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 the best breakfasts in the Hunter Valley, from Maitland and Morpeth right through to Pokolbin and Lovedale.

Acacia Dining

Acacia Dining took up residence in Maitland's stunning Riverlink Building in late 2023, and it's already gaining a reputation for serving up delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Headed by Reece Hignell and Tori Tokpah, expect dishes like a deep dish hotcake with Biscoff mascarpone, crispy sweetcorn fritters, and coconut panna cotta. 
Where: 396 High St, Maitland

Arthur's Pantry

Launched in early 2023 by the same team behind Mr O, Arthur's Pantry offers an extensive breakfast menu full of twists on cafe classics. There's French toast with Swiss meringue and lemon curd, burrata Caprese tartine, and chilli scrambled eggs.
Where: 1E Cooper St, Cessnock

Cafe Enzo 

Cafe 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. We love the breakfast classics, but we can't go past the two specialty breakfast boards.
Where: Broke Rd & Ekerts Rd, Pokolbin

Common Grounds

Serving up some delicious coffee with help from Glee Coffee Roasters, Common Grounds is home to a modern renovated interior with a cosy back porch. It's the perfect spot to start an exploration of quaint Morpeth, as you devour your morning cup of coffee and tuck into a delicious breakfast.
Where: 4/ 142 Swan St, Morpeth

Maitland Street Collective

Located in the old Commercial Hotel in Branxton, Maitland Street Collective is a wholesome meeting place for the local community cafe that does a quality breakfast. Owner and cook Heather uses as much local produce as possible, including meat from Hungerford Meat Co just next door.
Where: 45 Maitland St, Branxton

Meltdown

With a food menu full of unique takes on cafe favourites and locally-roasted Floozy coffee, Meltdown has quickly become a favourite in the growing community of Huntlee. The menu changes up frequently, so you'll always get to try something new and delicious when you stop in at Meltdown.
Where: 5 Winepress Rd, Branxton

Mr O Wholefoods

Mr O Wholefoods boasts a menu full of health-conscious breakfast options, with plenty of dishes able to be made vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and dairy free. Make sure you grab a smoothie to go with your breakfast feed!
Where: 41 Vincent St, Cessnock

Niche on High

The menu at Niche on High may be on the smaller side, but we can't go past this cute cafe for quality coffee, relaxed breakfast food, and tasty homemade cakes. Expect grab and go-style food that doesn't compromise on taste, like a ploughman's toastie and a loaded bacon and egg brekkie wrap.
Where: 214 High St, Maitland

Restaurant Cuvée

Restaurant Cuvée is part of Peterson House, a winery known for its impressive range of sparkling wines, so it's breakfast menu naturally includes a Bubbly Breakfast. Think a glass of Peterson's 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.
Where: Broke Rd, Pokolbin

Restaurant Kawul

Restaurant Kawul is the resident restaurant at Calais Estate in Pokolbin, and it has a focus is on harnessing the flavours of the Australian bush. Bush spices and local, native, and organic produce is used wherever possible for a truly authentic, unique breakfast experience.
Where: 151 Palmers Ln, Rothbury

Sherwood Coffee

Newcastle favourite Sherwood Coffee expanded into the greater Hunter region in 2023 with the opening of its Gillieston Heights cafe, keeping up the good food and even better coffee. Expect all-day breakfast with faves like avocado on toast, acai bowls, and a $6.50 bacon and egg roll.
Where: 1/353 Cessnock Rd, Gillieston Heights

The Deck Café

Located at Gartelmann Wines in Lovedale, The Deck Café takes advantage of its picturesque position. Sit and admire the scenery while you enjoy your breakfast. Had a bit too much fun wine tasting? The Hangover Roll should be your choice, made with fried eggs, bacon, cheddar, hash brown, haloumi, avocado, mushroom, baby, spinach and smoky BBQ sauce.
Where: 701 Lovedale Rd, Rothbury

The Icky Sticky Patisserie

While you might not typically eat pastries for breakfast, you might consider changing your mind at The Icky Sticky Patisserie in Lorn. All of its pastries and doughs are made in house with real butter, and they're divine.
Where: 2/27 Belmore Rd, Lorn

Kiosk at The Tennis Club

Located 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

The Rigby

The Rigby is a cafe, restaurant, and bar, with a prime location on Maitland's High Street. With vintage-style interiors and a chilled out atmosphere, it's a lovely spot to eat smashed avo or blueberry and white chocolate waffles.
Where: 307 High St, Maitland

The Sty Cafe

The Sty Cafe is tucked into Piggs Peake Winery, dishing up creative, scrumptious jaffles and Drop Bear Coffee. Take a seat in the sunny courtyard and savour those golden, crispy, cheesy sandwiches for breakfast, brunch, or lunch.
Where: 697 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin

The Whistler

You might know The Whistler as a pub, but did you know the High Street staple also does breakfast? There's plenty of classics available, and you won't go hungry with dishes like The Whistler Big Breakfast and the Breakfast Stack.
Where: 436 High St, Maitland

Trading Post Laguna

Trading Post Laguna offers plenty of rustic charm, the atmosphere is always great, and the food is excellent. The flavours are interesting and the food super fresh – try the bacon and egg sandwich with special sauce and pickles, and the brekkie wrap with grilled pita bread, chilli scrambled egg, and fried onion.
Where: 3718 Great North Rd, Laguna

Vixen

Vixen is the work of Lindsay and Tim Duke, owners of Duke's Restaurant in Maitland. Vixen is a laidback neighbourhood cafe in Lorn, offering up a breakfast menu with all the classics, quality coffee, and toasties for when you're on the go. 
Where: 1/27 Belmore Rd, Lorn

Worn Out Wares

Worn Out Wares has been a staple of the Singleton community for many years, and for good reason. The food is consistently delicious and nourishing – think dishes like summer bruschetta, chai granola tart, and a brekkie omelette.
Where: 41-43 George St, Singleton