15 delightful Tweed cafes and bakeries

A region not short of good coffee and a baked treat to go with it, these casual eateries from Tweed Heads cafes to incredible coastal bakeries will fuel a sunny north coast adventure.

Sip and nibble your way through the Tweed with the region’s long list of delicious cafes and beautiful bakeries. Stylish, produce-driven and displaying dedicated artistry, this hit-list is full of casual, beachy haunts that pour seriously good coffee and some of the best sourdough you’ve ever crunched into. From croissants at a properly French Kingscliff patisserie to refined cafe fare at Pottsville, keep this article bookmarked for your next meal.

1. Baked at Ancora, Tweed Heads

Grab a coffee and croissant and sit waterside at this Tweed Heads cafe favourite, where you can watch the river sparkle as you enjoy freshly baked goods under the shade of generous trees. The Paris meets the Northern Rivers picnic vibe is perfect for sunny weekends and pooches are welcome, too.

Here, they take their croissants seriously, making them a non-negotiable menu item, but there are also plenty of other options, such as elegant pastries and tempting breakfast and lunch plates.

Address: 118 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads

2. Next Door Espresso, Tweed Heads

Next Door Espresso is a bright and breezy eatery that plates up simple classics made well and served with genuine, sunshine-y smiles. Having spent time in America, the owners returned Down Under to bring US-style hospitality to the Northern Rivers. Adding good-quality, Aussie-approved coffee and cafe favourites, such as brekky burgers and corn fritters, they’ve created a welcoming hub in Tweed Heads South and north-of-the-border venue, Burleigh Heads.

Address: 56 Dry Dock Road, Tweed Heads South

3. Bread Social, Tweed Heads

Arguably the makers of the best sourdough in the region, if not the state, Bread Social’s Tweed Heads bakery and cafe hums every day from 6.30am to 3pm, supplying locals with their daily bread and caffeine. You’ll also find an array of impossible-to-resist pastries, fat doughnuts and golden focaccia, which you can nibble outside on Bay Street or in the adjacent dining room. Bread Social also run occasional sourdough masterclasses or themed nights, such as ramen night.

Address: 12A Bay Street, Tweed Heads

4. Rob Roy Deli, Tweed Heads

Not quite a cafe or a bakery, Rob Roy Deli is a must-visit to stock up delicious provisions for any stay on the Tweed. You’ll find everything you need for your evening snack plate and tipple here, from natural wines, craft beers and artisan spirits to cheese, pickles and fresh deli cuts.

Address: 1/20 Bay Street, Tweed Heads

5. Cubby Bakehouse, Chinderah

Set across from the Tweed River, the locally loved Cubby Bakehouse is your go-to for sweet treats and carb-cravings.

From Biscoff biscuits to karaage chicken banh mi, everything coming out of the kitchen is dialled up with flavour to fully satisfy your lust for baked goods. Grab an outside table in the sweet garden and savour the moment.

Address: 162 Chinderah Bay Drive, Chinderah

6. Salt Mill, Kingscliff

The petite Salt Mill cafe is perfectly located for pre-beach coffee runs with its location right across the road from both park and beach and just a few steps more to beautiful Kingscliff Creek.

Grab your usual baked goods of croissants and banana bread or savoury sambos and wraps here and sit outside under an umbrella, inside, or on the grass across from the car park.

Address: 20 Marine Parade, Kingscliff

7. The French Patisserie, Kingscliff

A little touch of Paris by the beach, this Salt Village patisserie tempts with your classic French delights from macarons to gateau, croquembouche and petit four. You can pop in for a breakfast croissant, settle in for an elegant high tea with friends, or order a celebration cake for that special occasion.

Address: 1–25 Bells Boulevard, Kingscliff

8. Saltbean Cafe, Kingscliff

This oceanside kiosk is awash with holiday vibes. Sip your morning latte to the soundtrack of crashing waves as you plan your day flitting from sand to surf.

Eats here are fresh and filling to fuel a day on the beach, from the chilli scramble to a brunch burger and smoothies loaded with fruit and veggies. Take a seat inside or grab your order and stretch out on the grass across the road.

Address: 1 Bells Boulevard, Kingscliff

9. Tucker, Casuarina

The laidback and stylish Tucker eatery showcases local producers with a classic menu that’s all the more delicious thanks to house-made elements. Using ingredients created and grown in the Northern Rivers, from Blackboard coffee to Bread Social baked goods, the tucker here is both considered and delicious. Dive into the shroom scramble, quinoa rice bowl or halloumi bowl and taste the flavour of the region.

Address: T1/480 Casuarina Way, Casuarina

10. Nectar, Cabarita Beach

With its soft, pastel-pink hues and beach chic styling, Nectar cafe on Cabarita’s high street eases you into the day. Bagels and sandwiches with rockstar names take you from breakfast to lunch. Try The Jagger with corned beef and sauerkraut, The Blondie with roast pumpkin and haloumi or The Bowie bagel with just a slick of cream cheese. Slurp down a smoothie and watch the bustle beyond or peruse the curation of items for sale before you make your way to the beach behind.

Address: 34 Tweed Coast Road, Cabarita Beach

11. Caba Bakehouse, Cabarita Beach

A classic bakery serving the all-time favourites of pies, sausage rolls croissants and cakes, this is also the spot to enjoy a good coffee and people-watch. It’s a comfortable indoor-outdoor space with no pretention, just the Aussie staples.

Address: 3/51 Tweed Coast Road, Bogangar

12. Black Drop, Pottsville

Cool and casual, the charismatic little Black Drop cafe in beachside Pottsville is alive with activity from breakfast through to lunch. The coffee is excellent, the staff are friendly and the food is elevated.

While you’ll find the usual crowd-pleasers on the menu, such as bacon and egg rolls, expect to be delighted by innovative specials and beautifully crafted dishes. Check the website for their semi-regular themed nights, which may be anything from steak night to ’70s-inspired.

Address: 18 Philip Street, Pottsville

13. Corner Stop Espresso Bar, Pottsville

For such a small town, Pottsville is well-endowed with great coffee. The Corner Stop Espresso Bar is the perfect sunny location to spend time with hands wrapped around your favourite brew.

You’ll also be supplied with fresh, lean and green or more robust cafe fare, should you feel inclined to dine. It’s a short stroll from here to the beach or creek or back to the caravan park across the road. There’s an occasional evening pop-up night, see check the website.

Address: 6/1 Coronation Avenue, Pottsville

14. Baker & Farmer, Pottsville

The Baker & Farmer bakery is also a cafe, night time eatery, and bar. In the daylight hours, you can grab and go with your usual baked good suspects of lamingtons, custard tarts and pies or sit with a coffee and wrap. Come afternoon and into the early evening, the bar mixes cocktails, pours cold ones on-tap and offers up everything from tapas to share boards and burgers.

Address: 1/10 Coronation Ave, Pottsville

15. Keith, Murwillumbah

Swing by this cool Mur’bah cafe when in town for an excellent coffee and equally excellent eats. There are house-made treats and dishes to entice using locally sourced, seasonal produce, such as a curry leaf rosti, winter beans draped with delicate ham or an artful iteration of avo toast.

Address: 132 Murwillumbah Street, Murwillumbah

For more eating out options, read our guide to the Tweed to find all the best eats around the region.