Breakfast in the Southern Highlands never disappoints. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite and coffee on the way to work, or you’re after a leisurely brunch, the Highlands has you covered.
Here’s my round up of the best breakfast places the Southern Highlands has to offer.
MITTAGONG
Station Coffee House
This divine cafe has lovely coffee and delicious food, both prepared with love. The service is friendly and the staff accommodating, whether you’re there with little ones, a big group or eating alone. I love its quirky interior, with the Penny Farthing on the wall and a choice of communal seating, or a table for yourself.
The Shaggy Cow
A Mittagong staple, this serves up hearty traditional breakfast fare all day. Think: Eggs Benedict with House Made Sourdough and Vegetarian Rolled Omelette made with local free-range eggs. Lighter offerings include scones, muffins and seasonal fruit. Vegan requests and other dietary requirements are easily catered for. The Shaggy Cow is also licensed, so you should be able to order a Mimosa or a Bloody Mary if you so desire.
Four Seasons Bistro
Famed for its mouth-watering vegetarian and vegan meals, even the most ardent meat eaters will love the food here. Don’t miss the ‘Very Vegan’, a generous serving of vegan sausages, Four Season spiced beans, ‘cheesy’ onion potato cake, garlic mushrooms and balsamic roasted tomato.
Coffee Culture
A Bowral staple for years, owner Chris recently opened another cafe in Mittagong. Both eateries are renowned for superb coffee – the beans are roasted on the premises and available to purchase and take home. As for breakfasts, they’re hearty and delicious. The Special Club Sandwich is an absolute favourite. Also, grab the house made Cocoa Chia Coconut Bliss Balls, a healthy, vegan-friendly sweet snack that are also gluten- and sugar-free.
BOWRAL
Raw and Wild Market and Cafe
This is great for the more health conscious amongst us. Even if that’s not your focus, you’ll still love their breakfasts. There’s emphasis on local and organic, with plenty to satisfy meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike. Those who have to (or just prefer to) eat gluten-free are well looked after here, too. Raw and Wild is also super dog-friendly, with a spacious courtyard out the back and even a doggie menu!
Early Bird Café
Perfect for early starters, anyone who has to commute to work, or those who simply want a take-out cuppa to go with their morning power walk. This little ‘hole in the wall’ is renowned for speedy service, stellar tea and coffee and one of the best bacon and egg rolls in the district. Located near the junction of Bong Bong and Merrigang Streets in Bowral, it’s open from 5am, seven days a week.
Janek’s Café
Located in Corbett Plaza, this is a cosy little eatery offering hearty morning meals. The European style coffee is strong and hot, just as we like it, and the service is friendly and efficient. Don’t miss the signature French toast, served with the traditional side of bacon and maple syrup!
The Press Shop
Located on the corner of Bowral and Bong Bong Streets in the Acre complex, The Press Shop has a seasonally changing menu boasting the best produce from across the Southern Highlands. My current favourites are Avocado on Toast (they don’t scrimp on avo – expect a generous serving!), as well as Waffles with vanilla parfait, lemon fruit curd and meringue. Truffled Scrambled Eggs on sourdough also always satisfies. The coffee is always sensational, too!
Plantation is an extension of Harry’s on Green Lane. It’s also part of The Acre complex, situated a little way along Bowral Street, towards Dirty Jane’s Emporium. The beautiful space is only rivalled by the menu. Morning meals include Chia Breakfast Bowl, Plantation Big Breakfast and Tunisian Baked Eggs!
MOSS VALE
Highlands Merchant,
Situated conveniently on Argyle Street (next to Susie Anderson), Highlands Merchant features a weekly changing menu and all-day breakfasts. Ingredients are locally sourced, and meals are created with small batch principles in mind, to save food wastage and ensure freshness. A local favourite is Mushrooms and Poached Eggs on Sourdough – delicious! The coffee and tea is top notch, and you’ll find a selection of fresh muffins, cakes and pastries, as well as locally made preserves, jams and pickles, on the counter.
Rush Cafe
Across the road from Highlands Merchant, Rush Cafe is super stylish and long renowned for serving some of the best brewed coffee in the region. The food is really yummy, too, with delicious breakfasts served from 6.30am six days a week.
BERRIMA
Magpie Café
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time, with antique furniture, beautiful tea and scones and peaceful surrounds. It’s dog-friendly, so grab a table outside and enjoy a leisurely breakfast with your canine best mate!
Peppergreen Estate
As well as it’s wonderful Cellar Door, Peppergreen Estate also offers terrific breakfast feasts! While a cellar door and tasting room, well-known local chef Mark Chance cooks up a storm in the morning, serving such delights as Spanish Eggs with capsicum, tomato, spices, chilli jam, chorizo and toast.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll love the Coconut Bread with honeycomb butter and maple syrup!
EXETER
Exeter General Store
This cosy space is a café, food store, post office and a much-loved local meeting place. Eggs are cooked and served how you like, laid fresh that morning by happy and well-cared for Exeter chooks.
Exeter General Store.
The Breakfast Bowl is a healthy but filling and super-tasty meal. It features the aforementioned eggs, sautéed cabbage, spinach, leeks, shallots, bacon, parmesan and sourdough. On cooler mornings, you’ll love the Whiskey Porridge, served with chai poached pears, brown sugar and sweet spiced dukkha.
BUNDANOON
DeliLicious
The owner/operator here set out with the intent of reviving the old fashioned deli. They succeeded, and created a much-loved community hub where locals linger over fab coffee and fresh food. It’s also super dog friendly, and even devotes an entire Facebook album to the dogs that visit.
Jumping Rock Café
Thi features a seasonally changing menu made from local ingredients. Breakfast faves include House Made Corn Fritters with avocado and feta smash, smoked salmon and house made chutney.
Customers recently started a ‘pay it forward’ game, where someone will randomly give the owners $5 and offer to pay for the next person’s coffee. This has sparked a lovely community initiative and filled Bundanoon with caffeinated joy each morning. I just love it!
Potters Pantry Bundanoon
Situated where the post office used to be. Locals flock here for great coffee, tea made the way the English love it and rich, thick hot chocolate. The food’s not bad either. I just love the Waffles Benny, sweet waffles with a side of bacon and poached local eggs with Benedict sauce!
The Breakfast Burger is amazing and the Caramel and Banana Crumpets are perfect for satisfying sweet cravings.
BURRAWANG
Burrawang General Store
Thi local icon has been sitting pretty in picturesque Hoddle Street since 1867! It was once a simple general store, but these days it is a well-known culinary destination!
The Belgian Waffles with banana, maple whipped ricotta and wet walnuts are to die for! Feeling hungry? Try the hearty Breakfast Burger, with bacon, egg, avocado, cheese, tomato, sweet potato hash brown and sweet and spicy relish.
ROBERTSON
Moonacres
Moonacres started out as a farm and evolved into a thriving café, and now a cooking school and experience destination! It use its own produce in its seasonally changing menu. Breads and pastries are made in house daily. The house-made pickles and jams used in the meals served and can also be purchased to take home.
Stand out dishes include Morning Broth, a hearty meat broth with cabbage, boiled egg and a cheese toasty, as well as Morning Bruschetta, with beetroot, goat’s cheese and citrus. There’s also a kid’s breakfast menu, which will keep little faces smiling.
Locals love to ride their horses here and enjoy a relaxed, lazy breakfast. It’s a sight to behold!
Well, that should be enough to keep your hunger at bay for quite some time! Let me know if you think I’ve forgotten anything, and if you wish to know more about life in the Southern Highlands, feel free to stop by my office on Bong Bong Street, or visit our website.
Love, Di xx
