If you're planning a visit to the Hunter Valley don't forget to organise the most important meal of the day. Here's our guide to some of the Hunter Valley's best breakfast venues in Pokolbin, Lovedale and beyond.

Café Enzo 

Café Enzo is the perfect spot to catch some morning rays in the open outdoor courtyard whilst you enjoy a coffee and bite to eat for brekkie. The menu has some great classics, with a Bacon & Egg Roll, a Seasonal Fruit Bowl and the Enzo Big Breakfast. But we get particularly excited about the two specialty breakfast boards. The Vego Breakfast Board and the Ham Breakfast Board, both come with poached eggs, feta from Binnorie fetta, avocado, roast cherry tomatoes, and pistachio red pesto all served with sourdough.
Where: Broke Rd & Ekerts Rd, Pokolbin
Open: Mon-Sun | 8am-4pm

Emerson’s Restaurant

Located in the Adina Vineyard, chef Emerson Rodriguez’s many years of industry experience is evident in the delicious food served for breakfast at Emerson’s Restaurant. Mouth-watering options include the Classic Shakshuka baked eggs with spiced tomato, red capsicum stew, fetta, and flatbread, and the Pancakes with berry compote, honeycomb, maple syrup and Chantilly cream.
Where: 492 Lovedale Rd, Lovedale
When: Sat-Sun | 8am-3pm

Fawk Foods Kitchen & Bakery

A great option for a casual breakfast, and boasting an extensive selection of baked goods and sweet treats that changes daily! Additionally, there’s an all-day (8am-2pm) breakfast menu, which includes the Fawk’s Breakfast Roll, or, if you’re after a vegetarian alternative, we recommend giving the Veggie Breakfast Roll a go! These guys are open 7 days a week and along with their barista-made coffee, they also have takeaway options which means you can grab something for the road.
Where: 2188 Broke Rd, Pokolbin
Open: Mon-Sun | 8am-2pm

Huntlee Tavern Café

Open for breakfast in the café seven days a week, Huntlee Tavern Café has a good range of brekkie options from the Buttermilk Pancakes or Toasted Waffles to the Eggs Benny and classic Double Stack Egg & Bacon Roll.
Where: 3 Empire St, North Rothbury
When: Mon-Sun | 7am-late

Kawul Restaurant 

Kawul Restaurant is the resident restaurant at Calais Estate, Pokolbin. Their focus is on harnessing the flavours of the Australian bush, and on creating dishes that complement the land and the region. Bush spices, and local, native and organic produce is used wherever possible for a truly authentic, unique breakfast experience! We recommend The Portobello Mushrooms with labne, salsa verde, and two poached eggs served on fresh sourdough.
Where: 151 Palmers Ln, Rothbury
Open: Fri-Mon | 9am-11.30am

Muse Kitchen Lorn

The quaint and picturesque town of Lorn won the gastronomy lotto with the arrival of one of the Hunter Valley’s most loved restaurants, Muse Kitchen, having opened up its beautiful white French doors back in September 2020. Drop by the cosy dining venue for a rustic European brunch experience. The all-day dining menu has you covered, with classics like the Eggs Benedict, and unique dishes like the Fraser Isle Spanner Crab Omelette.
Where: 1/27 Belmore Rd, Lorn
When: Thurs-Sun | 8am-4pm

Myrtle House

The beautiful old stone stairs of Myrtle House invite you to ascend up from the street into this quaint old cottage café. Ideally situated in the historic country town of Wollombi, Myrtle House is a must-visit if you’re staying in the area. In keeping with the style of these older homes, there are a variety of options for seating; from the wrap-around verandah, back and front garden decks, or inside. Once you get past the charm of this venue, the concise breakfast menu delivers some of the classic favourites we know and love including the Avo Smash, Bacon & Egg Roll, and Muesli Cup.
Where: 2877 Wollombi Rd, Wollombi
When: Mon-Fri | 7am-2pm
Sat-Sun | 8am-3pm

Restaurant Cuvée

Located just off of Wine Country Drive, Restaurant Cuvée is part of Peterson House, a winery known for its impressive range of sparkling wines … and a breakfast list for the Hunter Valley wouldn’t be complete without mentioning their famous Bubbly Breakfast!
Kickstart your day with the Bubbly Breakfast, which includes a glass of Pink Blush, Cuvee, or Prosecco served alongside fresh avocado, potato, mushrooms, goat’s cheese, sautéed tomato & onion, spinach, candied beetroot, poached eggs and toasted sourdough. If you’re after something a little different, the menu is filled with other gems like the Waffles (with four separate toppings to choose from), Corn Fritters, or the Salmon Pastrami Bagel.
Where: Broke Rd, Pokolbin
Open: Mon-Sun | 8.30am-10.30am

The Deck Café

Located at Gartelmann Wines in Lovedale, The Deck Café overlooks the water of the dam on their property. The venue offers a substantial menu that includes most favourites like the French Toast or the Big Breakfast.
Where: 701 Lovedale Rd, Rothbury
When: Mon-Fri | 8.30am-2.30pm
Sat-Sun | 8am-2.30pm

The Kiosk

If you’re staying closer to Cessnock or want to stop somewhere on the way home, then this little tennis club-come-kiosk is a great stop for a light breakfast. Hosted in the Tennis Club Hall and taking inspiration from the old tennis club era, The Kiosk at Cessnock serves up some homemade treats and food that will warm your soul.
Where: 49A Aberdare Rd, Aberdare
When: Tue-Sat | 8am-3pm
Sun | 9am-2pm

The Mill Restaurant

This rustic foodie haven sits on the grounds of one of Pokolbin’s most delightful accommodation offerings, Estate Tuscany. The Mill is known for its good wine, good food, and good times, with the Breakfast Room open 7 days a week for Estate Tuscany guests, as well as others looking for a great brekkie meal before a day of exploring in the Hunter Valley. The breakfast menu is kept simple with three individualised meal options alongside a short and sweet à la carte offering. Devour The Continental Breakfast, enjoy the typical Eggs Benedict or a serving of Buttermilk Pancakes.
Where: 28 Mistletoe Ln, Pokolbin
When: Mon-Sun | 8am-10am

Have we missed somewhere? Email us!