Delicious coffee, groovy vibes and hands down the best chicken waffles you’ve ever tasted, Hissy Fits cafe transports you back to a time when retro decor was all the rage. Every last detail – down to the smiling team behind the counter – give this quirky little cafe on Peel the funk its adored for. The whole menu is fresh, fun and focused on providing you (and your tastebuds!) nourishment and comfort, with lots of gluten free options available to boot.

457 Peel Street | Tamworth NSW 2340 | Facebook | Instagram | Monday 8.00am–3.00pm | Tuesday to Friday 7.00am–3.00pm | Saturday 7.00am–2.00pm | Sunday 8.00am–1.00pm

Searching for brekkie with a side serving of play park? Hopscotch has got you covered. Found on the edge of Bicentennial Park with Tamworth’s Regional Playground literally next door, you’ll be suited and booted for pancakes and play in one fell swoop. Mimosa and Martinis more your style? Hopscotch has got your back on this front too. Bring your pooch and take refuge from the heat in the shady courtyard or next to the bubbling fountain, because the team are serving cold beverages of all kinds from 10am onwards, Monday to Sunday.

Bicentennial Park Tamworth, Corner Kable Avenue and Hill Street | Tamworth NSW 2340 | (02) 5712 9750 | Website | Facebook | Instagram | Monday to Sunday 7.00am–3.00pm

Set in an breathtakingly beautiful refurbished building in Uralla, the Alternate Root is a popular brunch spot for both the locals and folks exploring the region from far and wide. Open seven days a week, the cafe’s team are seasoned pros, providing table service, pouring Mother Sky coffee, and offering a diverse menu bursting with local produce. Our pick is the smashed avocado and feta with beetroot yogurt, poached egg and crispy kale. YUM!

48 Bridge Street | Uralla NSW 2358 | (02) 6778 3185 | Facebook | Instagram | Monday to Thursday 7.00am–2.30pm | Friday 7.00am–2.30pm, 5.00pm–9.00pm | Sunday 8.00am–2.30pm

Kinship Kitchen Cafe is nestled halfway along the Armidale Mall – a ‘stop in your tracks’ kinda venue thanks to the stained glass windows and divine wooden floorboards. Offering a beautiful, yet simple, menu rich with seasonal produce, Catherine Armstrong, published author and regular on ABC Radio Chat, brings her years of expertise to Armidale’s palate. Our pick? The carrot fritters! Cathy has kindly posted the recipe for these on her Instagram page. So, what are you waiting for? Get frying!

171 Beardy Street | Armidale NSW 2350 | 0404 851 990 | Facebook | Instagram | Tuesday to Friday 9.30am–2.30pm | Saturday 9.00am–1.00pm

Does love at first sight count if it’s with a breakfast toastie? We think so! The girls at the Coffee Incident in Glen Innes are the toastie queens – and the hollandaise toastie served on Turkish bread does not disappoint. Primarily a cabinet cafe, this venue’s star of the show is, put simply, really awesome coffee. Using Single O beans, backed by the incredible training of the team, The Coffee Incident knows how to get the best from the bean. Every muffin, slice, wrap, toastie and croissant in sight is made fresh on site every morning. Drop in and say hi to the girls behind the counter – they do everything with love and pride themselves on creating a fun and special atmosphere for locals and travellers alike.

191 Grey Street | Glen Innes NSW 2370 | 0455 445 634 | Facebook | Instagram | Monday to Friday 7.30am–2.00pm | Saturday 8.00am–12.00pm

Delicious donuts, exceptional coffee and sourdough all the way from the Burleigh Baker? Sign us up – STAT! Bad Manners has plenty to offer, from its beautiful garden and indoor aesthetics, to the joyful team and cabinet full of yummy treats – these guys have got the whole kit and kaboodle. Get on it.

148 Manners Street | Tenterfield NSW 2372 | 0414 675 870 | Facebook | Instagram | Friday to Sunday 7.00am–2.00pm