8 Cafes In Merimbula & Beyond To Start The Day At

Wake up to the fact it’s easy to find a caffeine fix with our guide to the best Merimbula cafes.

Take the time to stop at a Merimbula cafe and you’ll quickly discover the rhythm of the NSW South Coast town. From the casual kiosks that won’t judge you if you walk in barefoot from the beach to the cafes selling nourishing brekkie bowls. Here is our guide to the best cafes in Merimbula and beyond.

1. MorMors

Best for: The full eggs benny with two poached eggs, spinach, and hollandaise

This buzzy cafe serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch, with highlights including doorstop-sized burritos stuffed with scrambled eggs, bacon, Swiss cheese, spinach, charred corn, capsicum, red onion, and coriander salsa.

a spread of food and drinks on the table at MorMors, Merimbula — MorMors brunch menu is overflowing with generously sized brunch options.

MorMors  is in Merimbula Plaza and spills out onto a leafy courtyard perfect for ONA coffee and catch-ups. Enjoy a fresh juice and corn fritters or an all-day burger with the lot. Open 8am–2pm, seven days a week.

the outdoor setting at MorMors, Merimbula — The leafy courtyard is an ideal spot to sit with a cup of ONA coffee on a sunny day.

Address: The Plaza, Shop 15, 20-22 Market St, Merimbula

2. Bar Beach Kiosk

Best for: A big-arse Bar Beach burger

Customers at Bar Beach Kiosk are encouraged to be chilled thanks to the vibes being put down by the staff.

the beachfront view at Bar Beach Kiosk, Merimbula — Embrace the sunny vibes of this seasonal cafe during the warmer months. (Image: Bronte Shipton)

Sit here long enough and you are bound to meet all manner of sea-changers, from corporate casualties to ageing surfers lured by great waves for long-boarders. Sit at the bar overlooking the break if you’re in the mood to mingle.

a woman ordering a drink at Bar Beach Kiosk, Merimbula — Strike up a conversation with locals during your visit. (Image: Bronte Shipton)

Alternatively, lounge on the lawn beside laid-back locals over a lunch of smashed peas and whipped feta on Wheatley Lane sourdough. The seasonal cafe is open six days a week between the September school holidays and June long weekend.

the al fresco dining at Bar Beach Kiosk, Merimbula — The kiosk’s lawn is a great place to sit and watch the waves roll in as you sip your morning coffee. (Image: Bronte Shipton)

Address: Lake St, Merimbula

3. Nourish

Best for: Soups and salads

This Merimbula stalwart does what it says on the tin. Nourish  will awaken your appreciation for the art of making coffee with alt milk as the line-up of quality lactose-free liquids here is impressive. Enjoy a creamy oat milk latte or a super-food smoothie before perusing the shelves stocked with everything from Pukka tea to sugars and spices and soothing ministrations using turmeric and medicinal mushrooms. The rustic wholefoods cafe also sells racks of upcycled fashion. Open Mon-Sat 8–2pm; Sun 8–1pm

Address: The Promenade, Shop 7/4 Market St, Merimbula

4. Toast Cafe, Pambula

Best for: The sweet potato fritters

Toast Cafe is a perennial Pambula fave that lures diners with elevated brunch favourites that suggest a good time. Plates like the Mexican sweet salad with roasted sweet potato, peppers, black beans, quinoa, corn, feta, guac, tortilla crisps, and a coriander lime dressing. Or the sausage and egg panini with caramelised onion jam.

coffee and brunch menu at Toast Café, Pambula — Take your pick from the brunch favourites. (Image: David Rogers Photography)

There’s an unhurried vibe out the back on the verandah, which is prettied up with flowerpots and a beautiful garden streaked with sunlight. Order an iced latte and a pastry to go.

people dining at the garden-like setting of Toast Café, Pambula — Linger over brunch on the verandah. (Image: David Rogers Photography)

Address: 3/25 Quondola St, Pambula

5. Cranky cafe

Best for: The Philly cheese steak served on a squishy bun

Main Beach Merimbula is where the locals hang out to power up post-kitesurf. It’s not just because the lattes are rich and creamy. Or that the cheeseburgers have a bit of heft and are on a house-made milk bun. Cranky Cafe is a suburban go-to because the staff dispense food and drink with a smile. The cafe is popular with local holidaymakers staying in Merimbula who converge here for ready-made take-home meals.

Address: 33 Ocean Drive, Merimbula

6. Waterfront Cafe

Best for: A big breakfast of house-made ham-hocked beans with the lot

When looking for the best things to do in Merimbula it’s best to follow the locals who mob Main Beach each morning. Follow their lead and start your morning with a swim or a surf followed by breakfast by the water’s edge at the Waterfront Café . The corner cafe showcases the importance of community in a small country town where locals gather for coffee, breakfast and a catch-up. It’s a welcoming cafe near to a quirky pocket of shops and the hip strip of Merimbula’s best bars and restaurants.

Address: Shops 1 & 2 Corner Beach & Market St, Merimbula

7. Wild Orchid Cafe, Tathra

Best for: Avo on sourdough and the crumbed chicken burger

Tathra is just a 20-minute drive from Merimbula and well worth including in a NSW South Coast road trip itinerary. The locals pack in tighter than anchovies in a tin at Wild Orchid Tathra where the customers come in early for breakfast and stay late for BYO lunch. The cafe tweaks its hours over winter and summer to suit the seasons. You’d be remiss not to order the avocado feta with pepitas and black sesame on sourdough. Spice fiends should order it showered in an extra abundance of chilli flakes and wait for the kick to blow their head off.

Address: 1/29 Andy Poole Drive, Tathra

8. Wild Rye’s Baking Co., Pambula

Best for:  The beef curry pie is one of the best in Australia

When is a meat pie worth a six-hour drive? When it’s baked fresh in flaky pastry using the very best seasonal ingredients each day. Your dog’s eye (pie) is not going to transport well back to Sydney so find a spot on a park bench and scarf it down.

bread on display at Wild Rye’s Baking Co. in Pambula — Stock up on freshly baked bread and don’t forget to try the pies.

Then get back in the Wild Rye’s Baking Co queue to inhale the extraordinary aromas and figure out whether you’re going to go sweet or savoury. You’ll find artisan baked goods with unique flavour combinations and specialty blends of freshly roasted coffee, too.

making bread at Wild Rye’s Baking Co. in Pambula — Wild Rye’s Baking Co. is a proud purveyor of fine artisan breads.

Address: 26 Quondola St, Pambula

For more insider tips and expert advice to help you plan your next beachside escape, read our guide to visiting Merimbula.

Underpinned by grassroots hospitality and award-winning organic produce, the Central Coast’s gastronomy scene is thriving, with the region quickly becoming one of the best destinations in NSW for epicures.

Revered for its rugged natural splendour and laid-back seaside charm, NSW’s Central Coast has soared in popularity in recent years, becoming a top choice for an affordable slice of weekend escapism for Sydneysiders. Just a short 45-minute drive north of Sydney, it’s the kind of place that, no matter how many times you visit, leaves you with the sense that there’s always more to uncover. But while the ocean pools, bushwalks and beaches have (rightly) taken the spotlight, it’s the Central Coast food offerings which have been quietly simmering in the background.

From fresh-as-it-gets seafood and juicy organic citrus you can pluck yourself, through to regenerative farming and reputable farm-to-fork dining, this coastal gem has become an idyllic foodie mecca. Here are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in grassroots hospitality and gastronomic glory on the NSW Central Coast.

vegetables in a basket at Bells Garden at Bells At Killcare — From picking your own, to farm-to-table, discover the best Central Coast food experiences. (Image: Remy Brand)

Central Coast oyster experiences

From humble grub to opulent delicacy, oysters have ascended into a league of their own. Epicureans are fascinated by them – willing to pay upwards of $35 per dozen (double at some of Sydney’s reputable fine dining restaurants) – and ‘shuck bars’ seem to be popping up at every milestone celebration.

But it’s rare to find places that really draw back the curtain on how they’re farmed and why everyone is mad for these molluscs. The Central Coast , however, is home to several of these venues. With its pristine waters, mild climate and nutrient-rich estuaries, it’s the perfect breeding ground for oysters.

Learn about oyster farming and, importantly, how to shuck them at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours . Nestled on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Sheridan Beaumont and her team offer a hands-on foodie experience where you can feast on dozens of oysters (white tablecloth and all) while wading through the calm waters. You can even bring your own bottle of bubbles to wash them down.

guests in the water for an experience at Sydney Oyster Farm - Central Coast food — Learn tricks of the trade at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: Remy Brand)

Elevate your oyster knowledge even further by heading north over the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed . Tour their scenic oyster leases and saltwater paddocks by boat to uncover the distinct characteristics of the Sydney rock oyster and creamy Pacific oyster. They’ve also partnered with Broken Bay Pearl Farm to offer a one-of-a-kind oyster and pearl farming guided tour, showcasing the Central Coast’s very own pearl oyster, the Broken Bay ‘Akoya’. But if you’re simply in the mood to devour a dozen delectable oysters while soaking in the tranquil river views, pull up a chair at the shed. It’s friendly in every sense of the word: pets, families and BYO welcome.

shucking oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Taste freshly shucked oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: James Horan)

Central Coast farms to pick your own fruit

While the Central Coast is known for its breathtaking 40 beaches and 80-kilometre coastline, its lush hinterland is equally impressive – abundant with orchards and agriculturally rich farmland. And when it comes to the simple joy of picking your own fruit, the Central Coast is a ripe playground.

Family-owned Meliora Farm at Peats Ridge is an orchard that blends conventional, biodynamic and organic philosophies. Third-generation farmer Tim Kemp and his wife Elise are dedicated to honouring the family legacy by growing a rich variety of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins and avocados. In late May, roam the sustainable and nutrient-dense property during ‘Pick Your Own’ weekends.

Eastcoast Beverages is another bountiful citrus orchard boasting over 60 hectares of fruit. From June you can learn about the cultivation of high-quality ingredients – like lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges – by touring both the farm and factory before setting out and picking your own straight from the source. You can also sample an array of citrus-inspired sweet and savoury treats at their on-site cafe, Bambino’s .

If it’s just juicy oranges you’re after, Cedar Farm in Dooralong is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes north of Peats Ridge, it features 15 flourishing orchards and over 3000 orange trees – with take-home bags during the season (from July) at low prices. Not bad for a fruity weekend haul.

woman picking oranges at Oranges at Dooralong — Pick your own citrus fruits on the Central Coast. (Image: James Vodicka)

Organic dining

What makes the Central Coast hinterland so special is the unwavering respect the communities have for their cherished backyard. Locally owned and operated farms are all striving for more sustainable practices and methods to both enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact, each with a heartwarming food philosophy.

The Food Farm in Wyong Creek believes good food is worth both the work and the wait. Devoted to regenerative farming, first-generation ‘farmily’ Tim Eyes and Hannah Greenshields are recognised for their grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised, gold medal-winning chickens. With an open gate policy, The Food Farm encourages visitors to swing by and try some of their slow-grown produce at their small ‘honesty’ farm shop. With no staff, you can pick up a few quality cuts of meat and pasteurised eggs, leaving the owing amount in cash or via eftpos.

Keeping the spirit of generational organic farming alive is Fanelli Organics . Nestled in the Central Coast’s scenic and sleepy Mangrove Mountain, founders Eden and Louise Fanelli own over 45 hectares of plentiful farmland and orchards that produce a huge range of organic fruit and vegetables, like purple Dutch carrots, blood oranges, broccoli and Tuscan kale. A true home-grown operation, Fanelli Organics shares its fresh produce with local restaurants and community markets, including the beloved markets at Like Minds Cafe at Avoca Beach every Wednesday afternoon.

farmers holding fresh produce picked at Fanelli Organics — See where your food comes from at Fanelli Organics.

Paddock-to-plate dining

High-quality ingredients go hand in hand with premium dining, and the Central Coast is home to several paddock-to-plate restaurants that showcase its diverse and rich agriculture. Paired with warm, grassroots hospitality, there are culinary triumphs, new menus and revered chefs constantly popping up, putting the local dining scene firmly on the map.

Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce. Nestled in thick bushland with wraparound verandahs, floral gardens and an idyllic dam, the gourmet homestead and bakehouse is unlike any restaurant on the Central Coast. Here, head chef Reece Collins and his team serve up an impressive breakfast and lunch menu that oozes rustic charm. Pull up a comfy armchair on the expansive deck, listen to birdsong, and tuck into flavoursome dishes like the farmhouse Benedict with honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata, or the hearty beef brisket pie with confit garlic potato purée and rainbow chard.

woman writing in notebook next to a table of food at Saddles, Central Coast food — Taste country-style cooking at Saddles. (Image: Destination NSW)

Delivering a slice of sophistication and luxury to the shores and bushland of Bouddi Peninsula is Bells at Killcare . One of the few boutique resorts on the Central Coast, it’s known for its premium service and five-star suites, as well as its bountiful kitchen gardens that boast an orchard, olive trees, avocado trees, free-range hens and a honey bee hive.

Cameron Cansdell has returned to Bells at Killcare as head chef, bringing his expertise to the casual yet refined menus that feature a raw bar with Oscietra caviar, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, all served alongside optional matched wines. Sample some of Australia’s best regional wines and standout dishes, like roasted Wollemi duck with grilled leeks, rocket, grilled grapes and 10-year-aged balsamic, or the shareworthy salt-crusted snapper with herb salad and salsa, before roaming the picturesque gardens, wine in hand.

cocktail at Bells At Killcare — Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)

Plan your next visit to the delicious Central Coast.

8 of the best cafes in Merimbula and beyond to start the day