Where to find the best coffee in Newcastle

Are you on the hunt for great coffee in Newcastle? You're in luck – our coastal city has evolved into a thriving hub for coffee connoisseurs, with talented baristas and passionate roasters elevating the local café scene to new heights.

From the aromatic house blends that have locals lining up each morning to the specialty coffee experiences that rival those of Melbourne or Sydney, Newcastle's coffee culture offers something for every palate.

In this insider's guide, we'll take you on a journey through Newcastle's most celebrated coffee destinations, sharing the spots where locals get their daily fix and visitors can experience the exceptional quality that has put our city on Australia's specialty coffee map.

Look for the (fast-moving) queue of office workers grabbing their morning takeaways, and you know you're onto a good thing. Tucked at the top of Bolton Street, Xtraction in Newcastle East has earned itself a reputation as a go-to for punchy morning brews.

Bolton Street Pantry is only half a block away, and if you want a boujee bacon and egg roll along with your coffee, then this might just be the ticket. Flavoursome food is their thing, so you won't want to miss this one, whether it's avo on toast and a piccolo or a brunch bowl and a long black.

Nearby is the laid back and grounded café, Good Brother on King Street. Known for their range of 'Slingtown' coffee blends, which are also for sale by the bag, this is the perfect spot to relax and grab a quick bite to eat. Their expertly grilled toasties are gooey cheese perfection – the ultimate breakfast or lunch fave. Whether you’re after a morning brew, a bite to eat, or just a spot to unwind, Good Brother has you covered.⁠

Meanwhile, a block or so towards the beach is Moor Newcastle East, opposite Pacific Park. This café offers specialty coffee – a legendary local blend, Floozy Coffee Roasters – and a seasonal whole foods menu. And it's never too early to have a slice of house-made baklava cheesecake, right?

Stopping by at Moor is then the perfect excuse, with coffee in hand, to stroll over to Newcastle Beach and watch the surfers paddle out in Shark Alley. Estabar, The Kiosk Newcastle Beach, Liquid Gold, 23 Hundred Espresso, East End Hub and Southy Canteen are also in this hood – didn't we tell you that Newcastle loves its coffee!

At the other end of the CBD and diagonally opposite the University of Newcastle’s city campus is New Slang from Alaric Daley (known as Al) of Union Coffee Roasters and his team of talented baristas. The coffee’s tight brunch menu hits the spot.

A few doors down, the eclectic literary vibes at the Press Book House are a refreshing accompaniment to the heady brews available from the talented Press baristas. This cosy café invites you to grab a book, settle in, and treat yourself to some pastries or an author-inspired toastie, or order your coffee and people watch from the small roadside bar and seating area.

Just around the corner from the Newcastle Museum, the Smiling Monk serves up light lunches alongside their delicious brews. Or just off the end of Hunter Street Mall, Mr. Sister coffee is tucked away down a small laneway, perfect for meandering and taking in Newcastle's newly rebuilt city area.

Alternatively, walk along the Hunter Street Mall to grab a takeaway from Ground Floor or One Penny Black in the Hunter Street Mall and take a stroll along the harbour foreshore.

A coffee adventure in Newcastle must include one of two streets – ideally both! Darby St and Hamilton's Beaumont St. First up, Darby Street is home to some veritable local institutions, including Goldbergs Coffee House. The rich wood interior and warming food and drink are why, any day of the week, this place is a-buzz with people.

Autumn Rooms on Darby St is just one of two locations where you can enjoy one of the best breakfasts in the city (a ferry adventure to Stockton will take you to their other café). The food here looks as pretty as it tastes, and well, it's a local fave for very good reason. Baba Yaga, House of Roast, and Three Monkeys Café are all top options.

For something extra special in a super inviting and ultra cool way, Lolas Darby St is where you need to head. The all-day menu is OMG #chefskiss!

And then there's Beaumont St still to visit! Here you'll find the likes of Lords Coffee & Associates and Blue Door Hamilton up one end and Akira Café closer to Hamilton Station. A quick jaunt across the tracks into Islington will also reward you with an opportunity to get Slingtown brews, straight from the source, at Slingtown Espresso.

Back in the Beaumont St heartland, Bowie is where you can indulge in Single Origin ONA coffee, alongside a fresh and fragrant granola, perfectly toasted sourdough, or their signature, Bowie Breakfast. Just off the strip is the home of Cakeboi, which is undoubtedly famous for their incredible cakes, but the coffees are also always on point – Floozy Coffee Roasters strike again!

Fuel up at pooch-friendly Dark Horse in the industrial heart of inner-city Wickham. Then, take a walk around the surrounding streets to check out the colourful street art, or head over towards the harbour for brews at the Wickham Boatshed.

Nearby on Downie Street in Maryville, a sumptuous coffee and bakery combo is found at Uprising Bakery. Try a cold brew and a house-made treat (the lemon and white chocolate tart is to die for) and settle in at this minimalistic bakery come café with its industrial warehouse feel.

Across the bridge into Carrington, coffee lovers are in for a real treat with a host of unique and delightful cafés on offer. Pavilion by Slingtown serves up rich and smooth coffee along with a hearty dose of community and creativity.

MOA & Co is another creative space in Carrington with coffee at its heart. And Ground Up Espresso on Young Street is a bright and airy nook where you can sit and drink a Suspension Coffee blend over quality conversation and classic breakfast fare.

Elmas on Clyde is making waves in Hamilton North with its fresh-inspired menu and coffee by local roaster Ellie from Tapestry Coffee Roasters. Relax and enjoy your coffee under the towering gum trees, before checking out the second-hand furniture stores along Clyde Street. And Elmas after dark – not that's a great idea! Small plates and tasty mains, yes please.

It’s also well worth taking the time while on your Newcastle stay to explore Mayfield East, where the likes of Equium Social will impress the most ardent of coffee connoisseurs. Unison Coffee Roasters is Equium's coffee of choice, and when enjoyed alongside an avocado tartine, sourdough crumpets, or their indulgent take on curried eggs – well, you know you're going to have a great day.

Cross back over the rail tracks, and in neighbouring Tighes Hill, you’ll find the highly regarded Praise Joe Urban Pantry. The coffee is consistently a Newcastle favourite, and fun fact, co-owner Phillip Gameson once cooked for the queen. Treat yourself to fully loaded cookies, decadent pastries, and multi-layered toasties when you stop and sit at this Tighes Hill community hub.

With an emphasis on local and house-made, Corner House on the back streets of Cooks Hill pushes the boundaries of its compact kitchen. The coffee here is from Single O. Afterwards, when you're all fueled up, make sure you check out Papa Sven, a homewares and clothing shop located just across the road. This curated boutique has to be one of the best places to pick up the cutest of Scandi and Nordic designs, including some pretty special coffee cups!

The Junction is home to the one and only Talulah Café. This is an inviting and homely space welcoming food lovers and caffeine fiends 7 days a week. Their seasonal menu is served alongside ONA Single Origin Coffee, plus Matcha, Chai, and Turmeric Lattes for those trying to cut back on the caffeine.

Akuna Café is also not far from Merewether Beach. This popular local café is known for its good coffee, whole foods, and kid-friendly courtyard. Convoy Commune and Paper Run Espresso Bar are great spots to grab a coffee on the run and head to the beach, or sit back on a Sunday and watch the day float by.

Steer away from the well-worn tourist trail for Sprocket Roasters in Lambton. Sustainability is at the centre of everything this innovative crew does – and it's an easy win when the coffee is loved just as much by taste buds as it is by the planet. Also in Lambton is relative newcomer, Crumb Coffee. This place is top line pastries all the way, but the coffee is also up there for quality.

Top tip: Crumb Coffee sell out of their pastries early and it is not uncommon to line up for the freshest bakes of a morning. Get in early and you'll be golden.

Whether you're seeking that perfect strong coffee to kickstart your day, a meticulously crafted single-origin pour-over, or simply a reliably good coffee in a welcoming atmosphere, Newcastle's diverse café landscape delivers. The only question is: which brew will you try first?

New venues continue to emerge while established local favourites consistently refine their offerings, ensuring the city's coffee landscape remains dynamic and exciting.