Macs Beach Cafe, Central Coast - Playing in Puddles

Formerly known as the Barefoot Cafe at Macs Beach, the popular haunt re-opened its doors to Coasties in September 2022 as the NEW Macs Beach Cafe (this gets a huge “thank goodness” from us as it’s seriously one of the most picturesque spots to get your caffeine fix on the Coast)!

With its expansive ocean views, specialty coffee, and delicious food options, it’s become a surefire favourite among Central Coast locals. PLUS, the kid-friendly rockpool and large pine trees that cast shade across the sand make Macmasters Beach a fantastic beachside location for families too.

Read to on see why we love Macs Beach so much and why the new Macs Beach Cafe should be next on your mothers’ group hotspot list!

Macmasters Beach

Kids love the different natural play spaces that Macmasters Beach provides at its southern end. In the rockpool, little ones can enjoy a swim and go hunting for crabs and periwinkles. Just nearby, large rocks dot the sand creating a natural play space that kids love climbing on and exploring: watch as their imagination transforms one boulder into a pirate ship and another into a remote island. And, of course, there’s the surf and flagged swim area in the middle of the beach.

Large pines provide the southern end of the beach and rockpool with shade in the afternoon, which is so lovely at the height of summer. There aren’t many beaches on the Coast with natural shade, so we think this is a huge bonus.

It’s a great spot to visit at any time, but it’s definitely one to keep in mind during peak season. Macs isn’t on the radar of most tourists, so it’s normally far less crowded than nearby Terrigal or Avoca during school holidays.

Macs Beach Cafe

Macmasters Beach Cafe — Images top *@macsbeachcafe* | Image bottom by *Playing in Puddles*

Perched on a small hill overlooking Macmasters Beach and rockpool, the Macs Beach Cafe has a location that’s pretty hard to beat! The cafe’s tables are located on the glass-fenced deck, so everyone is guaranteed a view of the water. Most of the tables are large enough to accommodate groups of 6-8 and are under the shade of umbrellas or permanent sails. What a fabulous place to own a cafe, there is so much natural wonder to soak up.

Food: Macs Beach Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday – Sunday, and also for dinner each Friday and Sunday evening. Expect breakie faves including smashed avo, acai bowls, sourdough toast, and their notorious “Dirty Bacon and Egg Roll”.

The lunch menu boasts a delightfully adventurous take on your average cafe burger selection. We’re talking 15-hour slow-cooked pulled lamb, house-made tzatziki, thick truss tomatoes, Spanish onion, and rocket on a stone-cooked slab of ciabatta. Or house-made pastrami and Russian dressing on Sonoma rye, with sauerkraut, Westmount pickles, and melted Swiss cheese. And if those haven’t got you over the line, how about fresh Queensland Barramundi fillet, house-made chunky tartare, west mount pickles, and iceberg lettuce on a charcoal brioche bun? We’re sold.

They also have snacks by way of hot chips, croissants, toasties and donuts, and of course, coffee.

Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase from the Surf Club Bar on Friday (from 5pm) and Sunday (from 4pm) nights.

Great for kids: One of the key reasons we love Macs Beach Cafe is because it’s really kid friendly. The paved path is a great space for toddlers and preschoolers to cruise about on their balance bikes and scooters, or for tweens to practice their skate tricks. The grassed area, just a few metres from your table, is large enough and contained enough to allow the kids to kick a ball or play a game of “What’s the time Mr wolf” while you enjoy an uninterrupted conversation with friends. It’s fantastic.

Please be aware that the area is not fully fenced, so you do have to watch that wanderers don’t take off down the hill towards the beach or off into the back car park.