Central Coast Locals’ Favourites

Central Coast Locals’ Favourites

In every issue, we catch up with a local Coastie who shares with our readers all of their most favourite places in their local hoods and the wider Central Coast to Eat, Drink and Play. We love getting the insider scoop on what’s hot and what they love. After all, is there anything better than local knowledge?  We think not.

So, as we welcome 2025 we meet two more epic local Coasties who welcomed Coasties Mag into their worlds. We’re stoked to intro Caylee Ashworth from Socially Awkward taking front and centre in our most recent (and biggest ever* Coasties Mag) Summer 2024/25 issue.  Plus, there’s a few local faces from the archives if you scroll down!

* read our biggest issue of Coasties Mag right here.

Local Faves by Caylee Ashworth

Caylee Ashworth is the queen of Socially Awkward, her Central Coast-based social media management business – @sociallyawkwardaus. Caylee is a lover of lattes, beach walks and matching sets. Always with a smile on her face, this stunner is a social media visionary… that might just be the missing piece to your business?  

Fill my cup

No morning feels quite right without my daily stop at The Daily Coffee Brew. Coffee’s always on point, the toasties are to die for, and the friendly team never fails to brighten my day. I leave with a big smile and my cup filled.

Fill my wardrobe

Terrigal’s Miki Finn has something for every occasion, which is a blessing and a curse. Even if I pop in just to chat with the lovely owner, Kelly, I always walk out with a new outfit. I have an addiction to matching sets (yes, I could have worse addictions), and the girls always know just how to feed it. If you too share this addiction be sure you have a Coasties Card as Miki Finn offers locals a deal through there – see here. 

Fill my fridge

BamVino Deli and BamVino Cellars at Erina Heights have my heart. The enormous selection of cheeses, meats and international wine and spirits always impresses. Their knowledge and cheeky taste tests never go astray. My go-to – their truffle manchego cheese and a bottle of Malbec.

Fill my appetite

With cocktails that are too easy to drink, Asian Fusion that is extremely tasty, and a killer playlist, Coco Bar and Dining in Terrigal is the perfect spot to kick back, cocktail in hand, with the sound of the ocean nearby.

Central Coast locals share their faves with Coasties Mag

Local Faves by Kristy Austin

Kristy Austin knows a thing or two about uncovering hidden gems on the Coast. After swapping the Blue Mountains for beach life five years ago, she’s been busy curating experiences that celebrate local makers, growers, and communities through her agency, we are neighbourgood. (If this sounds familiar, it might be because Kristy’s bringing Naturellement to the Coast on 17–18 May!)

Eat & Drink
Can’t ever go past Rigatoni for Toni, the pasta pop-up run by Tristan Fraser.

Rigatoni moonlights at Like Minds in Avoca, but my favourite is his kitchen takeover of Bar Toto (which doubles as my favourite place to drink on the Coast).

Another must-visit? Sulo’s Shish & Pide. Born from the success of Chef Sulo’s legendary pop-ups (and his award-winning fine dining restaurant Safran), this new spot serves up charcoal-cooked meats and Turkish-style pide that locals can’t get enough of. Just follow the waft of charcoal-cooked meats down the Galleria laneways!

John Ralley’s Bush River Kitchen nestled on the Hawkesbury River is another one to watch. An off-grid, wood fired dining experience where he teams up with chefs from across Australia to create one-off events.

Play
Supporting local farmers, makers and producers via farmers markets or visiting their farm gates to pick up directly from these excellent producers is a weekly must.

KEEP READING: 11 Epic Central Coast Markets to Visit

Local Faves by Kim & Mitch

In Autumn 2024, we caught up with Long Jetty locals and owners of the super cute institution that was The Cacti Folk in Long Jetty (yes, we too shed a few tears when these guys made the courageous decision to close their doors and take on new ventures toward the end of 2024). Parents to four (yes, four!) kids under eight years old, Kim (the Irish one) and Mitch (the Coastie from Kincumber) gave us some insight into their hood faves on the Coast.

Eat and Drink

When we manage to lock down a babysitter we are big fans of our gorgeous new tapas spot in the Jetty, Jaspers. But, if we’re honest though, we do far more kid friendly takeaway dinners than dining out. And,  we love that we get to go down to the lake edge or beach (the beauty of Long Jetty living, we have the best of both worlds) for sunset picnic dinners.  Shelly Beach Golf Club is within walking distance from our home and kid friendly, so it’s our eat-out option (with kids).

Coffee is life, would you expect anything less from parents of four? Flour and Co is our absolute favourite, the coffee, the baked goods and of course their coffee beans for our machine at home. We do also adore Mr Sha Sha’s for brews and brekky.  Upstairs Wines are a must for wine and entertaining at home.

Play

We’re beach lovers! When we’re taking the pup it’s always Shelly. The kids are learning surf now so Blue Bay or Toowoon are ideal. The new slide at the Rocket Park has been a big hit with our kids.

We have a soft spot for our local Long Jetty Markets, as that’s how The Cacti Folk started back in 2021 (and we love to shop small). As well as the Long Jetty Farmers Markets up at The Clam.

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY: The Best Spots on The Central Coast for a Picnic

Local Coastie Faves

Local Faves by Dave Sparx

Meet Dave. And meet Stella, his shiny, silver trailer dishing up the bangers! Picture fluffy buns & sausages from local makers, paired with Dave’s own 100% handcrafted pickles, sauces and salts. Coastie Dave, his partner Amanda and their two have recently taken Stella mobile! Follow their socials to find out where they’ll pop up next.

One of our favourite spots for coffee, (besides brewing our own at home) is Kafich Espresso Bar in West Gosford. Maybe it’s our love for food trucks, but we can’t resist their delicious coffee. Plus, the kids adore their Burek! And, the folks there are wonderful.

For a family meal or just a relaxing afternoon, Margarita Daze at Umina Beach is a top pick. After a long swim at the beach, there’s nothing better than enjoying a refreshing Margarita or a cold beer with their mouth-watering Szechuan Squid. The kids love the pizza and pink lemonade.

We bliss out at La Tierra Curativa. It’s definitely our happy place. We also love Central Coast Float for a rejuvenating float, sauna, ice bath and massage. Both are run by beautiful humans who we love to support.

Then there are the stunning bush walks around Brisbane Waters National Park and Woy Woy Bay, Kariong, Pearl Beach, and Patonga with the kids. We’re grateful to watch the changing flowers and plants through the seasons and connecting with the lands of the Central Coast.

KEEP READING: Join us as we Walk Patonga to Pearl Beach

Local Hood Favourites on the Central Coast

Local Faves by Nikki Butterfield

Now, let’s meet Superwoman Nikki Butterfield, at the helm of not one but two Coastie businesses; Coastal Athlesuire & Co. and The Coastal Printing Co., while also being a mum to three young’uns. In her words, “I feel like my social life mostly happens at the school pick-up!” Anyone else out there relate much?

Other than at pick-up, you’ll find Nikki’s friendly face at local Long Jetty and Terrigal Beach markets (run by Browse Events) chatting up a storm and selling her uber-comfy activewear. As a Gorokan local, you’ll also find her at haunts across the northern parts of our Coast.

Eat and Drink

We can’t go past The Lavender Goat at Charmhaven – delicious food and coffee. Perfect for those sneaky mum catch ups when you are kid-free. Wallarah Bay Recreation Club is our go to, because, who doesn’t love a Sunday raffle? Our kids are obsessed.  For those rare nights we don’t want to cook (we love cooking and a barbecue on the smoker), Nanacha Thai Restaurant in Gorokan is a favourite with the whole fam. 

Play

Norah Head Rockpool followed by a walk down past the Norah Head Lighthouse onto the beach for the kids to run about and look for sea creatures is our summer weekend go-to.  

When I’m not playing mum taxi and ferrying my kids to various sports we’re hanging out at Wallarah Point Peace Park. The playground is epic. We also recently checked out Sloties at Charmhaven which was brilliant fun for kids of all ages. 

KEEP READING: Step Inside Coastal Living: Hunter Homes’ New Chelsea Display Home at Wyee