Sandyfoot Cafe and Bar, Shoal Bay, NSW

A short drive from Nelson Bay is Shoal Bay, the eastern-most suburb of Port Stephens.

Such a stunning beach

When we were staying at Nelson Bay we drove to Shoal Bay looking for somewhere to enjoy breakfast and directly across the road from the stunning beach we found the Sandyfoot Cafe and Bar. The cafe has indoor and outdoor seating but as the day was spectacular we sat outside and enjoyed the view of the beach. The beach is totally north-facing which is actually a rare thing for any beach on Australia’s eastern seaboard.

Barefoot Cafe and Bar

The setting at the Sandyfoot Cafe is superb and sitting looking out onto the lovely beach in such a serene and non-hurried environment was actually quite therapeutic.

Finding a table

At the cafe you order at the counter and pay, then they give you a table number and everything is brought to your table. We did seem to have sat ourselves at the wobbliest table in the world so we asked the waiter for something to put under one of the legs to balance it and he came back with a few layers of cardboard and chocked up the table.

Two of us at the table and a third on the phone

Carl started with a soy cappuccino that he said was excellent but he was barely able to enjoy it as his phone was running off the hook because it was a week-day and it seemed everything at the office was blowing up. I sat with Alfie and enjoyed a bottle of chilled mineral water.

Drinks to start with

I ordered the Eggs Benedict for both of us that came with hash browns and a tomato. I was quite disappointed when it was put in front of us as I thought the presentation was very ho-hum. A sprinkling of some finely chopped parsley or chives over the hollandaise sauce wouldn’t have taken much effort and certainly would have helped.

Eggs Benedict $15.00

While the eggs were beautifully poached, the hollandaise sauce was dire. It had an unusual flavour like it had been made from a packet-mix instead of being a genuine sauce made from natural ingredients. The hash browns were very oily and the tomato unremarkable.

A beautiful view from the cafe

Alfie ordered the pancakes with maple syrup, whipped cream and strawberries. Again, I didn’t think much of the presentation. I think a stack of pancakes always looks better than pancakes spread around a plate. However, my nine-year old isn’t as fussy when it comes to presentation as I am and Alfie had no complaints about the piped cream and the scattered strawberries and said he enjoyed his breakfast very much.

Pancakes with maple syrup, whipped cream and strawberries: $10.00

Verdict: The Sandyfoot Cafe is in a stunning position and one of only a few cafes in the area. While sitting outside and enjoying the view is very special, in terms of what we experienced with the breakfast menu, the food is a let-down. I have heard it’s a lovely place to go to enjoy a drink at the end of the day.

Such a stunning beach

Sandyfoot Cafe and Bar: Shoal Bay Resort and Spa, Shoal Bay Road, Shoal Bay NSW 2315

Ph: 02 4981 1555