington Peninsula

the Cape Schanck Lighthouse from above — Heritage-listed Cape Schanck Lighthouse. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

Ensuring the safe passage of ships in the notoriously treacherous Bass Strait since 1859, this heritage-listed lighthouse overlooks dramatic volcanic coast and wild beaches. The surrounding reserve is home to a plethora of wildlife including little penguins, seals and echidnas.

9 charming cafes in Bright for coffee, brunch and lunch