Elliotts at Oakvale

Elliotts at Oakvale is a cafe in Pokolbin, Newcastle, offering coffee, casual dining, takeaway food, provisions and catering. It suits a quick stop for takeaway coffee or breakfast on the run, as well as a slower meal across breakfast and lunch. The cafe also has a licensed drinks offering, with mimosas available with breakfast from 10am, local wines and Friday sundowner sessions featuring cocktails and seafood. Hours listed on the venue’s website are 8am to 4pm, with Wednesdays closed.

Coffee is a major part of the experience. Elliott’s uses organic, single-origin beans and freshly ground Withams Coffee, with a choice of milk alternatives including almond, oat, soy and lactose-free milk. The food menu includes familiar breakfast options such as eggs benedict, smashed avocado and egg and bacon rolls, alongside seasonal salads, grilled salmon, burgers, wraps and toasties. There is also a display of slices and other sweet treats, plus loose-leaf teas and cold-pressed juices. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options are available, with the venue asking guests to mention dietary requirements when booking or ordering.

The cafe shares a courtyard garden with Oakvale Wines, set beside the property’s historic vines. Guests can eat indoors or outdoors, sit under the pepper tree, or combine a meal with a wine tasting. The relaxed setting can work for a casual coffee, a meal with friends or a special occasion, while the courtyard is also available for corporate events and private functions. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leads, and a dog water bowl is provided. Groups should contact the venue ahead, particularly for eight or more people; groups over 12 may need to choose from a reduced menu.

Elliotts was created and is managed by Hunter Valley locals Mel and Steve. Steve brings more than 30 years’ experience as a chef, including work in high-end restaurants in Australia and London, while the site has particular significance for Mel’s family: the Elliott family first settled in the Hunter Valley in 1825, and the property was later developed into a winery. Alongside dining, the venue offers hampers, platters, picnic boxes, sweet treats, teas, snacks, cheese, cold meats and other provisions, as well as offsite catering for Hunter Valley events. It is a practical choice for wine-country visitors, groups planning a gathering, or anyone looking for coffee and a relaxed meal near Oakvale Wines.