The 60 Best Central Coast Cafes Everyone Should Visit

The Central Coast is pretty spoiled when it comes to it’s cafes. 

Fresh and thoughtfully prepared food, specialized coffee, trendy atmospheres and sociable service are all parts of what has made our ever-growing cafe scene receive a lot of attention in recent years. 

Which ones are the most worthy of your time and dollar? For the weekend hit list, we’ve revised the 60  best cafes on the Central Coast NSW ready to be enjoyed.

Long Jetty Cafes to Visit

Modern Organic, Long Jetty

Recently having changed owners,  Modern Organic has an incredible, secret courtyard at the back of the café that feels a million miles away from the busy main road that runs through Long Jetty. It’s a tranquil spot but that’s no surprise from Modern Organic as they’re all about tranquillity. You can do yoga here and meditation. Or just chow down on their super fresh menu, which is focused on organic fare.

The Glass Onion Society, Long Jetty

This is the leading café on the Central Coast. People come from afar as Sydney to visit. The reason? Well for one, The Glass Onion Society in Long Jetty is just pretty cool. Mix-matched furnishing, local art on the walls, an incredible menu for both breakfast and lunch and, it’s universally accepted, the best coffee you’ll get on the Central Coast. If you’re looking for a trendy café that could rival the Melbourne scene, then this is it.

Green Tangerine, Long Jetty

Just across the road from the Glass Onion is Green Tangerine and it isn’t scared of a bit of tough competition. There’s a very similar vibe to Glass Onion, with a collective mix of furnishings, outdoor seating and an eye on coffee. But what stands Green Tangerine apart is that it’s, in fact, a bakery turned café. The sourdough is made fresh on-site every day and the French-style pastries are outrageous. In a good way. Oh, and this is the café with the Long Jetty mural down the side.

The Morning Coffee Society, Long Jetty

But first…coffee. This is the slogan of Long Jetty’s recent café addition, and you can see why. Located in the heart of this lively, artsy suburb, The Morning Coffee Society is all about its coffee. Order the bacon and egg + coffee special between 6-8am to ease you into your day, or choose from the variety of delicious café treats and drinks available.

Best Cafes Central Coast: Northern End

The Lavender Goat, Charmhaven

Arriving at late 2020, The Lavender Goat is an exceptional Central Coast café. The owner Kim has worked with some of the leading coffee exporters in Australia so she’s a self-confessed coffee nerd. But everything on the menu is outstanding. We love the peanut-butter smoothie bowl that tastes like Snickers, with fresh flowers and candied nuts on top.

Duck Duck Moose, Wyong

This completely cute laneway cafe uses Glitch coffee beans which you’ll likely love so much that you’ll want to buy a bag for $40 a pop. No judgement how quickly you fly through these. But Duck Duck Moose isn’t just about the coffee. They have an extensive breakfast menu with the all regulars and what stands it apart is the incredible cakes they bake daily. Large apple tarts or chunky muffins.

Hearts & Minds Cafe, Toukley

So much more than a cafe, this is the outpost to the Hearts & Minds Barber Emporium which is all about addressing mental health while also getting slick shave and haircut. The Hearts & Minds Cafe has the same vibe, bringing Fat Poppy Roasters coffee, breakfast wraps, rolls and bowls, and an authentic check in to see how you and your day is going. Coffee with heart.

Rise Mofo, Toukley

It might only be a hole-in-the-wall but it’s one of the coolest holes-in-the-walls we’ve ever seen. Rise Mofo is a grab-and-go café on the far end of Main Road in Toukley, as if you’re almost going in Noraville. Their bacon and egg rolls are next level. And they use a Newcastle blend from Unison Coffee Roasters. Oh so good.

Beach Haus, Norah Head

This beachfront café has been serving coffee to locals and tourist alike since the start of time. In most recent years, The Norah Head Beach Haus has expanded their menu with a firm focus on health. There’s wellness bowls, raw treats and buckwheat waffles. Oh and free yoga on the lawn outside on a Saturday.

The Island Café, Norah Head

So dedicated to ensuring their locals were happy, the team behind The Island Café put on a coffee tasting morning before opening. So you can blame them if you’re not into the coffee. Or you can just arrive at lunch and enjoy a crisp glass of wine with your towering burger. That’s their best-selling menu item, after all.

The Entrance Cafes to Visit

Usui, The Entrance

Situated beside the sweepingly beautiful ocean Lagoon in the Entrance, Usui’s middle name is honesty. With it’s proud support of local artisans, growers and suppliers, and its wholesome, Japanese-influenced menu containing only the most organic ingredients, this is the place to go for a refreshing, homely experience. Browse the art along the walls whilst enjoying some of the café’s hand-made fruit frappes, cakes and sweets!

Albie’s coffee bar, The Entrance

It doesn’t get more picturesque than this. Located right on the tip of The Entrance beside Tuggerah Lake’s channel, Albie’s hole-in-the-wall coffee bar is the perfect place to grab a coffee, toastie and pastry before going for a scenic stroll along Picnic Point Reserve.

Toowoon Bay Cafes, Central Coast

Flour & Co, Toowoon Bay

Not so much a café but a grab-and-go coffee spot. But Flour & Co have their eye on superior coffee and the best raw treats in the area. There’s an incredible range of flourless, vegan cakes that ensure you’ll quickly become a repeat customer. We enjoy our takeout down at the waters of Toowoon Bay, a short distance away. A really special Central Coast beach.

Bay Organics, Toowoon Bay

The only café on the Toowoon Bay strip to have seating, Bay Organics has some seriously healthy options. There’s smoothie bowls, salad bowls and everything in between. This is high quality healthy food. Oh and the coffee is stellar also.

The Village Kiosk, Toowoon Bay

Talk about prime location!  The Village Kiosk in Toowoon is situated right underneath the surf lifesaving club and overlooks those dreamy ocean blues that Toowoon is so well known for.  Serving up brews, delish breaky and lunch options with plenty of outdoor seating.  This cafe has it going on.

Cafes in Bateau Bay 

Local Hero, Bateau

Local Hero is the baby born of Coasties Elisha and Caleb, who have spent years working in the Sydney coffee industry building their first project with Coffee Curators. What we love about these guys – other than their unique toasties and delicious hot drinks – is their broad selection of retail products. From coffee beans and milks to mugs and brewers, Local Hero supplies all the equipment you need to be your own coffee hero.

Café Mocha, Bateau

This fresh little beach-inspired café wasn’t voted Food Guru’s best café in Bateau Bay 2020 for nothing. Try its signature Asian Style omelette as you recline back on palm-printed pillows and sip on a cold smoothie. Whether you’re there for it’s bright, coastal design, delicious menu or simply a chat with the staff, Café Mocha has something for everyone.

Cafes in Forresters Beach

The Pantry, Forresters Beach

Experienced café and restaurant owners Nick and Tara have poured their heart and soul into this beautiful poolside venue – and you can tell. With its lovingly researched coffee and cocktail menu (be sure to try the “Love by the Pool” cocktail!), all-day brunch options and warm service, you’ll be sure to have a special experience at The Pantry.

Drift Coffee Kazbah, Forresters Beach

What we love about this place – aside from its spectacular Avo smash – is its fun and energetic staff and optional al-fresco seating. With its own courtyard, this cafe provides a wonderful experience for those who like to take their coffee outdoors and with a warm welcome.

Terrigal Cafes To Visit

Bellyfish, Terrigal

This Terrigal café has been a favourite with tourists and locals alike. That’s thanks to Bellyfish‘s prime location opposite Terrigal Beach. They’ve also always had their eye on the three most important things when it comes to thriving as a Coast cafe: Amazing coffee, great food and seamless service. Try the pancakes. It’s criminal not to.

Island Time, Terrigal

If you’re looking for a bit more of a chilled vibe, as Bellyfish does tend to get busy, then a few doors up is one of our personal favourites.  Island Time manages to be brilliant for breakfast, lunch or afternoon cocktails as its also licenced.

The Cove, Terrigal Haven

With some of the best views on the Coast, The Cove in Terrigal Haven has been popular for over two decades. And now found at the end of the Terrigal Boardwalk, it’s likely to never slow down. We like this café for lunch as the burgers are out of this world. And this is a licenced café also.

Freestate, Terrigal

Situated just across from Terrigal beach and immersed in the beach-lifestyle, this cafe has something for everyone (including those little nippers with $7 brekkies!) It’s hard to pick a favourite on this menu, but the baked Nutella waffles have got to be up there.

Parklife, Terrigal

Points for location must be given to this cute cafe – in the heart of Terrigal right beside a lagoon, skatepark and playground simultaneously, it’s a great place to enjoy either with the fam or by yourself. Extra points for the menu, too – that falafel bowl is hard to pass up! In the end, it’s points all round at Parklife.

Sal and Co, Wamberal

Brekkie, burgers and coffee. It’s all you need. Sal and Co go above and beyond however, providing some of the most filling and delicious cafe meals in the area with its all day menu designed to get those spirits running high. Try the frazzle dazzle fritters for an especially fun start to the day.

Avoca Cafes to Visit

Like Minds, Avoca

With its incredible mural on the outside, Like Minds is a must-visit Central Coast café. The café inside is a little on the small size but there’s a big garden and benches just outside the front. The coffee is outstanding and the eats are fresh. You never know what you’ll get until there, with the menu rotating with what is in season. Also, Like Minds hosts falafel and pasta nights on Fridays. Check their website for the details.

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The Boy & The Rose, North Avoca

Tucked away in the backstreets of North Avoca is this absolute gem of a Central Coast cafe . In mid 2021, The Boy & The Rose had a bit of a facelift, with big bay window seating, Moroccan-style tile statement backwall and luxury furnishings. At its heart though is still great coffee and super healthy eats. The acai bowl is out of this world but really, everything on the menu is a winner.

Point Café, Avoca

Opening as the sun rises, Point Café is a favourite coffee spot for the early-morning Avoca Beach ocean swimmers. But with it’s prime location, right on the beach front, it’s perhaps no surprise that the Point is busy all day, every day. And no matter what time of year. The lunch menu is much more restaurant-style than café. The soft crab tacos are delicious. And it’s licenced here so grab yourself a cold one.

Avoca Sands Café, Avoca

A personal favourite of ours at Coasties is Avoca Sands Café. In fact, we think our coffee addiction is keeping this spot afloat. Extra points as they roast their own beans. But freshness is the name of the game at Avoca Sands. Freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh seafood and again, another licenced spot. The cocktails are perfect after a swim in the ocean.

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Copacabana Cafes to Visit

The Bees Knees Eatery, Copacabana

The place to be in Copacabana! The best cold drip, ice cream and cafe favourites aren’t the only things this cafe serves – they also offer amazing views of the stunning turquoise waters just across the road. Use your Coasties card here to get a buy-one, get-one-free special when you purchase a scoop of its delicious ice cream!

Burnt Honey, Long Jetty and Copacabana

This cafe does it all! Not only does Burnt Honey offer the best selection of home-baked croissants, pastries, biscuit jars and sandwiches, it also hosts baking workshops designed to show you the behind-the-scenes processes involved in making their delicious treats.

Macs Beach Cafe, Macmasters

The best. Seriously. If your ideal morning or lunchtime outing includes eating a delicious, filling meal sitting in an al-fresco spot overlooking the ocean, before going for a swim along the beach or pool afterwards, then Macs Beach Cafe is the place to be. Trying the BIG BLT on a Turkish roll or going for the mouth-watering acai bowl with roasted granola is a must (though it’s entire menu is spectacular.)

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Gosford Cafes to Visit

Legend Coffee and Culture, West Gosford

Whether you like your coffee bold or light, dark or sweet, fruity or with a maple-flavoured tinge, Legend Coffee and Culture has a blend for you. It is the one-stop shop for any at-home coffee barista, containing dozens of tools necessary for the art of coffee-making. It even has its own merch! Also, make sure to try the range of pastries!

The Good Bits, Gosford

Located in Mann Street, Gosford, this polished café is beloved to all those who love a sweet start to the day. You can never go wrong here with its vast array of almond, chocolate and jam croissants, muffins, Portuguese tarts and cinnamon scrolls, or with its fresh pressed juices and cosy interior.

South End Social, Gosford 

Have your breakfast and lunch in style when visiting the stunning South End Social cafe in Mann Street, Gosford. Think of a refreshing interior filled with sage green seats, an abundance of pot plants, wide, open windows and a tiled bar. Then combine this image with the mouth-watering thought of the cafe’s chilli pumpkin scrumpet and South End Sunrise cocktail. Is this heaven? It might be pretty close.

Three Trees Cafe, Wyoming 

It doesn’t get more local than this. With a friendly, community-oriented team that looks after its customers, Three Trees café also supports its environment by sourcing ingredients locally. The organic La Tartine sourdough comes straight out of Somersby, the coffee is Pablo and Rusty’s’ (a central-coast based team focused on sustainability!) and the fruit and veg is from Chapmans in Wyoming. Combined together in a delicious menu and served in a homely, beautiful space, these are some of the reasons why Three Trees Cafe is the place to be.

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Cafes Central Coast: Erina & Surrounds

Glee Coffee Roasters, Erina and Wyong

It doesn’t matter which Glee Coffee Roasters you visit, either in Erina Heights or in Wyong, you’ll always get the best coffee in the region. Seriously, it’s why so many cafes on this list also stock Glee Coffee beans. This is a coffee-bean-loving institution. Best of all, the takeout ice coffee comes in a natural plastic cup so it can be recycled.

New Heights Café, Erina

New Heights Café opened at the height of the pandemic in 2020 but that hasn’t stopped it from gaining quite the loyal following. There’s a real community feel to this Central Coast café, with a true focus on stocking local produce. In the summer months, they also do a supper club.

Kew Dining, Erina

Oh, yes, Kew Dining is pretty as a picture, set to the side of the wonderful Ken Duncan Gallery. But there’s substance behind its good lucks. Kew Dining isn’t just one of the best spots for breakfast and lunch, but also does an incredible high tea on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Meticulously prepared and exquisitely served, everything looks and tastes truly stunning here.

ILYA, Erina (insert internal link)

Café by day, restaurant by night, the Central Coast’s new dining experience is on a mission to celebrate every day, event and function with its high quality menu and outstanding coffee. Try the special ILYA in-house roasted coffee in the morning or pop over for Monday pasta night. Absolutely fantastic.

Loo Loo’s Coffee Warehouse, Kincumber

We’ll be honest, we’re also pretty prone to dropping in to the Loo Loo’s kiosk at Macmasters also.  Napoli-style coffee at its best, with small eats like freshly-baked muffins or toasties. The range of things to eat and drink might be tight but everything that’s on offer is created to an incredibly high standard.

Kincumber Post Cafe, Kincumber

It doesn’t help that our office is close to this outstanding coffee spot so we spend a lot of time there. But let’s be real, if we had to travel to get our Kincumber Post Café coffee hit, we would. Bean? Glee Coffee Roasters. Their specials menu is also amazing, with the likes of fish cakes or chunky pie, enjoyed in the garden. This is also a great cafe for kids as there’s a sectioned off play area with kitchen play.

Sweet Caroline, East Gosford

These guys roast their own blend called Mojo. It’s a delight. If you prefer your coffee to be the basis of an espresso martini, visit on a Friday and Saturday night. But it isn’t just about the coffee. The owners of Sweet Caroline are Italian and create the most authentic baked eggs in Nonna’s sauce you’ll find on the Central Coast. Also, if you’re a Coasties Card member you receive 10% off all day, every day.

Cafes Central Coast: The Peninsula 

Daley’s Kitchen, Daley’s Point 

Okay, not quite the Peninsula but if you’re heading that way you’re like to pass this outstanding gem of a cafe and juice bar in Daley’s Point. The space inside and out of Daley’s Kitchen is super trendy, with colourful art by local artists found on the walls inside. The brunch menu is packed with Insta-worthy dishes and the juices and smoothies are out of this world.

Lords of Pour, Ettalong

This Ettalong café might just be one of the coolest on the peninsula. Lords of Pour can be found just up from The Galleria. The menu is packed with all the breakfast usuals but the allure here is the coffee. These guys know their coffee. You can even go bottomless batch brew here. Why not test that ‘ol heart of yours?

Cafe Ronto, Umina

Cafe Ronto has only just recently celebrated its one-year anniversary in the heart of Umina, but what a year it has been! It’s owner, Gary Ronto, received his qualification as a chef from one of the most prestigious cooking schools in Hungary, and has proved his expertise undoubtedly with his vibrant and flavoursome menu. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, try the Banoffee waffle –  otherwise the Truffle Benedict is always a winner. It is Lucky Gary fell in love with Australia and the Coast and decided to bring his talents to us.

Coast 175, Ettalong

With it’s white-wash walls, beachy yellow-stripped awning and outdoor seating, Coast 175 is the perfect coastal cafe. The pancakes are piled high with fresh fruits and are a crowd pleaser. Campos coffee is served at Coast, there’s incredible smoothies and iced coffee.

Young Barons Food Store, Woy Woy

Once a restaurant, Young Barons pivoted during the pandemic to a food store with on-site cafe. You can sit in their pretty-as-a-picture courtyard and enjoy Italian eats, magnificent coffee and an ever-changing menu. If the chicken schnitty sandwich is on the menu, please get it. Absolutely life changing. But so are the pastries baked fresh each morning.  Top tip: Get the ready-made lasagne to go. It’s a brilliant family feed without the fuss.

Gnostic Mana, Woy Woy

There’s plenty of cafes in Woy Woy to choose from but a firm favourite for us has to be Gnostic Mana, which is found on the Gnostic corner towards Woy Woy Fisherman’s Wharf. This Central Coast café has plenty of vegie options if you’re a vegetarian, with their fresh falafel at lunch being incredibly popular. There’s a small courtyard as well so plenty of indoor seating.

Link & Pin, Woy Woy

What we love about the Link & Pin in Woy Woy is that it comes to life when the sun goes down, with live bands, stellar cocktails and hearty burgers. The owners are trying to breathe life back into the music scene on the Coast and are doing a brilliant job. If burgers and bands aren’t your thing, head over for brunch in their sunny courtyard. It’s incredible peaceful in there first thing in the morning.

Unique Cafes Central Coast

Bamboo Buddha Café and Nursery, Holgate

The most unique café on the Central Coast is undoubtedly Bamboo Buddha Café and Nursery. Found on the back lanes of Holgate, plunged into the Central Coast Hinterland, Bamboo Buddha is purely a vegetarian café. The vegie burger is one of the best in NSW, as is the spicy tofu scramble. The juices are freshly squeezed and there’s kombucha on tap. Also, a great spot for kids as there’s a pond full of fish to feed.

Bateau Beach Café, Bateau

The Mexican bowl is why we visit. It’s packed with grilled chicken, Mexican beans, avo and a few corn chips. The dressing is zingy. But really, anything at Bateau Beach Café is brilliant. There’s not much indoor seating but a huge covered outdoor area with the heaters firing during the winter months. And this café is right opposite the foreshore walk so you can jump on before or after.

This Little Piggy, Point Claire

Every dish at This Little Piggy is packed with a bright array of vegies. Seriously, the eggs on toast come with avo, dukkah, feta and rocket with prosciutto. The avo on toast comes with peas, beetroot relish and snow pea tendrils. Every dish is taken to another level here. There’s also an Erina outpost of the same café.

The Daily Coffee Brew, Berkeley Vale

Recently opening their doors in the industrial estate out the back of Berkeley Vale the Daily Coffee Brew is an oasis not to be missed.  Stocking the Coast’s (and Australia’s) favourite pies from Shhmoakesy’s Gourmet is reason alone to visit but shouldn’t be.  These guys are serious about their coffee and are community orientated often collabing with other local businesses in the area.

Where next? Why not check out the best restaurants to visit on the Central Coast right now.