Amazing Cafes Round Every Corner

Where are the best cafes in Port Macquarie? Is it the nearest cafe to your office? Are you lucky enough to have it right across the street? Or do you prefer to walk the main street and explore what the best cafes in Port Macquarie have to offer? It used to be that all you could get in Port Macquarie was an average cup of coffee from a rundown coffee chain. Now you can find amazing independent cafes all over town. Great coffee has well and truly spread from cafes and coffee roasters in Sydney, north to Port Macquarie.   

Ask any local where the best cafe is, and you will get a different answer. Delicious coffee can be found all over town. But where is the best espresso bar? Who serves up a killer piccolo latte? Do cafes in Port Macquarie have a better recipe for chai latte than cafes in Surry Hills? What’s the answer to the age-old question; cappuccino verses latte?

I’m returning to my discovery of the best Australian cafes. This time, visiting cafes in beautiful Port Macquarie. I’m narrowing in on areas, cafes and coffee roasters to find exactly who and where it is. Will it be Social Grounds? Will it be Peak Coffee?

I'm so excited. I can’t wait to find out!

The Line Up

Social Grounds

 

 

Located at 151 Gordon Street. Social Grounds has been serving locals and visitors alike, great coffee since 2014. Frequently lorded by locals as the best coffee in town. This lovely hidden away cafe is always packed with coffee lovers regularly lined up out the door.

Inside Social Grounds is a modern space with rich textured timbers. I love that you can always find something new at Social Grounds. Coffee is sourced from Ethiopia, Sumatra, Colombia or Rwanda.

If you’re looking for something delicious to eat, Social Grounds has you covered. You can select from a blackboard of classic breakfast favourites. The Social Roll is always popular. It’s hickory smoked bacon, a fried egg, cheese, seasonal greens, house relish and bbq sauce on a lovely fresh roll. The Veggie Roll is just as delicious. It is spiced halloumi, mushrooms, a fried egg, avocado, seasonal greens and house relish on a fresh bun.

I also love to add a hash brown for something a little extra.

Blackfish Coffee

 

 

Located at 4 East Street Cresent Head. This amazing espresso bar looks like one of the cool, inner-city cafes in Melbourne. Blackfish Cafe is clad with beautiful natural timbers and is very popular among locals, who take their morning coffee fix very seriously.

The house coffee is sourced from the talented Flying West Coffee Roasters on the Sunshine Coast. The beautifully extracted & sweet coffee is packed with fruit and caramel tones and will get your tastebuds dancing.

The food at Blackfish Coffee is also seriously good. You can find hearty breakfast options with gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan dishes very popular too. Their house made beans on toast and pumpkin soup is next level good. But my go to here is the Avocado on Sourdough. It is avocado, sourdough, lemon, salt, pepper and dukkah.

Pair it with a skinny latte and you have the most delicious breakfast ever.

Salty Crew Kiosk

 

 

Not many cafes have a location like the Salty Crew Kiosk. It can be found at 15 Elliot Way in Port Macquarie. This slice of paradise is right on Town Beach. It’s a popular hangout for locals and visitors thanks to its protection from prevailing south winds, and proximity to the centre of town.

It’s a fabulous place to catch up with family and friends, while making the most of the cafe’s phenomenal natural surroundings.

In winter, you can watch the sunrise and the whales frolic while your hands are wrapped around a steaming cup of your favourite coffee. In summer, plant yourself under the oasis of umbrellas as you keep cool in the ocean with healthy snacks, bowls, salads and icy cold smoothies. The staff are super helpful and friendly. It’s the type of café where they know your name, and how you like your daily cup.

Whether you are catching up with friends or family for lunch, refuelling from a workout or surf, or in the need for a quick caffeine hit. The Salty Crew Kiosk hits the spot every time for delicious food and impeccable service.

Seasalt

 

 

Located at 7/18 Park Street. Seasalt Cafe is another Port Macquarie café with a picturesque location. Their food is made from local fresh produce and is full of all the family favourites.  With a delicious selection of consistently changing specials there is always something amazing on the menu that will take your fancy.

The breakfast menu is packed with all the good stuff. You will find a list of old faithful breakfast options in addition to some more experimental creations. The Toasted Pear and Raspberry Bread with berries and yogurt is a favourite whenever I’m in town. In addition to their coffee, the drinks menu includes fruit frappe and smoothie options for those who prefer their drinks cold.

With amazing water views and plenty of fabulous boats to look at. My tip is to secure an outdoor table and enjoy your coffee and food outside. If you’re in town with the kiddos. Ask the friendly staff for some fish food to drop down to the small school of fish, just next to the café. Trust me, they will love it.

Peak Coffee

 

 

Located at 30 Jambali Road. Peak Coffee was the first coffee roasting business to be located on the Mid-North Coast. Part café, part retail space, part coffee roaster. Peak Coffee is for those who like to see exactly how coffee is roasted. If you like to see the process in motion, or simply can’t get enough of that tantalising caffeine smell, you can have a tour of the roastery.  

The brainchild of Sean and Kristine Edwards. Sean has been involved in the Australian café industry for over 20 years. Originally owning several regional café businesses, he is passionate about the growth of world coffee and the Australian cafe industry. Kristine is passionate about people and her business acumen is based around high quality customer service.

The Beach House

 

 

Located at 1 Horton Street. The Beach House is an iconic coastal venue that is a favourite hangout among Port Macquarie locals. Largely thanks to its idyllic waterfront location. It is visited by locals and visitors alike who love nothing more than a few cheeky afternoon drinks on the deck watching the sun go down.

However, the Beach House has a solid morning coffee game as well. From its vantage point overlooking the Hastings River, The Beach House is one of the most visited spots around. Many use it as a pit stop along the iconic Port Macquarie Breakwall walk, picking up their morning coffee before continuing on their way. The Beach House is open for morning coffee, lunch and dinner with options to suit every occasion. Whether it’s a date for two or a feast to feed the whole group!

The Thai Beef Salad is one of my favourites here. It is char grilled beef, tomato, cucumber, lettuce, fresh herbs and chilli lime dressing. The Ancient Grain Salad with roasted asparagus, sweet corn and green goodness dressing is also delicious.

Rivermark Cafe

 

 

Located at 261 Hastings River Drive. Rivermark Café is another local favourite. Like so many other wonderful Port Macquarie cafes you can sit back with a delicious cup of coffee while indulging on views of the surrounding seascape. If you’re lucky you can watch the dolphins and birdlife play all day. The outdoor area is large, warm and welcoming, with table options both in the sun and shade.

Their menu is based on produce sourced from the local area, featuring seafood, salad, gourmet burgers and varied weekly lunch specials. The Orange and Cinnamon Poached Pear Granola is amazing. It includes rolled oats, pepitas, macadamias, dried fruit and honey with Greek yoghurt and milk. The Zucchini and Corn Fritters with poached egg, bacon, guacamole, mint yoghurt and lemon is my favourite here.  

Bandwagon

 

 

Located at 76 William Street. Bandwagon is Port Macquarie’s latest destination for specialty coffee, quality food, music and good times. Housed within a beautiful old weatherboard house overlooking the sea, the menu is amazing.

Bandwagon offers a unique dining experience with a relaxed and welcoming aesthetic. Weather you’re at Bandwagon for a quick morning coffee on the way to work, school drop off, or taking up prime position in the café with your laptop or a good book. You are going to love it.

In addition to great coffee, Bandwagon is known for a wide selection of quality beer, as well as juices, chai and a range of tea. Bandwagon offers beautiful coffee and food prepared with love.