Our guide to the tastiest toasties in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
The humble toastie has seen many iterations since Australia’s obsession with cafe dining exploded over the last decade. Some variations are definitely not-so-humble, but there’s a lot of flavour to be found in more experimental toasties, just as there is in the classic ham and cheese done well.
Want to know where to get your hands on the tastiest toasties Newcastle has to offer? Read on for our guide to Newcastle’s best toasties.
Arlo's Coffee
Arlo's Coffee is a local favourite in Cooks Hill (at Lowlands Bowling Club), fuelling folks up with its excellent coffee, sweet treats, and of course, toasties. Expect loaded, fresh-off-the-grill toasties when you stop by, with toastie specials changing up pretty frequently. Make sure you grab a pastry to follow up with too!
Where: 98A Dawson St, Cooks Hill
Arno Deli
Technically these guys sell paninis, but they’re so god damn delicious they absolutely needed to make it onto this list.
Where: 179/181 King St, Newcastle
Autumn Rooms
Beloved Newcastle cafe Autumn Rooms slings out some killer toasties at both of its locations. At Darby Street, devour a classic reuben toastie, and at Stockton, try something different with the cheeseburger toastie, complete with mustard and pickles.
Where: 127 Darby St, Cooks Hill | 42 Mitchell St, Stockton
Baked Uprising
When you make bread as good as Baked Uprising does, you simply have to make it into a range of moreish toasties. Baked Uprising’s take on the classic ham and cheese, with local ham, grain mustard, and aged gouda, is a must-try.
Where: 21-25 Downie St, Maryville
Biggs Coffee
Biggs Coffee specialises in, well, coffee, but also delicious grab n' go food. Its cracking toasties are a hot commodity – there's a comprehensive selection on offer (all loaded with ingredients), plus a Toastie of the Month special that will keep you coming back for more.
Where: 1A Beaumont St, Hamilton | Newcastle Interchange, Wickham
The Bondwood Cafe
The Bondwood Cafe is a popular Adamstown spot, ideally located on Glebe Road, with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy a coffee and toastie in the sunshine. Expect a few toasties on offer at any one time, with a vegan option available too, so no one has to miss out on the toastie goodness!
Where: 504 Glebe Rd, Adamstown
Common Circus
Common Circus unites homewares with good food and coffee, all in the one space. The roast veggie toastie is where it’s at.
Where: 148 Denison St, Hamilton | 36 Brooks Pde, Belmont
Chiefly West
Technically a sandwich joint, Chiefly West just couldn’t not be included when it comes to talking about anything bread related. Their loaded sandwich menu (and weekly special) often have people queuing up to order.
Where: 6 Stewart Ave, Newcastle West
CRUMB
A special mention to Lambton’s pastry legends, CRUMB, who aren’t selling toasties so to speak, but their loaded croissant sandwiches are worth including. Choose from the mortadella or salami.
Where: 113 Elder St, Lambton
Frothers Espresso
A toastie at Frothers Espresso is never a bad idea. The grilled sandwich is Frothers' forte, and you can expect a solid selection on the menu at any given time. Order a smoked ham toastie, grab a coffee, and soak up the good vibes in this small but mighty coffee shop.
Where: 140 Glebe Rd, Merewether
Good Brother Espresso Shop
Good Brother Espresso Shop knows its way around an excellent toastie. Whether it’s the pulled pork, grilled prosciutto and egg breakfast wrap, or their green veg toastie – they all go down a treat.
Where: 40 King St, Newcastle
Hubro
This local fave on Darby Street is much-loved for its coffee, toasties, and friendly atmosphere. Get your hands on the usual – the most popular toastie and for good reason! Featuring ham off the vone, tasty cheese, caramelised onion, and aioli.
Where: 1A/295 Darby St, Cooks Hill
Josie Coffee
Located in Gateshead and Mayfield, Josie Coffee is all about what the name suggests – coffee. But this doesn’t mean that food has been forgotten. There’s plenty of sweet treats and of course, toasties. Try the Vegilante, with roast eggplant, pesto, and cheese.
Where: 5 Metro Ct, Gateshead | 2/16 Hanbury St, Mayfield
Local Customs
Run by the same brothers who run The Bondwood Cafe, Local Customs, directly opposite, is a welcome new addition to Newcastle's cafe scene. The food on offer is always quality, and the toastie specials are truly gourmet.
Where: 513 Glebe Rd, Adamstown
New Slang Coffee Brewers
New Slang Coffee Brewers is one of the coolest coffee shops in the Newcastle CBD. There's a range of on-the-go food available, including some excellent toasties – the perfect pairing for your morning coffee.
Where: 480 Hunter St, Newcastle
Outdo Espresso
The toasties at Outdo Espresso are top-tier – we can't be the only ones drooling after watching all those videos of golden, cheesy toasties on their Instagram, right?
Where: 464 King St, Newcastle West
Paper Run Espresso
Paper Run Espresso is a Merewether go-to for great coffee and food, all served with a smile. With seven toasties on the menu, you're spoilt for choice. Go for the prosciutto and camembert toastie if you're feeling fancy!
Where: 59 Ridge St, Merewether
The Pavement Society
The Pavement Society is a bit of a local secret in Lake Macquarie, but we reckon more people should know about its stand-out coffee and creative toastie menu that changes up regularly. The cafe’s specials get snapped up quickly, so don't miss out.
Where: 38 Main Rd, Boolaroo
Perry the Feeder
Toasties are the name of the game at Perry the Feeder. Grab a seat outside (furry friends welcome) and demolish a toastie from the menu full of the usual suspects plus plenty of loaded options (think bacon & egg or sloppy Joe meatballs).
Where: 53 Maitland Rd, Mayfield East
The Pocket Mayfield
The Pocket Mayfield boasts a solid toastie menu, so there’s plenty of choice when the cravings hit. Think creations like the chicken & kimchi toastie or the roasted broccoli toastie.
Where: 223 Maitland Rd, Mayfield
Praise Joe
Praise Joe has got you covered with their range of toastie offerings across both locations (Tighes Hill and Kotara).
Where: 8/20 Elizabeth St, Tighes Hill | Westfield Kotara, Northcott Dr, Kotara
Press Book House
What better way to spend an afternoon than reading a book, sipping a coffee, and tucking into a toastie? If you’re feeling meaty, grab the Voltaire, with ham off the bone, pickles, cheese, mustard, mayo, and thinly sliced pickles.
Where: 462 Hunter St, Newcastle
Skip's Deli
Skip's Deli burst onto the scene in late 2023 and have been delighting locals with their scrumptious sandwiches ever since. While the fresh sandwiches are always delicious, if the toastie cravings hit, try its comprehensive selection.
Where: 9/31 Griffiths Rd, Lambton
Welsh Blacks
This Cooks Hill gem is known locally for its excellent coffee, sweet treats, and tasty toasties. Drop by Welsh Blacks to check out the latest toasties on the blackboard.
Where: 84 Bull St, Cooks Hill
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