Lake Macquarie has become quite the destination when it comes to water sports, nature-based days out, and foodie excursions, but in recent years, the plant-based vegan lifestyle has been reflected throughout venues across the area.

There’s a hidden gem in Blacksmiths which is offering exactly that and more, meet The Yoga Place Café. Brought to you by born and bred local, Alyx-Jane, The Yoga Place Café is the go-to wholesome venue boasting a delicious wholefood plant-based menu in a sweet garden setting.

Having grown up in Caves Beach, and now residing in Swansea, Alyx-Jane is a true local and is often found riding to and from the Blacksmiths venue, stopping to chat to locals along the way. Taking over the local venue in late 2019, Alyx-Jane had to not only juggle figuring out how to run a business, but how to survive a global pandemic in a very short turnaround.

“On top of learning how to run a small business, the pandemic really did add another layer of difficulty to an already very new experience for me, but It certainly pushed me and our team to be versatile and adapt to what felt like an ever-changing situation,” Alyx-Jane shared.

Continuing the business' ethos of being a café for the community with a wholefood plant-based diet, Alyx-Jane pulled the cafe through the pandemic by continuing takeaway service and being that go-to spot for locals to drop into for their daily outings. What got her through it? The knowledge that she wanted to continue bringing the good vibes, good food, and good coffee to the people of Blacksmiths.

“Cafe life is starting to feel a lot more settled these days which is largely due to our incredible team who we can't wait to continue growing with.”

The entire philosophy of The Yoga Place Café is about sharing kindness and sustainability with the surrounding community through their plant-based offering.

“We are not just a space for vegans, we are for anyone looking to enjoy good food that is nourishing for yourself and our environment.”

The menu itself has a seasonal approach, with some signature favourites like the Smashed Avocado and Berry Bliss Pancakes which will be a staple. Think lots of colourful meals, filled with nutritional goodness and flavours that will keep even the non-vegans fulfilled.

“In winter we definitely have more soups and curries, and throughout summer we have more of those nourish and smoothie bowls.”

Need your caffeine fix? The team has got you sorted with the usual selection of coffees with beans from Mayfield-based roaster, Glitch, but with one unique point of difference; zero dairy options!

“We made the decision to ditch dairy just over a year ago now to be true to our ethos of caring for the environment and animals. We are very happy to have the support of not only the vegan community but also our local customers. It has been wonderful  to have seen the growth of the cafe  since this decision was made.”

Not just any old café, the venue has recently kicked off its dinners, and they’ve received nothing but support with sold-out dinners for the past three events. Starting back on the 22nd of April 2022, with their Italian menu, followed fortnightly by Japanese, Indian, and Thai cuisine focussed evenings. Alongside their delicious foodie offering, they'll be serving organic local wines by Tamburlaine and Organic Kombucha cocktails!

Book your spot and sit under the stars whilst you bask in the sounds from a local musician before tucking into a hearty, delicious, and plant-based meal. Keen to book in for the next event? Make sure to follow along on The Yoga Place Café journey on Instagram here.

The local space also includes a small selection of local goodies to purchase including a bunch of local brands such as The Tea Collective and Elation The Label to name a few!

“We love supporting small, local, eco-conscious businesses just like us, our sauerkraut from The Whole Food Family Cardiff and kombucha from Pure Life Organics Belmont to name a few.  When it comes to local business I think it is important to support each other and if one of us is doing well, we are all doing well.”

Located in the cosy suburb of Blacksmiths, this spot is truly a hidden gem that is dying to be discovered by both locals and visitors alike. With The Yoga Place just next door and the lake and beach just a short stroll away, there’s every reason to make a day of it and drop into this café one weekend!

“It brings me so much joy to see our plant-based café being so welcomed and supported by our community.”