Northern Beaches offers a wide range of activities and enjoying these amenities can make you feel quite peckish. If you feel a little bit hungry while spending time in this Sydney suburb then we highly recommend visiting a cafe.
Unlike restaurants, cafes offer a more intimate experience, more soothing and comfortable vibes, and the comfort foods you need to replenish your energy reserves.
Our guide takes a look at the best cafes in Northern Beaches that all have great views. These cafes are ideal selections if you want to get the most out of your visit or if you want to truly impress colleagues or friends.
1. Habord Diggers – Award-Winning Venue and Outdoor Cafe in Freshwater
Harbord Diggers is an award-winning venue and one of the most popular cafes in Northern Beaches. This stunning cafe offers lots to do, see, explore, and taste. Here are some of the highlights of enjoying a meal at Harbord Diggers
Incredible Ocean View
The stunning ocean view is undoubtedly what draws most of their visitors. Harbord Diggers has a spacious outdoor seating area with a clear view of the sea and rocky beach. They also have stunning gardens with dining bars that will give you the best garden view.
Various Dining Bars
With various dining bars like the Bau Troung, DB Collective, Ocean Terrace, and others, you can pick your vibe. Each of these dining bars offers a unique menu and individual dining areas that each provide a very distinctive atmosphere.
Diverse Menu
The menu offered at this cafe is quite diverse. Harbord Diggers caters to all including children. With a huge selection of seafood, pizzas, burgers, and meaty dishes from their steakhouse, you are sure to find something to suit every craving.
Spacious Indoor Kids Play Area
The spacious indoor kid’s play area is another major attraction for this establishment. Parents often flock to this cafe because the play area offers plenty for younglings to do. They also have various party packages for children looking to celebrate birthdays.
Suitable for Functions and Conferences
The cafe is a perfect walk-in eatery but can also be booked for many functions or conferences. They offer ample seating and space and are an ideal option for businesses looking for an elegant venue with delicious food.
2. The Boathouse Shelly Beach – A Picturistic Cafe in Manly
The Boathouse in Shelly Beach is an ideal cafe for refreshing beverages and delicious lunches or dinners that can be enjoyed while beholding the stunning view of one of the most popular beaches. Let’s take a look at some of the best-loved features of The Boathouse Shelly Beach.
Impressive Beach View
The outdoor dining area of The Boathouse Shelly Beach is elevated which provides a very clear view of Shelly Beach and the calm waters the Cabbage Tree Bay. You can spend hours marvelling at the beautiful view while sipping fine-tasting beverages.
Suitable for Events and Weddings
Several weddings have been hosted at the Boathouse Shelly Beach and the photographs are absolutely mesmerizing. This is an ideal wedding venue if you want your guests to indulge in fine-tasting foods but can also be booked for conferences or other types of events.
Great Food
This cafe has a mouth-watering breakfast and lunch menu. The dishes range from delicious egg breakfasts to impressive mains like salads, pizzas, desserts, and seafood.
3. Bella Vista in North Head – A Cafe With One of the Best Views in Sydney
Bella Vista is a must-visit cafe if you find yourself exploring the sights and beaches in Manly. The unique positioning of the cafe provides an almost island-like vibe with a wide view of the surrounding Pacific Ocean. Visitors love to dine at Bella Vista since the cafe offers lots of appealing characteristics like the following.
Stunning Pacific Ocean View
One of the very best reasons for visiting Bella Vista is so you can indulge in fine-tasting foods while marvelling at the stunning deep blue hue of the Pacific Ocean. The relatively remote area also offers lots of space for movement so you can go for a walk after filling your belly.
Event Bookings
You can book this stunning cafe for a major event. The cafe accommodates up to 100 guests with a sit-down and dine capacity of up to 50 guests. You can book the cafe for conferences, birthday parties, or small weddings.
Delicious Food
Bella Vista in North Head Manly offers a breakfast and lunch menu. While the breakfast selections are energy-boosting and perfect for starting your day, their lunch menu is truly captivating and filled with unique dishes that you won’t find anywhere else.
4. Blue Water Cafe in Manly – Ideal for a Quick Bite
Bluewater Cafe is another good cafe to eat at while you are spending time at Manly. This cafe is just across the street from Manly Beach and is a hot spot among locals and visitors because of the wonderful food they serve.
Good Sea View
While the cafe doesn’t have a direct placement on the beach, it still provides a good view of the deep blue waters with glimpses of the beautiful beach. You can easily grab your meal as takeaway and walk across the street so you can munch on the beach.
Great Food
Guests love the foods and beverages of the cafe. While not too exotic, the meals are delicious, beautifully prepared, and very filling while the coffees are perfectly brewed and rich in aroma.
Great Vibe
The cafe has a relaxing and casual vibe and will instantly make you feel right at home.
5. Long Reef Golf Club in Collaroy – A Cafe With Stunning Grassy Scapes and Ocean Scenery
Long Reef Golf Club is an ideal eatery for golfing enthusiasts but you can also visit if you enjoy the scent of freshly cut grass or a view that offers a blend of grassy scapes, beach, and deep blue waters. The cafe at this golf club is popular because it has a lot to offer.
A Golfers Paradise View
This club is quite large and offers a very spacious and extremely scenic golf course that you can go and explore. This course is an ideal day excursion while the cafe is conveniently positioned to keep you full of energy while enjoying the game.
Weddings and Events
The cafe can be booked for weddings, events, and other functions. They can accommodate a generous guest count and will thrill all guests with a delightful meal.
Fine Foods
Enjoying a meal at the Long Reef Golf Club is an absolute must. This cafe is manned by a team of chefs who are experts at preparing classic dishes. The cafe is open to all members and the general public so anyone in the area can visit when they need great food and tranquil views.
6. Gridlers Cafe in Dee Why – A Multi-location Cafe You Can Rely on For Great Food
Gridlers Cafe in Dee Why is an ideal eatery to sit down at if you need a break from all of the hustle and bustle of this suburb. With a soothing atmosphere, good food, and a great view, it is easy to see why so many favour this cafe.
It is noteworthy that Gridleers Cafe has quite a few locations in Northern Beaches. This cafe is also located at Avalon, Warringah Mall, and Manly and each of these branches is extremely captivating with a wonderful vibe.
Beautiful Beach View
Gridlers Cafe looks out over Dee Why Beach and the deep blue waters of the South Pacific Ocean. This beautiful view combined with the refreshing sea air is bound to make you feel more relaxed than ever. The cafe certainly has a wonderful selection if you prefer to take long walks before or after enjoying a delicious meal.
A Unique Menu
The food served at Gridlers Cafe is truly unique. The dishes are all prepared from the freshest ingredients and most of the food options are just as impressive in their appearance as their taste. You will be awed by the beautiful presentation of all their dishes and the beverage menu also yearns to be explored.
Fine-Quality Coffee
The coffee served at this cafe is perfectly organic and chemical-free. With expertly trained baristas, the cafe certainly is a terrific spot for coffee lovers.
7. Plonk Beach Cafe at Fergusson Marina – A Harbour Cafe With an Inviting Atmosphere
Plonk Beach Cafe is a favourite among all boat owners. This cafe is located at The Spit giving you a close-up view of all of the stunning boats and yachts docking on the clear waters. The cafe is extremely popular and a perfect spot if you are planning on spending the day boating.
Surrounding Beach and Boat View
The unique positioning of this cafe provides an almost 360-degree view of blue waters. While the view is always captivating, you can have hours of fun staring at the stunning boats and yachts docking right next to the cafe.
Great Food
Plonk Beach Cafe’s menu is quite diverse. They offer a long beverage list, a diverse breakfast menu, lots of kiddies meals to choose from, an exciting mains menu, and a very tasty dessert menu. With a huge selection of seafood dishes, this is probably one of the best seafood cafes to visit while exploring Northern Beaches.
Weddings and Events
The cafe can also be booked for special events like weddings and can be a good location for conferences or parties. With beautiful scenery and great food, it certainly offers everything you need for a great event.
8. Sandy Bar Cafe in Clontarf – The Dog-Friendly Cafe all Locals Love
Sandy Bar Cafe in Clontarf is another good option if you love to marvel at beautiful boats while enjoying a fine meal. This cafe is positioned across from the Spit and is located on Dog Beach close to a small harbour and offers lots of delights like the following.
Stunning Watery and Harbour View
This cafe has a large deck stretched out in front of the bar where you can sit down and enjoy the impressive watery views. While sitting on this deck, you will be very close to the harbour and all of the boats docking here. The deck stretches out onto the open waters and part of the beach providing an idealistic atmosphere.
Great Food and Coffee
Sandy Bar Cafe offers lots of tasty coffees and teas to pick and choose from as well as other refreshing beverages like iced coffees, juices, sodas, and milkshakes. Their breakfast menu also has a great variety of delicious meals to choose from including some unique dishes that are worth exploring.
Bar and Snacks
This cafe also has a bar where you can order all sorts of delicious alcoholic beverages to enjoy along with some tasty snacks.
Dog Friendly
It is noteworthy that this cafe is dog friendly making it an ideal spot for a bite to eat while walking your furry friend.
9. The Marina Cafe at Church Point – A Beautiful Cafe for Waterside Dining
If you ever visit the shores of Pittwater then you simply must pop in at The Marina Cafe. This cafe in The Quays is an ideal breakfast spot for families and can also be a wonderful business meeting spot.
The Best Food
With some of the best seafood on Northern Beaches and interesting dishes like blue swimmer crab omelette, every meal at The Marina Cafe is a true adventure. This cafe serves breakfasts, light meals, kids meals, and desserts, and their bar is stocked with refreshing beverages to try.
Venue Hire
You can book the entire cafe interior and the waterfront outdoor area to host a special event. This beautiful space is idealistic for conferences, celebrations, or even weddings since the cafe can accommodate up to 120 guests if everything is properly arranged.
Stunning Waterfront View
While the food at The Marina Cafe is incredible, a lot of people frequent this cafe for its beautiful view and warm atmosphere. The cafe interior is fitted with glass walls so you can marvel at the crisp waters and collections of docked boats even on colder days. They also have outdoor seating and the positioning of the cafe is very convenient.
10. Cabana Beach Kiosk in Narrabeen – An Award-Winning Kiosk
Cabana Beach Kiosk offers a lot more elegance than you might expect from a kiosk. This cafe received the Best Cafe Award in 2023 and offers a perfect blend of style and elegance with a remarkable menu to explore.
Divine Menu Options
Those who visit this kiosk cannot get enough of the delicious breakfasts and lunches served here. The dishes are absolutely divine with a tropical edge and tasteful presentation. This cafe is also a favourite among coffee lovers since they have a diverse hot beverage menu and all tasty coffees are perfectly prepared by expertly trained baristas.
Beautiful Sea View
Cabana Beach Kiosk offers an amazing view of the ocean and Collaroy Beach. The outdoor dining area is placed on raised deck that provides an idealistic view of the vast horizons.
Event Bookings
This charming cafe can be booked for any type of event. They offer various function packages and different menu options for events like conferences or weddings.
Online Ordering
The kiosk also offers online ordering for those who want a delicious meal but don’t have the time to stop and enjoy the view. You can order any tasty treats you want from their online menu and the chefs will have it fully prepared and ready for pickup.
The Takeaway
Northern Beaches has plenty of terrific cafes to explore and we are certain that you will love the view and the food at these top 10 cafes in Northern Beaches. Let us know in the comments which of these cafes you tried and what you thought about their food or service.
Perhaps you would also like to sample the foods at some restaurants or need to locate some other good local business close to home?
At Search Frog, we strive to connect you with all of the best eateries and businesses that this beautiful part of Sydney has to offer. Stay tuned to our website and discover the top businesses and service providers near me.