Best cafes in Wagga: The best brunch spots revealed

Community is what country life is all about and Wagga’s cafe scene is one of the best in the state, with lines out most doors daily. Meet the real culinary leaders behind that perfect brunch.

In the country, the local cafe is so much more than a simple coffee stop – it’s a community hub.

From entertainment and multi-functional areas, to the best cuppa and dessert classics to those riding the ‘clean eating’ wave, Wagga’s eateries continue to set the standard.

The Wagga News takes a look at the movers and shakers behind some of the regions’s top cafes and discovers some of the secrets to their success.

The Curious Rabbit

Owner of The Curious Rabbit Vicky says the cafe/art gallery has it all.

It’s an art gallery, a drag queen stage, a book shop and a brunch spot, The Curious Rabbit is the definition of a community hub.

Coined as a place for ‘curious people’ the space appeals to everyone and anyone who is loves art and music, life and culture.

Vicky Burkinshaw opened the doors to The Curious Rabbit right in the middle of Covid, on May 1, this year.

“My first thoughts when we went into lockdown was, oh my God, what have I done, but for the first couple of weeks of lockdown it was just a great opportunity to be able to reimagine the space, do a little bit of renovating,” Ms Burkinshaw said.

“As the space emerged people then started coming to me with ideas and that is really how we have manifested into this coffee, art gallery and event space.

“Originally it was meant to be a cafe art gallery idea, but as we started meeting new people we realised there was a big opportunity in Wagga for a creative space with all kinds of performing arts as well as visual arts.”

Ms Burkinshaw grew up in Wagga and recently relocated back from Melbourne, and said she wanted to ‘bring a little bit of Melbourne to Wagga.’

“For me growing up this is the kind of space I would have liked, as a teenager, it’s a fun space where you can turn up and know that something will be happening and it’s a hub where you can meet like minded people,” Ms Burkinshaw said.

“The best thing about running the business is that you get exposed to so many young beautiful and creative people and the opportunity for them to fulfil their dreams, it’s really inspiring and really special.

“Our resident drag queen Rose Quartz, didn’t have a platform to be able to play anywhere, so when you see how happy it makes people to fulfil their dreams is really quite exciting.

“I am so grateful for everyone for their ongoing support and choosing to meet and congregate here, we have so many events and functions coming up, and there is always something for everyone here.”

Lucid Coffee Bar

Emma Moss owns the Lucid Coffee Bar and enjoys the daily 'grind'.

A niche little coffee bar hidden in the shop front of a flower boutique, Scooter Flowers – Lucid specialises in clean eating – gourmet vegan sweets and treats.

Lucid Coffee Bar and Lucid Cafe owner Emma Moss said she established Lucid in 2018 at the age of 18.

“I started off with the combie van and ran that for two years and then established the coffee bar in 2020 just after the pandemic hit,” Ms Moss said.

“I think having previous community support from the combie and then transferring that over to brick and water was quite seamless as the Wagga community is so amazing.

“It made it really easy and especially during the pandemic it’s been really impressive seeing the community come together to support small business.

“Owning your own business is incredible as you are growing up with your business, and you attract the sort-of people that you are similar too, all my customers are like my family which is really not what I expected to happen.

“It’s been an awesome journey and it’s surprising to see how many people want plant-based sort of foods in their diets now, even if they are not vegan they just sort of want a bit more balance.”

When asked what’s the secrets to their success, Miss Moss said “finding your niche and building relationships” was key.

“It is a rollercoaster running your own business, especially when you put your heart and soul into it and you have to remember not to take anything personally,” Miss Moss said.

“The best thing about having the shop as well as the combie is that you get to be really hands on within the community and you are at every event and you get to be a part of everything, and its just such an amazing way to be able to project myself as a young entreprenure and connect with so many different types of people.”

Mock Orange

The staff at Mock Orange Cafe in Lake Albert are a great team.

Roslyn Mitchell, owner of Mock Orange, said she has been blessed with a loyal community that has been there consistently through the toughest times.

“Ive been incredibly lucky with some amazing committed staff as well as the community for their continued support,” Ms Mitchell said.

“This is the second time around that my staff have had to be impacted by a lockdown, the pivot to change from dine in to takeout is always hard but we have an amazing community here in Lake Albert.”

Mock Orange has been operating for just over three years and its sister store is located within Calvary Hospital opened in April.

Ms Mitchell started in hospitality in her early 20s before pausing and pursing a corporate career – returning to the hospitality industry with an idea and a vision to improve communities one cafe at a time.

“Opening a cafe was my last throw for a business idea, the vision is to improve communities by giving back,” Ms Mitchell said.

“I hope to be able to earn enough money to be able to give back to give back to the local community wherever the cafes are operating.

“Our giveback strategy is all about what is happening in the community, at the moment, is that we offer chemo patients to dine for free.

“I’ve been a cancer survivor myself, and doing this gives us an opportunity to go through the journey with some people and see some people survive out the other end.

Ms Mitchell said her staff and the local community have kept Mock Orange running.

“We’re a suburban cafe, the neighbourhood that is majority residential housing and we have been able to establish a little niche out here in the suburbs,” she said.

Mock Orange will continue their expansions, with plans to unveil a new cafe in Estella in the future.

Thorne St Cafe

Brendon Nisbet, owner of Thorne St Cafe, has been in the industry for more than eight years.

Brenton Nisbet proprietor of Thorne St Cafe – said a passion for coffee and good hospitality is simply part of the fun.

“I always had a passion for coffee, I bought a coffee van prior to this, so opening a cafe was the next step up and the opportunity arose to buy this location,” he said.

“At the moment we are open seven days per week, serving breakfast, brunch and lunch.

He said he has worked in the hospitality industry for more than eight, but has only owned Thorne St for the past year.

“Covid has quite tough, and lockdowns have been hard but I just want to thank everyone for their support over the past year and for supporting us during lockdown,” Mr Nisbet said.

The Brew

Supplied Editorial Kiernan cafe

The Brew has been popular among Wagga residents and their pooches since it first opened just after the second Covid breakout in August 2020.

Located in Turvey Park, the cafe boasts a large outdoor area, perfect for functions or casual dining with your best furry friend.

Owner Kim Wilson said it had been a challenge opening the cafe right out of lockdown, but it all came together with the help of her team, and business partner and venue manager Emily Podmore.

This is the first cafe Ms Wilson has ever opened – she and Ms Podmore collaborated for three months on the development and plans of the cafe.

“Kim and I just got talking and the ideas just came flowing and we thought about how amazing it would be to open up a cafe and we found the building, it all just kind of fell into our lap, it wasn’t too planned,” Ms Podmore said.

“Initially we thought it would be harder than it was to open in the year of Covid, but it is just all about maintaining that sign in and ensuring everyone is spaced out.

“We have this beautiful backyard which is a really good way to help get everyone spaced out.

Breakfast at The Brew is always a decadent affair.

In designing the venue, Ms Podmore said they were wanting a space for creating memories.

“Basically we just wanted to create a really welcoming space and Kim and I were both on the wavelength that is a space for people to be able to come to and connect, especially being that little bit further out of town we do see people come in from different areas,” she said.

“Its great to see all the families come and hang out and it’s made to be a place where you can create connections, have a good coffee.”

Ms Podmore said that during lockdown they used the time to try out new ideas and create new menu items, she also hinted that there are plenty of new surprises coming soon to The Brew.

The Brew are open Monday - Friday 6.30am-1.30pm and Saturdays from 8am-1pm.

When asked about the key to success, Ms Wilson said it all came together through the help of such a young and professional team.

“We have a great team and I think that is the key to our cafes success,” Ms Wilson said.

“Happy staff makes for happy customers and we wanted to hire people that were caring, kind and have a great work ethic.

“We love having everyone here and that we are so thankful to the community and we hope to continue bringing you a beautiful space to make meaningful memories in.”

The Fitz Cafe

The Fitz Cafe is in the CBD and offers up some tasty options.

The Fitz has something for everyone with an array of delicious food options, catering to people with dietary requirements including vegan, gluten free and nut allergies.

Whether you feel like breakfast, lunch or a speciality coffee, it has it all.

Lincoln Woo and his wife have owned and operated the business for just over six years.

While business is still down from normal, he said being situated in the CBD has helped with the recent lockdowns.

“The community has been great – we cannot thank the community enough for our continuous growth each year and local support,” Mr Woo said.

“Running a business during Covid, we have found it challenging, and we have just learnt so much about our business and operations and constantly finding new. ways to find more ways to connect with the community.

“A lot of our customers are all returning, so when people aren’t visiting the town, that‘s when you really rely on that loyal community support.”

When asked about their secrets to success, Mr Woo said it was “all of our clients and their ongoing support.”

“Our clients have 100 per cent kept us going, I would just like to thank the Wagga community for getting behind us, twice now, and it’s incredible to have and continue to build relationships with the customers and being able to see them everyday,” he said.

“I think that they just keep supporting us more and more each year.”