A Riverina Brunch Trail
The smell of fresh coffee. The hum of conversation. The clink of cutlery on plates. If you’re visiting the Riverina, you might not expect a small shire to offer such a strong café scene — but Narrandera is full of surprises. Stumble down main streets or wander a little further afield, from sun-filled boutique cafes to retro-caravan spots serving up street-food inspired bites, there’s something for every craving and every kind of coffee lover.
Of course, a brunch trail isn’t something you knock over in a single day — brunch is only one meal, after all. This is a trail best spread over a few mornings, whether you’re visiting the shire for a long weekend or working your way through it as a local. A slow start, a good plate of food, time for a second coffee, and the rest of the day unfolds from there. River walks, a wander through town, maybe even spotting a koala or two.
Summer holidays in Narrandera aren’t complete without a stop at The Yard, a retro-caravan café with a Turkish-twist. Serving street-food-inspired eats, you’ll find everything from kebabs, gözleme, and souvlaki, to authentic Turkish coffee.
At The Yard, Oz brews each cup in a traditional cezve (pronounced jaz-vah) over a stove. It’s slow, intentional, and deeply personal — a ritual as much as a recipe.
“When I was five,” Oz recalls, “my grandfather made me promise that every now and then, I’d pour a Turkish coffee on his grave.” It’s a story that speaks to just how much meaning is packed into each cup. Served alongside a piece of Turkish delight, it’s more than coffee — it’s connection, history, and heart.
Bathed in natural light and filled with treasures, Halls Cuisine and Collectables is part café, part vintage and collectables shopping, making browsing almost as delightful as the food itself.
Open Tuesday through Friday, the menu offers generous, beautifully prepared meals, perfect for brunch or lunch with fresh, seasonal ingredients. The combination of unique finds, beautiful decor, and satisfying food creates a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that encourages visitors to linger, browse, and savour every bite.
Just a short drive out to Barellan, a quiet Riverina wheat town, you’ll find the Golden Grain Café. Welcoming, unpretentious, and serving up quality country goodness seven days a week. It’s the kind of place that locals swear by and visitors quickly fall in love with.
The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, the service genuine, and the coffee always spot-on. It’s an easy choice for anyone passing through. The perfect stop for a long weekend drive, a casual catch-up with friends, or a solo coffee break with a newspaper in hand.
Like the town itself, the Golden Grain Café has a rhythm that’s unhurried and grounded — proof that sometimes the simplest things, done well, are the ones that stay with you.
A family-operated café full of warmth, 26 on Bolton feels like stepping into the home of a friend. It’s the kind of café where you’re greeted with a smile and the coffee arrives just how you like.
This cafe is all about homemade goodness, from hearty breakfasts to comforting lunches. The sausage rolls are nothing short of legendary: flaky pastry, perfectly seasoned filling, and that unmistakeable homemade touch. Everything has that same heart — thoughtful, delicious, and satisfying.
Walls adorned with local artwork and an attached plant store add to the sense of discovery, giving visitors a chance to browse, shop, and soak up the atmosphere.
Open Monday to Saturday, The Red Door Café is known for impeccable food and coffee that never misses the mark. The secret? Beans from Fish River Roasters in Bathurst.
The blend is bold and full-bodied, designed to shine in milk-based espresso coffees, with notes of dark chocolate, malt, and treacle, balanced by subtle berry tones. It’s the kind of coffee that lingers — rich, smooth, and perfectly suited to the relaxed pace of a Narrandera morning.
Whether paired with an eggs benny, or sipped solo while browsing the attached boutique, The Red Door’s coffee is proof that craftsmanship and care make all the difference.
Along the Way: Local Favourites Worth a Stop
No foodie experience is complete without a few places locals will casually suggest with a “have you tried…”
The Shed Life is quietly doing something special: roasting their own coffee right here in town. If coffee quality matters to you (and, let’s be honest, it should), this is one to seek out. Read all about their journey from explosives to espresso here.
Cafe on Adams Street is all about homemade treats and nostalgic goodness. After school, kids wander in for lollies, drawn to shelves lined with sugary goodness. Fridays are a highlight thanks to their much-loved “Fry-day” specials, and if you happen to time it just right, you might even find a delicious Sunday roast on offer.
The Grongy Store blends cafe, general store, and post office into one. There’s even a caravan dump point across the road, making it a handy (and charming) stop for travellers passing through.
The Narrandera Bakery is a local icon, known for their famous beastings, crackin’ meat pies, and world-class eclairs. Seriously, the pistachio eclair is life changing. Read more about them, including their exciting new expansion here.
A cafe a day keeps the morning grumblies away. From boutique brunch spots to retro summer havens, Narrandera Shire’s café scene proves that good coffee and great food know no boundaries. These are just a few of the cafés you’ll find across the shire — there are plenty more waiting to be discovered, each one is a little world of its own, and all of them are worth a visit. Whether you’re a local, a visitor passing through, or planning a weekend in the Riverina, following the scent of fresh coffee is the best way to explore the region. So, grab a cup, take a seat, and see why cafés here are more than just a pit stop.