Maitland’s best coffee is so much more than a mojo boosting hot beverage…it’s a lifestyle!
Have a quick chat with any of these local legends, when you pop in for a coffee, and see some awesome back stories unfold.
At Maitland’s Cabin Collective, a smoky blend is wrapped up with body art, rockabilly and blues.
“The first words out of every muso’s mouth when they rock up to the recording studio is ‘where can I get a good coffee,’ so we brought in house,” says the creator of this quirky collective where coffee collides with tattoo culture and live music vibes. Dave Bean’s soft spot for ink, his 25 years touring on double bass and vocals, and time on TV as a wilderness survival guru, have found their home in this hidden away corner of Maitland. His outback technique of grinding beans with a whittled stick and roasting over a campfire, gave rise to the smoky, Primitive Roast this cosmopolitan cabin is renowned for. “It’s so in demand I‘ve ramped up my micro batches, made entirely by hand over an open firepit.” Rooms behind the café house six tattoo artists, an upstairs studio live streams touring talent and you can catch a live gig downstairs, once a month.

Grab a good read and groceries along with your coffee, at Readers Café and Larder
Follow your nose to this comfort food cafe alongside East Maitland Library. Surrounded by lush parkland, with a sunny verandah, Readers Cafe and Larder is filled with birdsong, fresh air and the smell of their award winning Gabriel coffee. The café offers modern Australian meals and a wonderful array of fresh cakes and slices.
It’s the perfect retreat for the kids with a fully covered playground ready for the children to explore. They also offer local produce each and every day supporting local farmers along with a variety of homemade jams and honeys.
Bread & Water at Maitland Gaol is 100% gluten free, with lashings of caramel and cream!
Best to book ahead at this family favourite, where everything on the menu is guaranteed to be gluten free!
Yes, even those wickedly decadent eclairs that walk out the door with almost every coffee order. Vanessa Wrobel’s frustration with coffee outings being “just too risky or a let down in the flavour stakes,” led to this sweet collaboration with her pastry chef husband. “I want a rich caramel slice or big fat cream bun with my coffee, so we came up with gluten free versions that are every bit as gooey and delicious.” Espresso affogato is a house favourite!

New to The Levee, Van Gool Patisserie are all about giving back.
Head to this unassuming little shop at The Levee for a delectable pastry and coffee that is seriously good, in every respect!
For the serious coffee drinker, a must visit is The Black Espresso. This little coffee shop in the wall has everything to satisfy those strong desires.
There’s always something cooking at The Cunning Culinarian
Truly great coffee and cherished family recipes are the cornerstone of Alina Mackee’s food centric heritage. At her opulent High Street oasis, you’re welcome to linger over your latte, made on a dark, malty roast, play a board game of noughts and crosses, devour a decadent slice of honest, made from scratch cake and enjoy the other worldly aromas emanating from the kitchen.