The Best Cafes in Henley Beach with Coffee & Grub That’ll Make You Forget the Sand in Your Shoes
As writers, we’re always prowling for our next zen zone where we can write and get good grub. Fortunately, the best Henley Beach cafes, like Nauti Buoy and Sunnyside, are just around the corner.
These cafes aren’t your run-of-the-mill spots for grabbing coffee that tastes like regret or toast as flavorful as a stale cracker. We’re talking about the cream of the crop, some of the best cafes in our city.
We’ll let you be the judge, though. For now, we’ll dish out the 411 you need, from what cup to drain dry to some tips even a Henley Beach local might find handy.
The Local Canteen
Address: 32 Main St
Operating Hours: Daily – 7 am to 2:30 pm
Price: $
Website
One of the best things to happen to our team is stumbling upon The Local Canteen, or TLC as locals fondly call it.
The acronym fits like a glove; they excel in services exemplifying TLC and dishes with tomato, lettuce, and cheese. However, specialty coffee is their claim to fame, thanks to the beans from Elementary Coffee, a well-known Henley Beach roaster.
As for the menu, it’s for fast meals and takeaway brunch bites. Think bagels, cheeseburger croissants, sandwiches, NY-inspired toasties, acai bowls, and pastries—all more drool-worthy with a cup of A-tier coffee to finish things off.
Tip: Before getting your TLC fix, check what they’re currently dishing out.
Joe’s Henley Beach
Address: Henley Beach Esplanade
Contact Details: (08) 8235 0111
Operating Hours: Daily – 7 am to 3 pm
Price: $$
Website
Joe’s Henley Beach is a stress-relieving beachfront cafe with soft blue and white hues that perfectly blend with the locale.
Their menu reads like a foodie’s dream journal, with smoked salmon omelets bursting with ricotta, pickled onions, and capers as the popular pick. The coconut yogurt, berry compote, and seasonal fruits bowl is also a brekky banger.
For those who didn’t beat the alarm, there are lunch options like smoked pork benny and halloumi burger served with pesto and fresh greens. When it’s time to wet your whistle, cocktails and wines are the finest pours.
Tip: Don’t give your pupper FOMO. Joe’s Henley Beach is 100% dog-friendly!
Henley Breeze Cafe
Address: 303 Seaview Rd
Contact Details: 0452 056 040
Operating Hours: Daily – 6 am to 2:30 pm
Price: $$
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Perched beachside, Henley Breeze Cafe never falls short of serving us breakfast delights that are worth paying and driving for.
From the classic croissant to their smashed avocado with bacon on toasted rye, our go-to bites here keep mornings sunny—including Mondays.
In addition, they know how to take egg dishes up a notch, with upscaled omelets, poached eggs, and Eggs Benedict as prime examples. The feast gets even better once you add gelato milkshakes and hot/iced coffee to the mix.
Tip: Stick to serenity. Hit up the cafe during off-peak hours (around 1 to 2 pm) to avoid heavy crowds.
Headquarters on Henley
Address: 11 Henley Beach Road
Contact Details: (08) 8235 0310
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 7 am to 3 pm
- Wed to Fri – 7 am to 3 pm
- Sat to Sun – 8 am to 2 pm
Price: $$
Website
Headquarters on Henley nails it with their “quirky but not too left field” dishes.
We dropped by for a quick bite and picks like muffins, garlic and herb bread, and veal sausage rolls made us patrons.
But if you’re in for heavy hitters, the brekky bowls overflowing with sauteed potatoes, eggs, greens, meats, and a variety of sauces are the real deals.
The cherry on top is their strong beverage selection. Our team paired the grub with good-old coffee, but you may go for cocktails, wine, or beer. It’s your call.
Tip: The alfresco spots make this café a prime sunny-day hangout. Swing by when the weather isn’t gloomy for quintessential summer-esque views.
The Book and Bean Coffee Corner
Address: 330/352 Seaview Rd
Contact Details: +61 82626066
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 9 am to 5:30 pm
- Thu – 9 am to 9 pm
- Fri – 9 am to 5:30 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 5 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 5 pm
Price: $
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Sipping drinks here made us feel like the cast of “Dead Poets Society.” If you’re wondering why, it’s because a treasure trove of old books and elegant touches give the cafe a sophisticated, “cozy library” vibe.
Beyond the posh decor, their coffee is top-tier, available hot or iced. Naturally, we indulged in cappuccinos and lattes to satisfy our caffeine cravings, but if you’re rolling with kids, the smoothies are the standout choices.
For bites, you might want to do it our way and try the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich on a warmed biscuit. The cheesed-up B&B Bowl layered with scrambled, sausage gravy, eggs, and bacon is also a must-try.
Tip: Don’t just drink and dine. Grab a new read, too! The cafe has a free community book swap library, so you can bring an old book in exchange for a different one.
Cibo Espresso
Address: 251 Esplanade
Contact Details: (08) 8355 4079
Operating Hours: Daily – 6:30 am to 3 pm
Price: $
Website
Don’t call yourself a coffee connoisseur if you’ve never been to CIBO Espresso. Their Italian-style brews can light up the dreaded early hours.
The food here is equally impressive, with honored Italian flavors and recipes just like your Nonna used to make. Some local favorites are the roast beef baguette, chicken focaccia, and chicken cotoletta.
If sweets are your weakness, treats like lemon curd cheesecake, blueberry muffins, or pistachio cannolis will handle all your sweet tooth’s desires.
Tip: Grab the CIBO Espresso app for loads of perks, including loyalty points and a birthday coffee on the house!
Nauti Buoy
Address: 1 Henley Beach Rd
Contact Details: 0401 548 866
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Thu – 7 am to 2:30 pm
- Fri – 7 am to 3 pm, 5 pm to 9:30 pm
- Sat – 8 am to 3 pm, 5 pm to 9:30 pm
- Sun – 8 am to 3 pm
Price: $$
Website
Calling Nauti Buoy a perfect beachside cafe is an understatement. From the wooden elements and neutral tones to the sun-kissed interior and shoreline views, this spot had us hooked the moment we stepped in.
The menu played a big part, too. Just this past month, we wolfed down their beloved kingfish sashimi and decadent burrata. We also broke our diet for their Nauti French toast, a drool-worthy snack featuring figs, mascarpone, and house orange sorbet.
To round out the meal, we knocked back a couple of their Wild Cherry Sour and tiramisu-topped coffee—an ideal combo after a grueling 9-to-5.
Tip: Stalk their Instagram page above to stay updated on events such as bottomless brunches and quiz nights.
Sunnyside
Address: 245 Esplanade
Contact Details: 0422 333 246
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 8 am to 2 pm
- Wed to Sun – 8 am to 2 pm
Price: $$
Website
If your idea of beachside brunch involves towering stacks of pancakes, generous bowls of fruits, cocktails with a spin, and refined pours of vino, Sunnyside is the place to be.
You can’t go wrong with the said pancakes, most notably the berry-loaded version crowned with whipped cream and strawberry compote. Wash it down with hot chocolate, coffee, or cold juices to get your money’s worth.
For those craving something healthier, the Bali Bowl has your strict diet covered. It comes with roasted vegetables and is served with sunny eggs coated in miso dressing—a belly-filling feast perfect for kicking off your day or afternoon.
Tip: For those dining with a squad, we recommend going for their 1.5-hour Mimosa Madness package which will set you back $35 per person. Just remember that everyone at the table should be involved in the bubbly action!
Hermanos Cubanos
Address: 257 Seaview Rd
Contact Details: 0422 018 033
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 3 pm to 8 pm
- Fri to Sat – 11 am to 8 pm
Price: $$
Website
As sandwich aficionados, we’ll always be thankful for Hermanos Cubanos.
Among their offerings, the H.C.T. is our team-fave. Its combination of mortadella, provolone, smoked ham, cheddar, and tomato between slices of light rye bread put our basic sandos to shame.
The Cubano is also a banger, particularly if it’s your cheat day. With smoked ham, mojo pork, Swiss cheese, and dill pickles on a grilled baguette, it’s a quick bite worth breaking your diet for.
Tip: If you aren’t in the mood to travel to Henley Beach, give Hermanos Cubanos a ring. They do deliveries!
Luma Coffee Club
Address: 60-62 Mitton Ave
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 6 am to 2 pm
- Sat – 7 am to 1 pm
- Sun – 7:30 am to 1 pm
Price: $
Website
Luma Coffee Club prides itself on filling bellies without guilt, making it an optimal spot for a bite after a session at STRONG Pilates next door.
Their acai bowls cater to every taste and depend on what healthy bits your palate and body are craving. You can mix and match bananas, berries, granola, almonds, and more.
For refreshments, it’s their smoothies that pull crowds. The Strong is probably their best seller, an ice-cold mix of banana, peanut butter, blueberries, dates, and coconut milk.
Tip: Reservations aren’t on the menu here, so make sure to arrive early to snag the prime spot. The early birds get the seats!
Bottega Gelateria
Address: 249a Seaview Rd
Contact Details: (08) 7080 7625
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Thu – 1:30 pm to 10 pm
- Fri – 1:30 pm to 10:30 pm
- Sat – 12:30 pm to 10:30 pm
- Sun – 12:30 pm to 10 pm
Price: $
Website
Bottega Gelateria is the ultimate proof that handcrafted gelato by the beach will always make waves.
On our recent trip, we had a blast sampling their classic gelato lineup, starting with Dutch chocolate, hazelnut Piemonte, and Madagascan vanilla.
On the flip side, our vegan teammates went hard on their vegan variants. They cited flavors like chocolate, hazelnut, and lemon sorbet as the creme de la creme.
Tip: Catch their limited-time specials while they’re sizzling! Stay ahead of the curve by following their Instagram or giving them a buzz via the number above.
MALOBO Bakery & Terrace Bar
Address: 257 Seaview Rd
Contact Details: 0422 018 033
Operating Hours: Daily – 6:30 am to 8 pm
Price: $$
Website
MALOBO Bakery & Terrace Bar isn’t just another spot—it’s where snacking meets beach views from sunrise to starry nights.
Morning munchies feature the house granola with coconut yogurt, berries, almond milk, and a touch of edible flowers. There’s also the fluffy hotcake, a staple made more delectable by berry compote, almond flakes, and maple mascarpone.
When night falls, it’s the alcoholic bevvies that take center stage. Beer on tap dominates the scene around this time, but you’ll also find customers sipping on wines by the glass, cider, and house spritz.
Tip: Don’t keep your taste buds guessing. Stay on top of the flavor game by checking their menus like a food detective.
