Written by Alison Bone
These days brunch is all the rage but for early risers in the Northern Rivers, nothing beats a great breakfast after a morning walk or surf. Whether you are in the mood for a fresh baked pastry, farm fresh pitaya bowl, next level smashed avocado, or a cooked breakfast with the works, here’s some tasty suggestions for starting your day on the Tweed Coast.
Mockingbird Cafe
Set in a pretty garden with umbrella-shaded tables amidst the marigolds, Mockingbird Cafe has a firm local following. “We don’t sell breakfast, we sell a moment – it’s a space to share a good time,” says Ruben Reyes, who took over the Kingscliff institution in 2023. New on the breakfast menu are dishes like Chilli Eggs – scrambled eggs with fresh chilli, house-made sambal, avocado, feta, sourdough, and gluten free Corn Fritters with poached eggs, tzatziki, avocado, green salad relish. There’s also an enticing range of smoothies – think Green Machine and Coco Mango, plus Blackboard Coffee and house-made cakes. Be sure to try the Sicilian apple cake. While the sunny garden is the natural go-to, there is also an atmospheric seating area upstairs which makes a perfect spot for a working breakfast or meeting.
Hastings Point General Store
For traditional seaside Tweed charm, it’s hard to beat Hastings Point General Store. There is nothing fancy here – no shirt, no shoes, no problem – but meals are fresh and tasty, and the view over Cudgera Creek and the pounding surf beyond is fantastic. Watch the osprey soar and keep an eye out for beach stone-curlews and pied oystercatchers while tucking into a Bacon and Egg Roll, Eggs Benedict, Ham, Cheese and Tomato Toasty or a cooked breakfast with all the trimmings. There’s big fluffy butterscotch and white chocolate muffins too, and old school treats like caramel slice, vanilla slice and mint hedgehog.
Choux Box Restaurant & Bar
If you like a continental-style breakfast of coffee and a pastry, Kingscliff’s longstanding Choux Box has you covered, with a glistening glass cabinet filled with all kinds of delectable treats. Think perfectly moist lemon coconut and ricotta cakes, white chocolate and raspberry friands, and mini versions of everything so you can mix and match. The Belgian Waffles laden with chocolate, berries and ice cream also make a tasty treat. For something more wholesome, try the Vegan Brekkie Bowl which is packed with earthy green goodness. And if you fancy a Mimosa or Bloody Mary with breakfast, come after 10am.
Tropical Fruit World
Set high on a ridge with sweeping views of the hinterland and coast, Tropical Fruit World is the perfect place to bring friends from out of town for a little slice of Tweed magic. Entrance to the atmospheric, tropical cafe is free, and with sprawling plantations including 3000 avocado trees (it was once known as Avocadoland), you are guaranteed a fabulous Avo on Toast, served with marinated goat cheese, lemon myrtle dukkha & herbs from the garden. More in the mood for something fruity? The Pitaya Bowl is made with farm-grown dragon fruit, while Cudgen Pumpkin & Ricotta features a honey roasted wedge of pumpkin encrusted with macadamia nuts & seeds. After breakfast, browse the fabulous selection of tropical fruit and fruit trees in the shop, or join a fun plantation tour. Tropical Fruit World also hosts Duranbah Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.
Caba Social
This cruisy cafe has a casual beach shack vibe and fiddle leaf fig fringed terrace on the sidewalk in Cabarita. Start your day with a Cabalicious Smoothie or Latte accompanied by a fresh baked almond croissant or blueberry scone. For something heartier, there’s a Signature Salmon Stack and house-made Spiced Baked Beans with buttered spinach parmesan and fresh herbs. But for the ultimate post surf feast there’s no going past the legendary Caba Deluxe Breaky Burger with crispy bacon or halloumi, fried egg, crunchy hash brown, spinach, house relish and avocado – washed down with a famous Caba Social Milkshake or Iced Chocolate.
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