NearMeBest cafes in North Willoughby
Last updatedTop of this list, SML Cafe is known for plated brunch and a good coffee. Ray's Place on High Street suits a relaxed weekend meal with the kids, and Dose Espresso suits a quiet morning coffee from 6am. All three sit within a five-minute walk of Cambridge Park or Carlson Park.
Quick picks in North Willoughby
- Best for plated brunch: SML Cafe, for the Wog Boy Eggs and the benedicts.
- Best for a family weekend: Ray's Place, with outside tables on High Street.
- Best for a quiet morning coffee: Dose Espresso, with its cold brew and calm room.
Best cafes in North Willoughby, ranked
#1SML Cafe for inventive plated brunch
$$🐕 Dogs outsideOutdoor seating🌳 Cambridge Park, 5 min walkSML Cafe is the place to start. Order the Wog Boy Eggs, with herb labneh and chilli oil on sourdough, or the lamb benedict, which comes without English muffins. Regulars say the coffee is excellent and reliable, and juices and iced drinks are on the menu too. Early risers are catered for from 6am, and the park is five minutes off.
#2Ray's Place for a relaxed weekend meal with the kids
$$🐕 Dogs outsideOutdoor seating🌳 Cambridge Park, 3 min walkRay's Place on High Street is the cafe for an easy weekend breakfast with children. The Anthony, with poached eggs, falafel, hummus, pita, olives and pickles, is the dish reviewers name most. The kids' menu and the falafel breakfast dish suit a family table, and the pastry cabinet holds almond croissants and muffins. The nearby park is Cambridge Park, reached in about three minutes.
#3Dose Espresso for a quiet morning coffee
$$🐕 Dogs outsideOutdoor seating🌳 Carlson Park, 3 min walkDose Espresso is tucked behind the main building on High Street, with indoor seats and a terrace. The first cups go out at 6am every day. Coffee drinkers call the cup smooth and balanced, and the cold brew is also mentioned. Try the poached eggs with hollandaise or the poached chicken toasted sandwich. Carlson Park lies three minutes on foot away, a short stroll after the meal.
Compare best cafes in North Willoughby
The table below sets the cafes side by side on price, brunch, outdoor seating, dog access, weekend trade and the nearest park.
| Cafe | Price | Brunch | Outdoor | Dogs | Weekends | Nearest park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SML Cafe | $$ | ✓ | ✓ | Outside | ✓ | Cambridge Park, 5 min |
| Ray's Place | $$ | ✓ | ✓ | Outside | ✓ | Cambridge Park, 3 min |
| Dose Espresso | $$ | ✓ | ✓ | Outside | ✓ | Carlson Park, 3 min |
How we picked best cafes in North Willoughby
Each cafe's standing was worked out from its reviews, giving more weight to places with more of them. We then read what each one does well for an overall visit: the food, the coffee and the hours. Each cafe serves breakfast and lunch, has outside seating and opens on weekends, so the order comes down to the food and the coffee.
Best cafes in North Willoughby: FAQ
Which North Willoughby cafe opens earliest?
SML Cafe and Dose Espresso both open at 6am, seven days a week. Ray's Place starts an hour later, at 7am.
Where can I get a takeaway coffee in North Willoughby?
Ray's Place is a good choice, since its coffee and food stay consistent year after year, and its breakfast burger works for takeaway.
Which North Willoughby cafe has a kids' menu?
Ray's Place has a kids' menu, along with outdoor tables on High Street for families.