Home to some of the best breakfasts on the Central Coast, Terrigal cafes are a standout amongst their competitors.
Anyone who’s taken a stroll down the main esplanade of this gorgeous coastal location knows you’re spoilt for choice in the food department.
So, make your life a little easier when it comes to picking a spot, here’s your ultimate guide to the popular Terrigal cafes to visit for breakfast.
1. Bellyfish Café Terrigal | A beachside hangout
Hugging one end of the esplanade with stunning views of Terrigal beach is where you’ll find Bellyfish: an exceptional and long-standing Central Coast institution that sets the standard for Terrigal cafes. This pocket of luxury offers gin-cured salmon that makes eggs on toast taste a million dollars. Not to mention their new cheese and chorizo melt topped with local fried egg, basil pesto, and chilli flakes for a good punch on those frosty mornings. Offering all-day brunch at a moderate price, you can tuck into these specialities from five in the morning all week, making it the perfect place to join fellow locals and watch the sun rise.
2. Freestate | An institution
Joining the star-studded line-up of Terrigal cafes is the true and trendy Freestate. Scrubbing up nicely with fresh white interiors and rustic décor, this place is a popular Terrigal breakfast café for locals. Shutters roll up from 6am daily to serve you a strong brew next to a delicious all-day breakfast and lunch that tastes just good as its looks. From Nutella French toast with coconut ice cream to the loaded nourish bowl with beef brisket, you’re set to walk away with a full tummy without ruining the budget. For those with sensitive bellies, the team can offer gluten free, and even keto-friendly, alternatives on pretty much all meals. It’s a win for everyone.
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Terrigal Haven Café Is A Must Visit
3. Cove Cafe Terrigal | The Haven
Perched right on the edge of the Terrigal Haven’s foreshore makes Cove Cafe one of the only Terrigal cafes where you could almost dip your toes in the water. Journey across the new boardwalk and you’ll find yourself at this cosy hideaway offering breathtaking views of the turquoise cove. Trading seven days a week from 6:30am, you can sit and soak up the scenery or enjoy a takeaway thanks to their newly renovated kiosk. Hook into the crispy battered hoki with grilled prawns or venture off with the green goddess bowl home to all the healthy kicks and more. Follow it up with a signature smoothie or kick back with a glass of house labelled wine.
4. Driftwood Café Terrigal | The ultimate vibe
In amongst the OG crew of Terrigal cafes sits Driftwood, a humble and hip hangout with a local-minded and sustainable philosophy. This is the place to come for homemade loaves, artisan breads and cured delicacies unique to the Sicilian tradition. Plonk yourself on one of the handcrafted wooden chairs and tuck into a feta-filled, Mediterranean-inspired mezze plate. For the vegos’ and vegans out there, there is plenty of choice at a great price. Start with the tofu breakfast charged with chargrilled veggies and homemade relish, or the falafel burger with tangy tzatziki. It’s also omnivore-friendly, offering gourmet steak sandwiches, pulled pork burgers, and crumbed chicken on Turkish. Roam on in from 7:30am.
5. Surf Café Terrigal | The local’s choice
Taking a seat in the front row of town is Surf Cafe Terrigal. Dubbed the local’s favourite, this Terrigal cafe sits just below the surf club and is busting with early morning swimmers from 6am every day. Swing by this place for scrumptious breakfast classics without busting the bank. We always go for the heaving bacon and egg roll but the haloumi breakfast wrap is a vegie alternative that’s as delicious. Or to cure those wintery blues, try the Turkish melts named after neighbouring suburbs. The Copa will cover the basics with leg ham, cheese and tomato, whereas the Wambi is a wild delight packed with grilled chorizo, pesto, roasted tomato and cheddar cheese.
Things To Do In Terrigal BeachÂ
Okay, so you’ve chow down at one of the very best Terrigal cafes for breakfast but what next? Number one for us is to walk the new Terrigal Boardwalk that connect Terrigal esplanade to Terrigal Haven. It’s an incredible structure that opened in early 2021 and comes to life at night thanks to swanky LED lights.
If visiting between May and early August, a hike to the top of The Skillion is likely to result in some whale spotting as the migrate to Queensland. More than 30,000 humpback whales fill our waters.
And no matter the weather in Terrigal, there’s always one activity that will work: Shopping. There’s a wonderful range of Terrigal shops to choose from. A firm favourite is Miki Finn, which stocks the latest womenswear trends. Flash your Coasties Card and you’ll get 10% off. For the guys, there’s Flayme Industries. And for kids, we love Zarlak Kids.
Congratulation!