The best cafes in the Hunter Valley

The Icky Sticky Patisserie

If you’re a chocolate aficionado, look no further than this indulgent cafe in the quaint village of Lorn that specialises in the finer things in life. Pick up addictive chocolate-and-caramel custard profiteroles, silky chocolate-raspberry mousse, passionfruit meringues, and raspberry-and-white-chocolate pistachio tarts. If you’re not drooling yet, just wait until you have these goodies in hand. The cafe’s displays of cakes and bites are almost too pretty to eat. Almost. Order a coffee, a sweet treat and… sigh. Is this the Hunter Valley’s best brunch?

The Icky Sticky Patisserie, Lorn

Cru Bar + Pantry

Located at Brokenwood Wines, Cru Bar + Pantry is a relaxed spot for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Serving unusual brekkie options like brioche, caviar and smoked salmon or Bombay style eggs. If you're visiting at lunch, there is a self service wine dispenser, offering rare wines not ordinarily available for tasting at the Cellar Door, along with delicious pies, pizza, charcuterie and toasties.

Cru Bar + Pantry at Brokenwood Wines, Hunter Valley - Credit: Brokenwood Wines

Cafe Enzo

Dishing up eggs, toast and coffee in its enchanting, rustic courtyard since 1996, the team at Cafe Enzo are experts in all things breakfast. Menu favourites include the baked beetroot ricotta with smoked salmon and blood orange ham, and the Breakfast Board, which comes complete with Berkshire ham off the bone, Binnorie Dairy feta and roast cherry tomatoes– there’s a fantastic vego alternative for non-meat eaters. Found in Pokolbin’s Pepper Creek shopping village, an open outdoor fire makes it a cosy perch in the winter months too.

Cafe Enzo, Pokolbin - Credit: MJK Creative

The Bikesmith & Espresso Bar

A local community hub for cyclists, this family-owned café-sum-bike shop on Maitland’s High Street will serve you a mouth-watering Reuben Toastie and an espresso shot after you have picked up a spare tube, or to pass the time while you get a part serviced in the workshop. Even if you aren’t an outdoor sports enthusiast, it’s worth stopping by for the friendly atmosphere and fantastic coffee.

The Bikesmith and Espresso Bar, Maitland

Fawk Foods Kitchen and Bakery

Run by the same team behind the next-door EXP. Restaurant, this part bakery, part café also follows the same philosophy: “To deliver a menu driven by the seasons and focused on flavour”. With a focus on locally sourced products – such as bacon and ham from Maitland’s Hungerford Meat Co, free-range eggs, and the cafe's own house-baked bread and homegrown black garlic – highlights include the buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup and biscuit crumb and the chipotle-glazed breakfast rolls. If you are on the go, grab-and-go baked goods are also available. Think banana bread, blueberry muffins, chocolate brownies, and vanilla and sea salt cookies. The outdoor patio is dog-friendly, so pooch can come along for breakfast.

Fawk Foods Kitchen and Bakery, Pokolbin - Credit: Dom Cherry

The Deck Cafe Lovedale

The Deck Cafe is the kind of place you visit for breakfast, and still find yourself lingering over lunch. The menu and outlook are that good. Case in point, the scones with Chantilly cream, homemade jam and fresh strawberries – for breakfast. Or the ‘power plate’, uniting everything that’s good for you: poached eggs, hummus, avocado, spinach, broccoli, beets and seeds. Your stomach will thank you. If you find yourself settling in for a snack overlooking the bucolic countryside surrounding Lovedale, make the most of the all-day tapas menu. How does truffled mushroom and goats curd with a glass of wine sound?  

The Deck Cafe, Lovedale

Worn Out Wares 

If you want to sample local produce from the Hunter region, then make your way to Worn Out Wares. This cosy cafe, store and florist serves breakfast, lunch and something sweet, with a menu featuring locally sourced seasonal produce. While here, buy some flowers or shop for beautiful homewares.

Worn Out Wares, Hunter Valley

Garden Terrace Cafe

Aside from vineyards, the Hunter Valley Gardens are the other major drawcard of this pretty pocket of New South Wales. The manicured grounds showcase flora and fauna from around the world across an immense 14 hectares. And when you’ve finished your wanderings, sit down to a meal at the Garden Terrace Cafe, overlooking the Oriental Garden. Drop in for an indulgent bacon-and-egg burger (because why not?), smoked salmon eggs benedict or fish and chips. Generous portions, delicious meals and a stellar outlook. What more could you want?

Garden Terrace Cafe in Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin - Credit: Garden Terrace Cafe