NearMeBest cafes in St Ives
Last updatedGrace's Bakehouse leads this list of St Ives cafes, for its crispy pork banh mi and pies. The other picks cover the rest of the suburb: a family lunch in St Ives Village, a big breakfast on Stanley Street, and a roomy dining room on Mona Vale Road for mixed diets. Their strengths differ, so choose by what you need.
Quick picks in St Ives
- Best for a quick banh mi or pie: Grace's Bakehouse, with its early opening and takeaway counter.
- Best for a family lunch: The Living Room Café, for its long menu and kids' menu.
- Best for a big breakfast plate: Stanley St Cafe, for its breakfast stack and large portions.
- Best for mixed dietary needs: JJ's Eatery, which covers a range of diets on one menu.
Best cafes in St Ives, ranked
#1Grace's Bakehouse for a quick banh mi or pie
$🌳 Hassall Park, 2 min walkGrace's Bakehouse is a small bakery on Mona Vale Road, open from 6am on weekdays and Saturdays. Order the crispy pork banh mi, which is the roll reviewers name most, or pick a pie from the hot cabinet. Recent visitors find the chillies strong, so ask before you add them. Hassall Park is two minutes on foot from the bakery.
Best for: Banh mi, pies and early takeaway
#2The Living Room Café for a family lunch
$$🐕 Dogs outsideOutdoor seating🌳 Putarri Avenue Reserve, 5 min walkThe Living Room Café sits inside St Ives Village and serves a long menu from breakfast through to pub-style mains. Customers name the Living Room Burger and the chicken boscaiola. It has the latest closing time on this page, 8pm. The kids' menu is a plus for parents, and the outdoor tables take dogs.
Best for: Family lunches and big group catch-ups
#3Stanley St Cafe for a big breakfast plate
$$Outdoor seating🌳 Putarri Avenue Reserve, 6 min walkStanley St Cafe is a family-run cafe in a shopping unit on Stanley St, and it closes at 3pm every day. Order the breakfast stack or the lamb roll, and ask for a cappuccino, which arrives in a ceramic cup with chocolate dusting. It is busy on Sunday mornings, so arrive early. Putarri Avenue Reserve sits six minutes off on foot.
Best for: Large breakfasts and coffee with pastries
#4JJ's Eatery for mixed dietary needs
$$🌳 Putarri Avenue Reserve, 5 min walkJJ's Eatery has light, roomy seating on Mona Vale Road and opens from 8am to 4pm every day. Check the menu for diets, since it covers a range of dietary needs. Milkshakes and fresh juice sit on the drinks list, and the kids' menu suits family tables. A stroll afterwards can take in Putarri Avenue Reserve, a short walk off.
Best for: Dietary needs and relaxed family meals
Compare best cafes in St Ives
The table below compares price, brunch, outdoor seating, dogs and weekend opening for each St Ives cafe.
| Cafe | Price | Brunch | Outdoor | Dogs | Weekends | Nearest park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grace's Bakehouse | $ | ✓ | – | – | ✓ | Hassall Park, 2 min |
| The Living Room Café | $$ | ✓ | ✓ | Outside | ✓ | Putarri Avenue Reserve, 5 min |
| Stanley St Cafe | $$ | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | Putarri Avenue Reserve, 6 min |
| JJ's Eatery | $$ | ✓ | ✗ | – | ✓ | Putarri Avenue Reserve, 5 min |
How we picked best cafes in St Ives
Cafes are ranked on their overall score, with more weight given to places that have many votes. Then this page's facts count: what each cafe is known for on the menu, whether it serves brunch, outdoor seating, dogs and weekend opening. Each pick's food notes were read for what the cafe does best, and the list follows that order.
Best cafes in St Ives: FAQ
Which St Ives cafe is best for a quick lunch to take away?
Grace's Bakehouse on Mona Vale Road is the quickest option, with a counter for pies and rolls to go. Its banh mi is the dish most often mentioned.
Where can I get a banh mi in St Ives?
Grace's Bakehouse on Mona Vale Road is the place to try for a banh mi, and its counter is quick enough for a lunch to go.
Which St Ives cafes are dog-friendly?
Dogs are listed as welcome outside at The Living Room Café, and no other cafe here lists them.
Is parking easy near St Ives cafes?
Every St Ives cafe on this list lists parking, so driving in is the simplest way to get there.