Coffee in a surf town
Torquay runs on coffee. The surfers are out at dawn, the dog walkers are on the foreshore soon after, and the town's cafes open early to catch them. You'll find a good flat white on The Esplanade, a few beach kiosks, a local roaster, and bakeries for a pie on the way to the beach.
Below are the places to know, grouped by where they are. Places with their own page on this site are linked. Cafes change hands and hours more often than restaurants, so check the cafe's socials before you make a special trip, especially in winter.
On The Esplanade
The beach road is where most people end up, with Front Beach and Fishermans Beach across the road.
Pond Cafe
One of Torquay's original specialty coffee shops, at 39 The Esplanade, grinding Seven Seeds beans and serving some of the town's more interesting breakfasts. It's across the road from the beach.
Bomboras
A green weatherboard cafe with a big deck under the cypress trees on the foreshore. It does breakfast, lunch and a takeaway coffee window, and closes in the late afternoon.
The Salty Dog Cafe Host favourite
A kiosk on the beach at 50 The Esplanade, looking over Fishermans Beach. It opens at 6am for coffee, toasties, smoothies and cakes, and the kitchen runs until 2pm with an all-day menu: smashed avo, eggs Benny, Turkish eggs, burgers, fish and chips, and a kids' menu. Dogs are welcome, which is where the name comes from. A 20% surcharge applies on public holidays.
Third Wave Kiosk
The rusty steel building on the foreshore at Torquay Surf Beach, 1 The Esplanade. It was built as a year-round beach facility with a cafe, toilets and change rooms, and its Corten steel design by Tony Hobba Architects won Best Cafe Design at the 2012 Eat-Drink-Design Awards. Come for a coffee and the view of the surf. The food menu is short.
Around town and the surf shops
Cafe El Nido
In the Dunes Village shops at 222 Fischer Street, north Torquay, with a Filipino-inspired all-day menu: a breakfast bowl with garlic rice and longganisa sausages, pandan ricotta hotcakes, chicken joi burgers and housemade dumplings, alongside plain toast on Zeally Bay sourdough. It's open from 7am Monday to Saturday and 8am on Sunday, until 3pm, and takes bookings.
The Kiosk Torquay
A takeaway window at 3/61 Geelong Road, by Surf City Plaza, pouring coffee from Mikro, the roaster a couple of doors along, with jaffles, homemade sausage rolls and baked treats. There's no seating, but the queue moves fast. It's open from 6am to 2pm every day, public holidays included, so it's an easy one before an early surf or a morning at the outlets.
Mikro Coffee Roasters
Torquay's own coffee roaster, at 3/57 Geelong Road. It started with a tiny roaster in a backyard shed, and it's now a certified B Corp that roasts carbon-neutral. It's a roastery and shop rather than a sit-down cafe: go for a bag of beans or some brewing gear, and get your coffee from The Kiosk a couple of doors along. Its beans turn up elsewhere too: Bells Beach Brewing uses Mikro coffee in its Bird Rock Brown ale.
Bainz Cafe
A brunch bar at 4 Baines Crescent, among the surf outlets, on the site that used to be Ginger Monkey. The drinks are the draw: Mikro coffee, matcha and seasonal specials made with house-made syrups, with cold foam on top. It's open from 7am to 3pm on weekdays and 8am to 3pm at the weekend. It's walk-in only, with no bookings, and you can order ahead through the Bainz website. A good stop between the outlets.
Mortadeli
A Maltese and Italian caffetteria and grocer in the little courtyard at 4-6 Gilbert Street. Everyday Coffee, cannoli piped to order and Maltese pastizzi in the morning, then sandwiches from 11am, led by the hobz biz-zejt, a Maltese tuna roll made for the beach. It's open seven days from 9am, walk-in only, and the grocer next door has cheese, cold cuts and tinned fish for a grazing board.
Bells Bakery
The bakery at 15 Bell Street, in the middle of town, for pies (including game pies), sausage rolls, fresh bread and vegan-friendly options, with Honeybird coffee and made-to-order sandwiches. It's open seven days, with seats inside and out, and the beach is a short walk away.
Jan Juc
Swell Cafe
A neighbourhood cafe in Jan Juc that has been serving locals and visitors since 1998. Breakfast and lunch run all day, with things like Freshwater Creek eggs on sourdough, house muesli, porridge, pancakes and a pumpkin and lentil curry bowl, and the juices and smoothies have a good name. It also does catering. It's a natural stop after a surf or a walk at Jan Juc beach.
At a glance
| Cafe | Where | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Pond Cafe | 39 The Esplanade | Seven Seeds coffee, interesting breakfasts |
| Bomboras | 37 The Esplanade | Brekkie and lunch on the foreshore |
| The Salty Dog Cafe | 50 The Esplanade | Beach kiosk, dogs welcome, from 6am |
| Third Wave Kiosk | 1 The Esplanade, Torquay Surf Beach | Coffee with the surf in front of you |
| Cafe El Nido | 222 Fischer Street, north Torquay | Filipino-inspired breakfast and lunch |
| The Kiosk Torquay | 3/61 Geelong Road | Mikro coffee and jaffles, 6am to 2pm daily |
| Mikro Coffee Roasters | 3/57 Geelong Road | Local roaster: beans and gear to take home |
| Bainz Cafe | 4 Baines Crescent | Brunch bar, matcha and Mikro coffee |
| Bells Bakery | 15 Bell Street | Pies, sausage rolls, Honeybird coffee |
| Mortadeli | 4-6 Gilbert Street | Maltese sandwiches, pastizzi, Italian grocer |
| Swell Cafe | Stuart Avenue, Jan Juc | All-day brunch, juices, since 1998 |
Everything in Torquay is about five minutes' drive from north Torquay, and Jan Juc is about 10 minutes.
Good to know
Early starts
The Salty Dog, The Kiosk and Swell in Jan Juc all open at 6am. Our breakfast guide has the rest of the early starts. Most cafes are winding down by 2 or 3pm, so for a late lunch, look at the restaurants guide.
Coffee with the dog
The Salty Dog says dogs are welcome. At the others, outdoor tables are your best bet. Our dog-friendly Torquay guide has the beach rules for dogs.
Summer and public holidays
From Boxing Day to the end of January, the Esplanade cafes have queues mid-morning, so go early or go inland to Baines Crescent or Cylinders Drive. Surcharges of 15 to 20% on public holidays are common.
Coffee at home
For beans to take home, try Mikro's roastery on Geelong Road, or its online shop. The Saturday farmers market is good for bread and pastries too.
Cafes FAQ
Where's the best coffee near the beach?
Pond Cafe on The Esplanade is one of Torquay's original specialty coffee shops. Third Wave Kiosk and the Salty Dog are right on the sand.
Which cafes open earliest?
The Salty Dog Cafe and The Kiosk Torquay both open at 6am.
Is there a dog-friendly cafe?
Yes. The Salty Dog Cafe on The Esplanade welcomes dogs.
Where can I get a pie?
Bells Bakery on Bell Street, open seven days, with game pies, sausage rolls and vegan options. Our bakeries guide has the rest.
Is there a vegetarian cafe?
Not any more: Ginger Monkey on Baines Crescent, which started out vegetarian and vegan, is now Bainz Cafe. Most menus mark their vegetarian and vegan dishes, and Swell in Jan Juc has a good spread, like its pumpkin and red lentil curry bowl and vegan fritos.
What about Jan Juc?
Swell Cafe has been the Jan Juc local since 1998, with all-day breakfast and good juices.
For lunch and dinner, see our restaurants guide, and for a drink later, the pubs and bars guide. With a coffee in hand, try the Surf Coast Walk or the beaches. Staying in north Torquay? Check dates at Holyday House.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 20 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.
- Salty Dog Cafe Torquay — The Salty Dog Cafe (official)
- 2012 Eat-Drink-Design Awards: Best Cafe Design — ArchitectureAu
- Bainz Cafe — Bainz (official)
- Ginger Monkey (closed) — HappyCow
- Cafe El Nido — Cafe El Nido (official)
- The Kiosk Torquay — Visit Great Ocean Road
- About Us — Mikro Coffee Roasters (official)
- Mikro Coffee Roasters — Wanderlog
- The Kiosk Torquay — Wanderlog
- Bells Bakery — Bells Bakery (official)
- Our menu — Swell Cafe (official)
- Torquay guide: eat, drink, do — RACV RoyalAuto