Over in the sleepy Lake Macquarie suburb of Cooranbong, sits a community food and drink offering that has become a bit of a secret gem for locals. We’ve come along to let Greater Newcastle know about it because it’s one spot that is well worth the drive.

Introducing Bistro Eden.

Brought to you by the hospitality-driven couple, Matt & Ailish, Bistro Eden has quite the inception story. Moving their business, Eden Catering & Events, which was launched in 2012, from their original space in Woy Woy to the kitchen here onsite in Cooranbong.

“We were looking around Lake Macquarie and found this property. We originally just wanted the space purely for the kitchen for our catering and events company. We were using the rest of the property as office space,” Ailish said.

In March 2020, when COVID had arrived on our shores, the couple’s events and catering offering was shut down and boredom quickly set in.

“That time gave us the opportunity to explore something else, which is where the concept from Bistro Eden came from. At the start, we were still able to offer takeaway, so we launched a takeaway bakery and café offering and it was just so nice.”

With the leafy oasis of a property wearing many different hats over the years, it wasn’t until Bistro Eden launched that the community finally found something they could embrace.

“The feedback from the community was overwhelming. It was a space that they needed and one that all members of the community could utilise.”

With a longstanding background in the hospitality industry, from running their own restaurant in Sydney in their 20s to launching the events and catering business, Matt & Ailish are excited to have Bistro Eden to focus on their food, drink, and service.  

The relaxed café offering is surrounded by a flourishing garden, perfect for a slow start to your morning, somewhere to let the kids run free, or an extended friend or family catch-up.

“We wanted whatever we did here to be kid friendly. We’ve got big open spaces, colouring in for the kids, and stuff that I would want as a mother visiting somewhere with your children.”

With Matt working in the kitchen, the venue’s food has a strong vegetarian focus with nods to Modern European cuisine alongside their own twist on Australian café favourites.

“We’ve got a Fruit Toast on the menu, but it’s smothered in mascarpone and topped with fresh figs, honey, and honeycomb. I think you can see that Modern European flavour comes through with those dishes.

“Then we’ve kept it casual in other areas like our Brisket Burger and our Chicken Schnitzel. We want people to come and realise they can come back. It’s approachable with Modern European influences.”

The venue’s coffee offering is thanks to Ukuzala a unique local not-for-profit charity that aims to teach life skills to teenagers. The rest of the drinks menu offers a selection of cold press juices, smoothies, kombucha, milkshakes, and other iced beverages.

The venue is currently only opening for breakfast and lunch Tuesday through to Saturday, with potential plans to expand into the occasional night event.

“We’ve had a few locals’ nights where we do our table share experience that what we do for our catering business. They’ve been received so well so it would be cool to do a bit more of that.”

There is so much happening out on that side of the lake and the local community cannot stop raving about the offering available here at Bistro Eden. Plan to head out to Cooranbong and experience the venue’s truly unique green, welcoming, and tasty offering.