6 Best Restaurants in North Coast, New South Wales

The menu works around the restaurant's wood-fire oven and open-flame grill, with everything from hearty meats from local farms to seafood and smoked vegetables. The wine list is extensive, focusing on Australian wines from all corners of the country. 

Located at the Lord Howe Island Museum and Visitor’s Centre, this is a popular café with those exploring Lord Howe’s history. There's traditional bacon and eggs for breakfast and light salads for lunch. And it's licensed so you can enjoy a glass of wine at lunchtime. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. 

Perched right on Newcastle Beach, Estabar is known for its great coffee, organic foods, superb Spanish hot chocolate drinks, and wonderful gelato. Open all day from breakfast until sundown, it's a small space with little tables and a short menu, but it draws a big local following. Breakfast favorites are the porridge with poached fruits and brown sugar on the side, and the homemade baked beans; lunchtime salads include lentil, walnut, and feta. The views over Newcastle Beach, the closest one to the downtown area, are also delectable at any time and if you are lucky, you may see whales offshore in winter months.

This friendly vibrant café is found just outside of Byron and is a firm favorite with locals. It's surrounded by a beautiful garden and native trees with plenty of birds. The focus here is on serving ethical coffee and only local produce. The menu is 100% vegetarian and vegan but even if you're a meat eater you won't feel like you're missing out. Each dish is created with care and packed with flavor. Open every day from 7:30 am.

Serving tourists and locals since the 1940s, this is an iconic store-turned-café. You'll find beachy interiors, a vegan-friendly menu, and fresh juices. The smoothie bowls are filled with acai, fresh berries, and nuts. The coffee is often said to be the best in Byron. 

Named by locals as the best brunch in Newcastle, this iconic café has been in action for over 20 years and is still as popular today. The menu is extensive, with everything from loaded cookies to savory beef mince on toast with poached eggs. Best known for its unique smoothies, with 20 different varieties. Open every day from 7:30 am.