As the crisp winter air settles in there is no better time to set out on a warm and flavour-filled journey across our region’s most delightful cafes.

This winter, we’re encouraging you to discover the hidden gems and local favourites that make Lake Macquarie a haven for food and drink lovers.

Lake Macquarie City Council is inviting you to discover some of the region’s most enticing foodie experiences and be in with a chance to WIN Sunday brunch on the Lake for six people on board a luxury 40ft Beneteau yacht with Silver Sun Sailing.

How to enter:

-   Dine at any foodie location in Lake Macquarie
-   Post a photo or video of your foodie experience on Instagram using the hashtag #LakeMacFoodie, tagging @visitlakemac, and the venue you’re dining at
-   Show some love by following the Visit Lake Mac Instagram page
-   Tag a friend you’d love to invite for a feast on the luxury yacht

For more information on this epic competition, click here.

To get your tastebuds tingling, check out our guide to six of our favourite cafes to visit in The Lake Macquarie area – curating your very own winter cafe foodie trail – happy cafe hopping!

Cargo Espresso

Where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the salty sea breeze, Cargo Espresso at Redhead Beach invites you in for a coffee hit, a modern beach kiosk feed, and one of the best spots in town to whale watch over the winter season.

Serving up coffee thanks to local coffee roasters, Sprocket, Cargo Espresso’s loaded menu includes quality breakfast eats, burgers, seafood bites, toasties, and more.
Where: 1C Beach Rd, Redhead 

Good One

Next, head on out to Good One, situated in the former Common Circus space right on the shores of Lake Macquarie in Belmont.

Brought to you by the team behind Glee Coffee Roasters, Good One has been transformed into a cosy space that lives up to its name with a menu full of toastie options, simple (yet delicious) brunch flavours, and irresistible sweets and treats.
Where: 36 Brooks Pde, Belmont

Mama P

In Charlestown right on the Pacific Highway you’ll find the longstanding favourite – Mama P. Full of raw, organic, and tasty treats, everything available in store is actually good for you!

With so much demand for healthy food and living alternatives, owners Kylie and James Pheils have managed to crack the secret tasty code using only natural wholefood ingredients to create their cafe menu as well as an exclusive range of ready-made whole raw cakes.
Where: 2/142 Pacific Hwy, Charlestown

Mr. Sister Speers Point

Well-known in Newcastle for being one of the best coffee spots in town, Mr. Sister opened its Lake Macquarie space along the main road in Speers Point back in 2020 and has since been a go-to in the local community’s coffee scene.

The crisp white exterior and undeniable street presence invites you into this coffee haven. The coffee menu itself is made for the true coffee connoisseurs – whether you’re down for a standard latte, flat white, cappuccino, or even a batch brew, Mr. Sister Coffee has you covered.

The food menu, whilst simple, is packed with flavour. Choose from a selection of toasties, quiche, sweet treats, and their newest addition – the loaded focaccia.
Where: 177 Main Rd, Speers Point 

Sabi Cafe

Continue your trail over to Sabi Cafe in Toronto, where you’ll find a serene escape with a menu that celebrates fresh and seasonal ingredients. Choose from a hearty toastie, explore its all-day breakfast menu, or dig on into a gourmet pie.

The muted colour palette invites you in from Wharf Road, with people constantly flowing onto the indoor/outdoor seating space. With Lulu’s Gelato next door and just a short hop, skip, and a jump away from the water’s edge, a visit to Sabi Cafe should be on your winter foodie cafe trail hit-list.
Where: Wharf Rd, Toronto

Yoga Place Cafe

Finally, unwind at the Yoga Place Cafe in Blacksmiths, where health-conscious dishes and revitalising drinks await. Brought to you by born and bred local, Alyx-Jane, The Yoga Place Cafe is home to a delicious wholefood plant-based offering situated in a sweet garden-like setting.

This peaceful cafe is perfect for those seeking a nourishing (and wholesome) end to their cafe hopping around Lake Macquarie.
Where: 6 Mitti St, Blacksmiths

Each of these venues offers a unique slice of Lake Macquarie’s vibrant cafe culture, making this winter the perfect time to explore, indulge, and enjoy the best the region has to offer.

So grab your warmest coat, gather your friends, and set out on the ultimate winter cafe foodie trail – your taste buds will thank you. Plus, don’t forget to follow the prompts for Lake Macquarie Council’s winter foodie trail competition!