The Northern Beaches is home to some of the best waterfront and hole-in-the-wall cafes in Sydney/Eora, providing your daily coffee dose. Whether you're an early riser or sleeper-inner, an all-day breakfast, brunch or lunch at a top-notch cafe never misses.
From sweet treats and simple, local lights to more extravagant, experimental feeds, the Beaches do it all. Urban List has trialled the best spots and these are the ones that should definitely be on your radar.
Here are the best cafes on the Northern Beaches right now.
Noon
Shop 1/18 Raglan Street, Manly
Image credit: Noon | Instagram
From the team behind Manly favourites Chicabonita, Busta and Sunset Sabi, Good Good Company’s newest venue Noon is a sun-soaked cafe with a retro fit-out just a few blocks back from the beach.
Dishing up delicious eats like a bacon and egg roll on fresh focaccia, stuffed ricotta crepes, potatoes carnitas, zucchini toast with stracciatella, and the fluffiest scrambled eggs with z’aatar, Noon is an absolute must-visit. Try their signature tahini espresso latte or a classic matcha latte the next time you go, it’s the perfect morning pick-me-up.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Friday, 6am–2pm and Saturday–Sunday, 6am–3pm
Barrel One
Various Locations
Image credit: Barrel One | Instagram
Barrel One is a tip-top spot to start your day with a slew of locations across the Beaches in Brookvale, Cromer, Manly, and beyond in Potts Point and Lane Cove.
The Brookie venue is an industrial escape where you can pull up a chair, enjoy a brew or two and pick from bagels aplenty, including pastrami, egg and cheese, avocado, salmon, cream cheese or peanut butter and jelly.
Barrel One also does the most mouthwatering cheese toasties, partnering with maker and monger Anthony Femia to create the ‘Fondue’ with melted Swiss gruyere, double smoked ham and mustard, and the ‘Pimento’ with jalapeno cheddar, roasted red peppers and cornichons.
THE DETAILS
22 Orchard Road, Brookvale: Monday–Friday, 6am–2pm and Saturday–Sunday, 7am–1pm
9/161 S Creek Road, Cromer: Monday–Friday, 6am–2pm and Saturday–Sunday, 7am–1pm
40 E Esplanade, Manly: Monday–Friday, 6am–2pm and Saturday–Sunday, 7am–2pm
Effie’s
281 Sydney Road, Balgowlah
Image credit: Effie's | Instagram
Cafe by day turned wine bar by night, Effie’s is a dreamy corner joint on Sydney Road. Its interior is plucked straight from Pinterest with chocolate velvet dining chairs, a pressed metal ceiling, an iconic viola marble takeaway window and a wine-filled wall that gets a workout on Wednesday to Saturday nights.
Top menu picks include the chilli eggs on sourdough with Effie’s whipped sauce and a crispy potato rosti, the fig and ricotta toast with thyme, honey and orange zest, and the roastie; a toasted three-cheese sandwich with zucchini, mushroom, fermented jalapeño and pesto.
Effie’s Boatshed also offers a great latte break on the Spit to Manly Walk, located at the Manly Boatshed in Fairlight.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Friday, 6am–2pm and Saturday–Sunday, 6.30am–2pm, Wednesday–Saturday, 5pm–10pm
Sammy’s
Careel Bay Marina, 94 George Street, Avalon
Image credit: Sammy's | Website
If you want to feel like you’re on holiday without leaving Sydney, Sammy’s is worth the visit. Serving up coffee and brekkie classics, this jetty nook is as close to the water as you can get, located at Careel Bay Marina. The waterfront kiosk is a go-to for jaffles, New York-style salmon bagels, avo on toast and an acai bowl. Samuel Bizzaro is behind this sailor-favourite, who has previously worked with The Boathouse Group and legendary chef Josh Niland.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Sunday, 7am–2pm
Corretto
1/24 The Strand, Dee Why
Image credit: Corretto | Website
Beachside eatery Corretto is where to head for your morning cuppa and tasty plates in Dee Why. Boasting a big brekkie menu with something for everyone, from sweet treats like toasted Belgian waffles and fluffy buttermilk pancakes to savoury favourites like eggs benny, a loaded breakfast burger and zucchini and sweet potato fritters, Corretto is one of those cafes you keep going back to.
By lunchtime, enjoy pizzas, seafood, salads and more, paired with cocktails, wine and beer on tap. It's the perfect hangout to catch up with mates and watch the waves roll in.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Sunday, 7am–11am for Breakfast, 12pm–9pm for Lunch and Dinner.
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Skittle Lane
83/87 Pittwater Road, Manly
Image credit: Skittle Lane | Website
Skittle Lane knows coffee like the back of their hand, roasting their espresso in-house for both milk-based and black brews. With locations in Sydney CBD, Circular Quay and Bondi, Skittle Lane is one of the best cafes with a full-coffee focus.
Freshen up on your coffee-making knowledge with Manly's pour-over brew bar on Saturdays from 8am–11am. Skittle Lane proudly sources and produces ethically made coffee from around the world, that comes in sustainable packaging for you to take home.
Skittle Lane's succinct and satisfying menu is also a bonus. And their ample-sized tables and benches provide a great remote working space.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Sunday, 7am–2pm
Nourished Wholefood Cafe
17 Avalon Parade, Avalon Beach
Image credit: Nourished Wholefood Cafe | Instagram
For healthy wholefood goodness, head to Nourished Wholefood Cafe. Sourcing all their food from the Sydney basin, Nourished serves simple, seasonal food, catering to vegetarians, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free and pet-accompanied patrons.
Nourished offers an extensive all-day food lineup, alongside a range of juices and smoothies like an acai, peanut butter or avocado smoothie. They also have freshly baked goods like muffins, protein balls, homemade cakes and slices, for a lighter latte accompaniment.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Friday, 6am–4.30pm and Saturday–Sunday, 6.30am–5pm
The Joey
1191 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach
Image credit: The Joey | Instagram
Taking over The Boathouse Palm Beach’s venue, The Joey has renovated the space but kept the waterfront ambience. Serving a relaxed food and drinks menu well into the afternoon, this cafe restaurant is an ideal place to catch up with friends or enjoy a family outing followed by a walk up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse or a wander along the beach.
Get your breakfast fix from 7am–11am, which includes comforting classics like a ham and gruyere cheese croissant, avocado toast, eggs your way and banana pancakes, which pair perfectly with a steaming hot coffee.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Sunday, 7am–4pm
Calibrate
5 Whistler Street, Manly
Image credit: Munchwithus2.0 | Instagram
The beloved Roseville coffee powerhouse Calibrate has stepped into Beaches territory, opening its doors in Manly. Named after the Calibrate blend from Gabriel Coffee, Cali is the current hotspot amongst locals. Their trusty beans on toast, smashed avo dish and matcha coconut chia pudding are crowd-favourites.
Recalibrate with the Cali-style caffè freddo amongst a range of iced and hot drink options or delve into a green, protein or banana smoothie, all made with the freshest ingredients.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Sunday, 6am–3pm
Ball Boy
31 Dobroyd Road, Balgowlah Heights
Image credit: Ball Boy | Instagram
Tucked away in the burbs of Balgowlah Heights is a hidden local favourite, Ball Boy. Dishing up a heck of a feed for breakfast and lunch, Ball Boy does a smashing bacon and sage-fried egg butty on sourdough and a stacked halloumi burger with caramelised onion relish and aioli as a vegetarian option. And if you’re as obsessed with matcha as we are, Ball Boy does a mean mango and strawberry iced matcha. At lunch, sit in the sun and graze on a charcuterie board, burger or salad with a glass of wine and get swept into the afternoon.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Thursday, 7am–2pm and Friday–Sunday, 7am–4pm
Girdlers
Various Locations
Image credit: Girdlers | Instagram
Taking brunch to new heights, Girdlers is an easygoing cafe with four bases on the Beaches in Manly, Dee Why, Avalon and Warringah Mall. Their motto; simple, honest goodness is spot on, serving up dishes with fresh and flavoursome ingredients from local suppliers.
Known for their sweet and savoury buckwheat crepes, Girdlers also does smoothie bowls, cauliflower shakshuka, pancakes, bircher muesli and a bacon and egg roll with a healthy take on an organic charcoal bun. Later on from 11.30am, they offer customisable salads, burgers, burritos and tacos that cater to vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
THE DETAILS
7-8 The Strand, Dee Why: Monday–Friday, 6am–4pm and Saturday–Sunday, 6am–4.30pm
Short Street Plaza, Manly: Monday–Friday, 7am–2.30pm and Saturday–Sunday, 7am–3pm
1/1-5 Hilltop Road, Avalon Beach: Monday–Friday, 7am–2.30pm and Saturday–Sunday, 7am–3pm
Westfield Warringah Mall, Level 1: Monday–Wednesday, 8.30am–3pm, Thursday–Saturday, 8.30am–3.30pm and Sunday, 9am–3.30pm
Pilu Baretto
On The Beach, Moore Road, Freshwater
Image credit: Pilu Baretto | Instagram
Connected to Pilu, an Italian restaurant in Freshwater, Baretto is an open-air cafe and bar with stunning views overlooking the beach. The outdoor bench is in a prime location to watch the sunrise, enjoy a cup of joe or tuck into an oozing halloumi burger.
During daylight savings, evenings at Baretto is a Beaches favourite pastime, offering an all-Italian wine list, antipasti and bar snacks.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Friday, 6.30am–2.30pm and Saturday–Sunday, 7am–3pm
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Main image credit: Sammy's | Instagram
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