In House Kitchen

In House Kitchen is the café attached to The Home Interior in Nelson Bay, giving a meal or coffee stop a distinctly different setting from a standalone café. The wider space combines coastal living with Hamptons-inspired and timeless design elements, and is filled with homewares, furniture, lighting, rugs, prints, books and other pieces. The result is an easygoing place to browse and dine in the same visit, whether you are meeting someone for breakfast, taking a break while shopping or settling in for a relaxed lunch.

Breakfast covers familiar café favourites alongside a few more distinctive combinations. The menu includes eggs with sourdough and house-made tomato relish, a bacon and avocado breakfast plate, brioche French toast with cinnamon, passionfruit and seasonal fruit, and a maqui berry bowl with granola, peanut butter and berries. There are also savoury options such as avocado bruschetta with hummus, beetroot and pickled onion, house-made falafel with tahini labna and harissa, and a smoked salmon bagel with chive crème fraîche and traditional accompaniments. For a heartier start, the brioche Benny pairs poached eggs and hollandaise with a choice of bacon, ham, smoked salmon or beef brisket.

The brunch and lunch offering continues in a broad, approachable direction. Choices include a toasted chicken sandwich with pesto, spinach and cheese; a striploin open steak sandwich with roasted tomatoes, Spanish onion and chimichurri; Thai yellow chicken curry with vegetables and rice; fish tacos with battered whiting and slaw; and a grilled octopus salad with potato, olives and salsa verde. There is also a cabinet selection available throughout the day, including quiche or frittata, toasties, a pumpkin and halloumi sandwich, and a chicken and bacon wrap. Coffee and cake are also part of the café’s offering, while the associated store sells coffee beans, gift cards and coffee coins.

Families are catered for with a dedicated menu for children aged 12 and under, offering breakfast choices such as waffles, scrambled eggs or a small berry bowl, plus lunch options including fish and chips or crumbed chicken with fries. The café may also suit solo visitors looking for a coffee and something from the cabinet, as well as pairs or small groups wanting food in a relaxed, home-like environment. The Home Interior was established by Paul and Josie, who describe the business as a place where people can feel at home; In House Kitchen forms part of that longer-running family business and community-focused space.