02 December 2024
6 mins Read
Sip and nibble your way through the Tweed with the region’s long list of cosy cafes and beautiful coastal bakeries.
Stylish, produce-driven and displaying dedicated artistry, this hit-list is full of beachy haunts that pour seriously good coffee and offer some of the best sourdough you’ve ever crunched into. From freshly baked croissants in Kingscliff to refined cafe fare from Pottsville, keep this article bookmarked for your next Tweed getaway.
Grab a coffee and croissant and sit waterside at this Tweed Heads cafe favourite, where you can watch the river sparkle as you enjoy freshly baked goods under the shade of generous trees. The Paris-meets-Northern-Rivers picnic vibe is perfect for sunny weekends, with pooches welcome, too. The croissants are a non-negotiable menu item, but there are plenty of other options too, including breakfast burgers and lunch plates.
Sit down for warm brew at Baked at Ancora.
Arguably the makers of the best sourdough in the region, the Bread Social’s Tweed Heads bakery and cafe hums every day from 6.30 am to 3 pm, supplying locals with their daily bread and caffeine. You’ll also find an array of impossible-to-resist pastries, doughnuts and focaccia, which you can nibble outside in the sun. Bread Social also run occasional baking workshops so you can master the art of sourdough, too.
Fresh-baked pastries at The Bread Social are simply to die for.
Next Door Espresso is a bright and breezy eatery that plates up simple classics made well and served with genuine smiles. Having spent time in America, the owners returned Down Under to bring US-style hospitality to the Northern Rivers. Adding good-quality, Aussie-approved coffee and cafe favourites (think brekky burgers and corn fritters), they’ve created a welcoming hub both here and in Burleigh Heads.
Next Door Espresso is a favourite among locals.
Not quite a cafe or a bakery, Rob Roy Deli is a must-visit to stock up delicious provisions for any stay on the Tweed. You’ll find everything you need for your evening snack plate, like deli meats, cheese, locally made condiments, chips, chocolate and more. The deli also doubles as a bottleshop, with natural wines, craft beers and artisan spirits on sale.
The deli doubles as a boutique bottle shop.
Set across from the Tweed River, the locally loved Cubby Bakehouse is your go-to for sweet treats and carb-cravings. From crazy-good cookies to tiramisu brownies and jam doughnut eclairs, everything coming out of the kitchen is dialled up with flavour to fully satisfy your lust for baked goods. Grab an outside table in the sweet garden and savour the moment.
Cubby Bakehouse is buzzing with delightful brews.
The petite Salt Mill cafe is perfectly located for pre-beach coffee runs, situated right across the road from the beach and just a few steps more to crystal-clear Cudgen Creek. Grab your usual baked goods like croissants and banana bread, or opt for a savoury sambo and wrap. If you’re not racing to get in the water, sit outside under an umbrella and enjoy.
Get your daily fix of baked goods at Salt Mill.
A little touch of Paris by the beach, this Salt Village patisserie tempts all with classic French delights like macarons and gateau, croquembouche and petit four. You can pop by for a breakfast croissant, settle in for an elegant high tea with friends or order a celebration cake for that special occasion.
This oceanside kiosk is awash with holiday vibes. Sip your morning latte to the soundtrack of crashing waves as you plan your day flitting from sand to surf. Eats here are fresh, filling and fuelling, from classics like smashed avo to sourdough crumpets, brunch burgers and BLTs. Take a seat inside or grab your order and stretch out on the grass across the road.
Cleanse your tummy with beautiful healthy smoothie bowls from Saltbean Cafe.
The laidback and stylish Tucker eatery showcases local producers with a classic menu that’s all the more delicious thanks to house-made elements. Using ingredients created and grown in the Northern Rivers, from Blackboard coffee to Bread Social baked goods, the tucker here is both considered and delicious. Dive in and taste the flavours of the region!
With its soft, pastel-pink hues and beach-chic styling, Nectar cafe on Cabarita’s high street eases you into the day. Bagels and sandwiches with rockstar names take you from breakfast to lunch. Slurp down a smoothie and watch the morning bustle before making your way to the beach beyond.
Pop in to Nectar for a fresh juice or smoothie.
For such a small town, Pottsville is well-endowed with great coffee. The Corner Stop Espresso Bar is the perfect place to spend time with hands wrapped around your favourite brew. You’ll also be supplied with fresh, lean and green cafe fare, should you feel inclined to dine. It’s only a short stroll to the beach and creek, or back to Tweed Holiday Parks’ South Pottsville location across the road, one of the best caravan parks in the region.
Mornings are always full house at Corner Stop.
The Baker & Farmer bakery also doubles as a cafe, nighttime eatery and bar all in one. In the daylight hours, grab and go with a coffee and your usual baked goods, including croissants, tarts, doughnuts and cakes. Come afternoon and into the evening, the bar mixes cocktails, pours cold ones on-tap and offers up everything from tacos to share boards and burgers.
Cool and casual, the charismatic Black Drop cafe in charming Pottsville is alive with activity from breakfast through to lunch. The coffee is excellent, the staff are friendly and the food is elevated. While you’ll find the usual crowd-pleasers on the menu, expect to be delighted by innovative specials and beautifully crafted dishes. Check the website for semi-regular themed nights and pop-ups.
Pair your latte with some sweets at Black Drop cafe.
Swing by this cool Murwillumbah cafe when in town for an excellent coffee and equally excellent eats. There are house-made treats and dishes to entice using locally sourced and seasonal produce. Think everything from pankcakes and breakfast bowls to burgers and pasta.
Go with your usual avo toast at Keith.
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No thanks, I like to travel solo
I live in the Tweed so am familiar with many of the cafes reviewed and agree they are some of the best. You’ve also given me a few I didn’t realise were good so I’ll look forward to trying those too – thanks