The dreamiest cafes in Yamba for slow mornings

Kristie Lau-Adams Kristie Lau-Adams
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A top-notch cuppa, seasonal produce and a generous dollop of sea breeze — the best cafes in Yamba absolutely nail the good life.

Slow mornings spent soaking up the coastline over a stellar cup of joe – is there anything more desirable on a long-awaited beach break? You’re spoiled for choice in Yamba, one of the NSW North Coast’s shining stars, as outstanding AM pit-stops dot the beach town. From undiscovered gems to the most popular haunts around, your all-important caffeine and fresh, bountiful meals are found at the best cafes in Yamba.

The shortlist

Best family-friendly spot: Beachwood Cafe

Best for vegetarian: Angourie Cafe & Wine Bar

Best views: The Kiosk Yamba

Best hidden gem: Bowen’s Delicatessen & Fine Foods

1. Gather

the cafe exterior at Gather, Yamba
The aptly named cafe is an ideal spot for friends to gather.

Perched high above Main Beach in the bustling hub that encompasses some of Yamba’s best restaurants (think BRGR Spot and the Pacific Hotel) is Gather; they’re famous for frothing up some of the best coffee in town (although a close second or third would be Summi’s right next door). It offers delicious, flavour-crammed meals across breakfast and lunch, like mushroom bruschetta with buffalo mozzarella, a chilli crab scramble, a signature hash with pressed smoky pork and a matcha tapioca pudding topped with coconut mousse.

They’re open until 2pm daily, only take walk-ins, and offer a children’s menu that includes mini French toast among other fuss-free favourites.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average Price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Trendy

Review: 4.5/5

Location: 3/14-15 Clarence St, Yamba

2. Spilt Milk

a plate of eggs benedict at Spilt Milk, Yamba
The moreish eggs benedict.

Serving up superb Hill Roasters beans from nearby Kungala, about an hour south of Yamba, Spilt Milk arrived on the cafe scene in November 2024 and instantly endeared locals. Run by a Yamba family who have slowly taken over the space that Bean Scene once thrived in, the hot spot is gaining attention for its creative smoothies and milkshakes, plus left-of-centre breakfast and lunch options.

You can expect the likes of ‘Breaky Fried Rice’ which resembles a Nasi Goreng tossed in sesame hoisin sauce, plus rich curries served alongside all-day classics like avocado smash, bacon and egg rolls and open grill sandwiches.

Cuisine: Comfort food with Middle Eastern influences

Average Price: $$

Atmosphere: Casual

Review: 3.5/5

Location: Shop 4/8 Yamba St, Yamba

3. Beachwood Cafe

Open for breakfast and lunch, Beachwood Cafe is one of the homeliest cafes in Yamba, attracting a cult-like status to its side street location. Sevtap Yuch, the Turkish-born owner and chef who also moonlights as a cookbook author, delivers an authentic slice of the Mediterranean, maintaining a tightly curated blackboard menu of breakfast all-stars with a twist.

Expect humble yet wildly fresh local produce transformed into memorable dishes like scrambled eggs with feta and sucuk (Turkish sausage), coconut and cinnamon toast, braised octopus, lamb kofta and grilled sardines. As for the vibes, they’re plenty cosy as patterned mismatched crockery and a leafy patio create an inviting atmosphere for parents and kids.

Love what you’re gobbling down? Sevtap’s ‘less is more’ approach to cooking is ripe for the adopting, with her collection of cookbooks available to purchase in-store.

Cuisine: Modern Australian with Turkish influences

Average Price: $$

Atmosphere: Family-friendly

Review: 4/5

Location: 22 High St, Yamba

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4. Angourie Cafe & Wine Bar

al fresco dining at Angourie Cafe & Wine Bar
Enjoy breakfast al fresco at Angourie Cafe & Wine Bar. (Image: @angouriecafeandwinebar)

Dishing up soul food in a beautiful boho-inspired, white timber fit out, Angourie Cafe & Wine Bar is a local gem. While the bar element of the brand was still under reconstruction in December 2024 (they’re promising to be back with a vengeance soon), the kitchen nails a menu of breakfast classics that embrace seasonal ingredients and a healthy lifestyle.

A six-minute drive from the centre of Yamba, this beloved cafe offers acai bowls, vegetarian baked beans, garlic mushrooms on sourdough, toasted sandwiches, mega-loaded salads, tacos and more across its breakfast and lunch menus.

Cuisine: Modern Australian, skewing vegetarian

Average Price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Hippy

Review: 3.5/5

Location: 11/13-15 The Crescent, Angourie

5. The Kiosk Yamba

beachfront dining at The Kiosk Yamba
The Kiosk Yamba offers idyllic beachfront bliss.

Yamba is not a beach town that’s short on great cafes, but few boast views as striking as The Kiosk Yamba. Housed within Yamba’s Surf Life Saving Club, this unassuming spot right on Main Beach features picnic benches and striped parasols and is open from breakfast through to lunch.

Whether you’re in the mood for something salubrious (hello acai bowls and fresh, cold-pressed juices) or something more indulgent (perhaps a bacon, egg and cheese roll with a milkshake on the side) this popular Yamba cafe always delivers.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average Price: $-$$

Atmosphere: Easy and breezy

Review: 4/5

Location: 1 Marine Parade, Yamba

6. Bowen’s Delicatessen & Fine Foods

the coffee counter at Bowen’s Delicatessen & Fine Foods, Yamba
Grab a takeaway coffee at Bowen’s Delicatessen & Fine Foods.

Find a smashing morning meal and charcuterie supplies for later at Bowen’s Delicatessen & Fine Foods. Renowned across the region for its exceptionally fresh focaccias and wraps, plus creamy, strong coffee, the cafe in Yamba also stocks a brilliant range of cured meats, indulgent cheeses and ultra-rich sweets.

Best of all, the team are endlessly inviting, on hand to walk you through its cabinet and the mainstays, including the popular chicken and sundried tomato wraps with garlic aioli, as well as the dine-in headliners – Bowen’s burgers. Crispy chicken, double cheese, bacon and pineapple… whatever you fancy, the gang’s all here.

Cuisine: Artisanal snacks and Modern Australian meals

Average Price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Casual

Review: 4/5

Location: Shop 33, 1-3 Treelands Drive, Yamba (inside Yamba Fair shopping centre)

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7. Pinewood Corner

a look inside the cafe at Pinewood Corner, Yamba
This charming cafe serves delicious Botero coffee.

A beloved local’s secret, Pinewood Corner takes the best picks from Yamba Farmers and Producers’ Market, one of the best things to do in Yamba, and spins them into scrumptious dishes with dialled-up heart. Think fluffy layered cakes with seasonal fruit, buttery tarts dressed in greens, herbs and nuts, toasties with artisanal bread and sweet focaccias alongside savoury variations.

The owners are natural-born creatives themselves, showcasing their favourite art on the café’s walls and even hosting the odd life drawing class. But first, coffee, right? The beans are among Yamba’s best, sourced from Botero Roastery Cafe in nearby Maclean.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average Price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Free-spirited

Review: 4/5

Location: 1/2-4 Yamba St, Yamba

8. Laneway Lunchbox & Espresso

lunch plates at Laneway Lunchbox & Espresso, Yamba
Laneway Lunchbox & Espresso serves up generous and healthy lunch plates.

Now you’re really getting into the locals’ treasure trove of most-loved cafes in Yamba. Laneway Lunchbox & Espresso is a serious gem, tucked behind a butcher on Coldstream Street. It’s only open during the week, feeding the centre of town’s business crowds, and you’ll need to be quick as a rotating menu of internationally inspired dishes tends to sell out quickly.

Spanning Asian, like wok-tossed noodles and traditional chicken balls, and even traditional British pub classics like bangers and mash, the menu is experimental and a ton of fun. Additionally, the coffee is strong, and the service is friendly.

Cuisine: International

Average Price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Busy

Review: 3.5/5

Location: 3/18 Coldstream St, Yamba

9. Yum Yum Angourie Cafe and General Store

the counter at Yum Yum Angourie Cafe and General Store
Order breakfast classics with your chosen brew at Yum Yum Angourie Cafe and General Store.

A delightful old cottage converted into a morning eatery and grocer, Yum Yum Angourie Cafe and General Store is pure charm. Hearty dishes span the typical spectrum of breakfast classics (avocado on toast, eggs your way and more), but everything is treated with extreme care.

Don’t leave without taking home a flaky baked good or few, and if you’re feeling extra generous, there’s always the ice cream freezer for kids to fight over at this cafe in Yamba.

Cuisine: Modern Australian

Average Price: $$-$$$

Atmosphere: Cosy

Review: 4/5

Location: 29 Coldstream St, Yamba

Ready for lunch? Discover the best restaurants in Yamba

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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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9 of the best Sydney hotel bars for a local adventure

(Credit: Nikki To)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
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    A great night out doesn’t need a road trip, just the right bar. Swap the long drive for an evening at these standout Sydney venues.

    If you’re thinking of a staycation or a long weekend (with foodie benefits), you can’t get much better than the bright lights and beautiful vistas of Sydney. From tucked-away bars to late-night hidden hangs, Australia’s (unofficial) favourite city is packed full of venues that make staying local feel like an adventure.

    1. El Vista, Circular Quay

    bar tender at El Vista, Circular Quay sydney hotel bars
    Enjoy tasty cocktails and gorgeous Sydney views. (Credit: Mario Francisco)

    This welcoming bar by the Maybe Sammy team offers a fun buzz and jaw-dropping harbour views. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, this lounge bar sits above Circular Quay with the harbour on one side and the Botanical Gardens on the other. You may start here for pre-dinner drinks, but you won’t want to leave before the early hours. If the 1960s Acapulco vibe isn’t enough, the views will be – the Sydney Harbour Bridge is so close it hardly fits in the window, while ferries glide by all night.

    2. Bar Allora, CBD

    Bar Allora, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Settle in for a taste of Italy.

    Inspired by Milan in the 1980s, Bar Allora brings Italian style and culture to the CBD. Although it’s officially part of the Mantra 2 Bond Street hotel, it’s designed to look and feel like you’ve travelled to Italy for all-day dining. Think espresso in the morning, aperitivo in the afternoon and Negronis late into the night. Accompany your liquid diet with Italian-style small plates and pastas with a modern twist.

    3. Percy, Pyrmont

    Percy Sydney hotel bars
    Spanish-style tapas and wine is the name of the game. (Credit: Steven Woodburn)

    Taking centre stage in the luxe foyer of the Woolstore 1888 Hotel in Pyrmont, Percy is a popular Spanish-style tapas and wine bar serving food that makes you want to linger. The restored 138-year-old wool store creates an atmospheric backdrop to your glass of merlot with exposed timber beams, brick and the echoes of Sydney’s past. With an air of Barcelona, expect low conversations, creative dining and the city moments away.

    4. The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD

    The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Seafood lovers should head to The Crudo Bar. (Credit: Nikki To)

    Grab a seat at the beautifully designed crudo bar, taking centre stage in Giovanni Pilu’s latest CBD restaurant, Flaminia. Enjoy a glass of chilled Vermentino from Sardinia or prosecco from the hills of Treviso, matched with freshly shucked oysters. Complement your seafood with a range of special dressings, influenced by iconic Italian port cities. It’s the perfect spot for a pre- or post- glass of wine before visiting the Sydney Opera House.

    5. Mee So, Sydney Central

    Mee So sydney
    Enjoy Japanese-influenced food and drinks.

    For something a little different, Mee So is a modern, neon-lit Japanese-influenced bar in the Ibis Sydney Central. Serving bold flavours and umami-heavy dishes alongside sake and yuzu-infused cocktails, this Tokyo-esque venue offers an escape from the busy streets outside. Order steaming ramen, a Japanese whisky, and make a corner of Mee So yours for the night.

    6. Bar Morris, Haymarket

    Bar Morris sydney
    Settle into old-world European glamour.

    Housed in a 1929 heritage-listed building, Bar Morris brings old-world European glamour to the Hotel Morris Sydney, part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection. More of a destination than a pitstop, this bar leans into its Art Deco past with velvet features, intimate lighting and bold brass finishes. Here you can order smaller plates like burrata, cured meats, and seasonal seafood to match your martini.

    7. Pumphouse, Darling Harbour

    Pumphouse sydney
    Enjoy a tipple inside a building from the 1880s.

    When you first walk into Pumphouse, you’ll quickly notice the high ceilings, exposed brick and industrial-style decor. Officially part of the busy Novotel Darling Square, this busy local hang doesn’t feel like it; it’s housed inside a former hydraulic pumping station from the 1880s – hence the name – and is a local institution. Grab a seat if you can and order off the classic modern Australian menu, before trying one of the many craft beers on tap to wash it down.

    8. Wentworth Bar, CBD

    Wentworth Bar sydney hotel bars
    Drink where the celebrities once did.

    Designed for big groups and late-night cocktails, this open-air terrace bar is part of the Sydney Sofitel Wentworth – one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels. Once the watering hole of royals and celebrities, this mid-century building has recently been refurbished to be sleek, modern and inviting. The stunning rooftop bar attracts Sydneysiders who love to watch the sunset with a table full of Vietnamese and French-inspired dishes.

    9. Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington

    Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington sydney
    See the city skyline, drink in hand.

    Sitting pretty on top of a restored 110-year-old theatre, Monica is a Hollywood-style rooftop bar with views across Paddington and the city skyline. Part of the 25hrs The Olympia hotel, this isn’t a quick drink kind of place; it’s a ‘let’s stay all night’ kind of venue. Weekend DJs will take you from sunset to late-night conversations, while you graze on ceviche, grilled meats or sharing plates.

    For more information on how to enjoy Sydney for a long weekend, visit ALL.com.