ALDI

Sunday lunchtime and this place was packed and with a long queue. We had been told the pies here…read morewere good. They also had a McDonalds across the road which usually takes a bit of custom away. We were unimpressed with the food. The pies were OK and the pastries were a bit on the small size but OK. Considering the price they were charging, they could have been much better. An odd indicator was that there were no birds around to eat the pastry...I hoped they weren't in the pies On the positive side, we were able to get a parking spot, and somewhere to sit down. The tables were wiped down regularly and most of the customers wore masks. We won't be back in a hurry as there are plenty of small cafes on and off the main drag that have better quality food and are value for money.

I admit I always stop at this place on my way North and then again heading south and to home…read more Pies are freshly made daily and taste delicious just like a home made version , parking is pretty much always available if not at the shop then across the road where you enter Bathroom are always clean and they are open 7 days a week pretty much 365 days a year They also make a great coffee with plant based milk available As well as the great range of pies they have a beautiful selection of pastries lamingtons and doughnuts The Vanilla slice is amazing ! Plenty of dine in space available with covered outside dining tables also available as well as bench style tables if you want to sit in the sun and enjoy your meal A great alternative to the usual fast food options that are spotted along the highway

Lake Macquarie City Farmer's Market

4.5

(2 reviews)

The best Farmer's Markets!!! In beautiful parklands, huge award winning kids playground on one…read moreside, and the Lake Macquarie waterfront on the other. Relaxed, family friendly. Oh, and great stalls.

Always a lovely break from the usual shops. Enjoy lunch by the lake (especially the gozleme from…read morethe friendly gentleman) and can easily take the kids. It's also pet-friendly. The coffee places we tried weren't great - wish they had decent cold coffee options. Sometimes produce can be a bit too pricey so we just buy specific products like soaps, jams, oils. Fresh produce are great though when you can get good prices. Love helping our local farmers and small business owners when we can.

Millers Pie & Sandwich Bar

Exceptional Service and products. Ladies there always have a friendly smile, bit of banter, ,and…read moreserve the most delicious pies and pasties in Newcastle. Make the trip into this old school, traditional bakery, you will not regret it!

Salamander Village Butchery

•$$

Went by word of mouth to check these guys out and couldn't be happier…read more Just a quick stop in and we have found our new local butcher

Greenhills Daily Bakehouse

Crispy roast pork banh mi! The fresh crunchy roll was filled…read morewith a generous amount of pickled carrot, cucumber, fresh coriander, chilli and lashings of crispy roast pork and crackling. Definitely tradie-sized, and at just $11 it's incredible value. No wonder there's a steady stream of customers buying banh mi!

Welsh Blacks

3.3

(4 reviews)

I work close to this cafe. I thought it was cool! I ordered a milkshake during the last few weeks…read more At BEST, was below average and was so expensive for approx 300ml milkshake coming in at $8.00! For just a dollar more (!) I could have got a fresh fruit smoothie but trying to be conservative and frugal...

Slow and sleepy never worked so well as it does at Welsh Blacks. Normally paired with negative…read moreconnotation, the laid back vibe of this Cooks Hill cafe make it the perfect partner to the tree-and-terrace lined streets that surround it. The customers are a blend of bare-footed surfer dudes and suited 9-5ers. A short walk from the hip Darby Street, Welsh Blacks offers a different pace and a haven for those who enjoy the art of coffee. Just as their business card says, these guys are "coffeesmiths." It's their trade. They're not young upstarts paying their way through uni. This is their full-time jam and it shows. The food menu is sparse and that I'm sure is a deliberate act. There's a few cakes and slices, two toasties, a salad and a chia pudding to select from. Most sit under the $10 mark. Unfortunately the morning I arrived their grinder wasn't playing fair. They were so apologetic to customers as they explained there was up to a 15 minute wait while they took stock of the situation. While it eventually was up and running I'm aware it may have altered their brews for the day and in this case I say, "Great marketing fair chaps!" because it's this reason (also the fact they're super cool and it's a chilled vibe) I'll be returning to enjoy more of their coffee menu.

Greg & Audreys

4.8

(4 reviews)

Longing for a nostalgic taste of America? Bottles and cans of soda, ever changing ice cream…read moreflavours, floats, shakes and dogs? This is the place for you. At $8 each my partner and I ordered a Nutella and milo supershake (topped with cream and a cherry). The Nutella definitely shone through but wasn't as cold as the milo. Maybe the Nutella had been heated to make a more liquid consistency? The milo was more subtle allowing you to appreciate its creamily milky beginnings. Don't eat the cherry though. They are filthy and should be banned! My partner however did not know this and made some interesting faces as he found out. Served in a classic milkshake glass (I adore those), accompanied by enough leftovers to fill your glass again. I ordered the philly cheese steak with a $3 half serve of fries. I was skeptical about the fries serving but was surprised at what I received. More than enough to satisfy this hungry girls needs. The steak on the philly was very tender but the sandwich was overpowered by the capsicum. Not a bad flavour but very similar to eating pizza that has capsicum. Not sure it's a true philly cheese steak. I always thought the cheese was more runny? A small space but nicely appointed with wooden walls that extend to some bench seating. Order at counter with table service and a joke if the staff are feeling cheeky.

Best ice cream in Lake Mac, they have lovely staff & a beautiful aesthetic in their shop.read more

The Source Cafe

3.8

(5 reviews)

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A local food page admin has been singing the praises of this cafe and after finally trying myself I…read morecan happily agree. It's the complete package. Good food, tick. Casual atmosphere, tick. Water views and walking track out the front, tick tick. Its odd position; behind a row of townhouses by Throsby Creek, makes it a bit secretive but they are thriving. This is Newcastle to me. My veg wrap for lunch was filling with the option to add chips if you're extra hungry. Stuffed with pumpkin, mushrooms and haloumi. My partner and I disagreed on his chilli prawn linguine. He was reaching for water after the first bite with me thinking the level of heat was just right. Chilli aside, we agreed it was delicious. Breakfast 8-12pm. Lunch 12-3pm. Dinner Friday and Saturday 6-9pm. No split bills. 10% surcharge on Sundays and public holidays. 25% off using the 2018/19 Entertainment Book.

I go to The Source regularly. It is my local. They supported the local community during the height…read moreof COVID - and received plenty of support in return. Coffee is good; food varies with the sea as one; service friendly and efficient; great views; child and dog friendly. Couldn't ask for anything more from the local cafe.

Merewether Fresh Bake

Best pies lovely food and friendly customer service I would highly recommend this shopread more

French Hot Bread Shop

3.0