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Every unmissable Blue Mountains cafe to fuel your next weekender

Kristie Lau-Adams Kristie Lau-Adams
Offering excellent meals and cheerful hospitality, a quality Blue Mountains cafe will fuel, nourish and delight.

Whether you’re there to rummage through antiques or wander between waterfalls, a true Blue Mountains adventure always starts with a fabulous feed. During my most recent visit in June 2026, I discovered more spots for killer coffee, sunny breakfasts and languid lunching than ever before. From a nationally applauded bakery and an authentic ode to Korean cuisine, to hole-in-the-wall coffee haunts and tables among the treetops, every outstanding Blue Mountains cafe demands solid settling into. Here are my current favourites.

The shortlist

Most Instagrammable: Dolly’s Donuts
Best pastries: Black Cockatoo Bakery
Best coffee: Fidelity Coffee
Best views: The Milkbar at The Lookout Echo Point

1. Dolly’s Donuts

Dolly’s Donuts, Blue Mountains cafe
The donut menu also comes with savoury options. (Credit: Dolly’s Donuts)

Dubai chocolate, crème brulee, dulce de leche and roasted almond – the gang’s all here. Dolly’s Donuts lived up to the hype during my visit, a cute shopfront on a leafy street that dazzles with glossy goodness from the moment you spy its enormous glass cabinet. Expect to queue – these guys are so beloved that they opened a second Bowral location in September 2025 – for their doughy delights as well as trendy iced matchas and tiramisu lattes, coffees of every milk description, and gelato spanning Earl Grey and Berry Pavlova. It’s open Wednesday to Sunday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Cuisine: Sweets and coffee

Average price: $

Atmosphere: Busy, always

Location: 5 Wascoe Street, Glenbrook

2. Elsie’s

Elsie's Cafe, Blue Mountains
Tuck into seasonally charged menu plates. (Credit: Elsie’s Cafe Glenbrook)

While you’re cruising through Glenbrook for a Dolly’s hit, consider a heartier feed at Elsie’s, which opened in March 2025 and quickly became a local’s favourite. A seasonally charged menu plates with abundance, including the always popular fluffy hotcake (mine was a vanilla pineapple but the dish is constantly reinvented) drizzled with maple syrup, French toast, loaded toasties and flavour-punched curries. The cherry on top? They use stellar Single O beans. It’s open weekdays from 6am until 3:30pm and weekends until 3pm.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Friendly

Location: 23 Park Street, Glenbrook

3. Kickaboom

Kickaboom, Blue Mountains cafe
Grab a coffee from Kickaboom.

The menu at Kickaboom operates in the light and shade of a balanced diet. On one side, choose from house-made granola at breakfast and an Indonesian-inspired Gado Gado salad for lightness at lunch or, on the more indulgent side, allocate your daily calorie intake to the fried chicken waffle. With co-owner Dylan Johnson having cut his teeth at some of Sydney’s most iconic cafes including Paramount Coffee Project (Kickaboom belongs to him and his wife, Alisha), you can expect everything to be just as it should be. It’s open daily from 7am to 2:30pm.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$$

Atmosphere: Family-friendly

Location: Shop 1/6 Ross Street, Glenbrook

4. Black Cockatoo Bakery

One of my favourite Katoomba cafes, Black Cockatoo Bakery is a hit in Lawson, too. Across its two locations, this Blue Mountains cafe nails plump sourdough and blistery pastries like double chocolate cookie sandwiches and lemon meringue tarts. Their daily rotating “pastry schedule"  offered alongside a daily rotating “bread" schedule – got me especially excited when I hit up the Lawson outpost on a Friday. I won at life with a ham and gruyere croissant that disappeared in mere moments. Single O beans across both locations also kept the bar high. Both locations are open from Wednesday to Sunday, 7:30am until 2pm.

Cuisine: Bread and pastries

Average price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Family-friendly and typically a sell-out

Location: 165 Katoomba Street, Katoomba; Shop 1, 1 Staples Crescent, Lawson

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5. Fidelity Coffee

Walking down from Woolworths to the main stretch of Katoomba, the smell of strong beans hooks me. I step into the warmly lit Fidelity Coffee with high hopes, and am not disappointed. The Blue Mountains cafe utilises grounded delights from all over the globe, including Utopia Coffee from Ethiopia and Process Coffee from Northern Ireland, but it’s their own Fidelity label that fills my cup both literally and figuratively. There’s also an avocado or raisin and macadamia toast from Black Cockatoo Bakery on the menu, plus some sweets. It’s open every day from 6am to 1pm.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $

Atmosphere: Family-friendly and serious about coffee

Location: Shop 3/177-179 Katoomba Street, Katoomba

6. Tempus

Tempus Katoomba, Blue Mountains cafe
Indulge in seasonally led dishes at Tempus Katoomba.

A photo-perfect facade makes Tempus unmissable while strolling the main stretch of Katoomba, but it’s the seasonally led dishes that impress during my visit. Offering not one but three unique toasties, including lamb and harissa yoghurt and zucchini with ricotta, also tantalised my taste buds. Breakfast starts from 7am and runs until 2pm but if you miss the window, you’ll catch the team’s evening service from Friday to Monday when Tempus swings into dinner mode.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Trendy

Location: 66 Katoomba Street, Katoomba

7. The Milkbar at The Lookout Echo Point

The Lookout Echo Point, Katoomba
Come for a feed and stay for the scenery. (Credit: The Lookout Echo Point)

The spot to seek if you’re picturing lunch overlooking the mountains, The Milkbar at The Lookout Echo Point is worth a visit for the views alone. Stay for a feed at this Blue Mountains cafe though because the casual vibe makes for such a wonderful unrushed spot to soak up those high-cliff surroundings. Expect breakfast stars like a bacon and egg roll and toasties, as well as lunch classics like fish and chips and burgers. It’s open from 9am to 5pm daily.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Scenic and breezy

Location: 33 Echo Point Road, Katoomba

8. Cassiopeia

an avo toast at Cassiopeia, Blue Mountains
Order breakfast staples such as avo on toast. (Credit: Cassiopeia)

Bean devotees will pick the scent of a beautifully brewed coffee from great distances. Luckily, with Cassiopeia’s three espresso bars, a mountain-born coffee brand is never far away. Established in 2006, Cassiopeia’s specialty brews are sourced from the best-quality beans to service the Mountains community and beyond. You can caffeinate at Katoomba, Springwood and Wentworth Falls, where you may sip and bite (think pastries like Reuben buns and chocolate croissants), as well as purchase beans to take home. Check out the website for store-specific opening hours.

Cuisine: Pastries and coffee

Average price: $

Atmosphere: Laidback, across all venues

Location: 79 Lurline Street, Katoomba; 2/127 Macquarie Road, Springwood; 21 Plantation Street, Wentworth Falls

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9. The Wayzgoose Diner

flowerpot scone at The Wayzgoose Diner
Enjoy a scone served in a flowerpot.

The Wayzgoose Diner nails comfort food, made from scratch with local produce and served amid green gingham tablecloths and sorbet-pink cups. It’s more-is-more diner-style fare spanning toasties, burgers and bagels before going full indulgent via loaded fries and, because it’s the mountains, a scone served in a flowerpot for $8.90. It’s a menu that seems to suggest there’s nothing that can’t be improved with fluffy cream or tomato ketchup, so walk on in for rib-sticking favourites. It’s open daily until 5pm.

Cuisine: American-inspired comfort food

Average price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Fun-fuelled

Location: 174 Leura Mall, Leura

10. The Grumpy Baker

savoury pies at The Grumpy Baker, Blue Mountains cafe
Swing by The Grumpy Baker for a baked treat.

This big city import from Sydney’s Oxford Street looks as though it has always occupied the weatherboard shopfront of its Bilpin digs. Swing by The Grumpy Baker for a baked goodie, such as a traditional sourdough loaf, pain au chocolat or chocolate brownie, enjoyed with a Single O coffee at the window seat as the sun beams in. It’s the perfect way to fuel your mountain explorations, open from 6:30am to 5pm daily.

Cuisine: Pastries and coffee

Average price: $

Atmosphere: Bustling

Location: 2481 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin

11. Sanwiye Korean Cafe

It’s not a spot for coffee but if you’re craving a bibimbap during your Blue Mountains escape, duck into the home-kitchen-feeling Sanwiye Korean Cafe right near Black Cockatoo Bakery. It’s an unfussy set-up, just simple timber tables in a square dining room on the main street’s corner, but the food is wonderful. Highlights include the Omu-Rice, a traditional stir-fry topped with an omelette, but you can’t miss a bibimbap topped with a fried egg and sesame seeds, because it will take your visit even further away from home. It’s open from 12pm, Tuesday to Sunday.

Cuisine: Korean

Average price: $$

Atmosphere: Transportational

Location: 172 Katoomba Street, Katoomba

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Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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The tastiest new players on Newcastle’s dining scene you need to try

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

    When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

    aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw
    Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

    Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

    1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

    pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle
    Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

    Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB, the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

    Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

    Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe.

    2. Destination dining

    Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw
    Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca, which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

    One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie, the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

    Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

    3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

    people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths
    Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

    What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

    Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach. Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen, which is open from 6am.

    Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse.

    You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach, where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

    Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

    4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

    couple eating at Flotilla newcastle
    Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

    In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

    Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

    Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

    5. Newcastle nightlife

    Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw
    Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

    As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

    If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne, Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s.

    Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.