Miss Nellie's Café

Miss Nellie's Café is a country café in Kendall, New South Wales, set in a lovingly restored 100-year-old building on River Street. It's a café first, not a traditional bakery, but the baking is a big part of the appeal: the cakes, scones and desserts are made on the premises, and the jams are homemade too.

Ask around Kendall and you'll hear about the scones and the cakes. One local raved about a lemon myrtle cheesecake and a lemon curd tart, both made in-house, and the coffee is good with something sweet to go with it. Loose leaf tea is on the menu as well. If you'd rather have something savoury, there are breakfasts and light lunches, with toasties, salads and a generous gluten-friendly offering. Vegetarian and vegan options are covered too.

The high tea gets special mention. It's a proper occasion here, and locals say you need to book well ahead, so plan for that rather than turning up on the day. One couple described the service as exceptional, right down to a waitress running out to the car with a forgotten water bottle.

That kind of friendliness draws people in. The staff are warm and welcoming, the tables are nicely presented, and the prices are fair for the quality of the food. It's an easy place to sit with friends and relax, inside or out.

There's seating inside and out, a car park with wheelchair access, and high chairs for little ones, which makes it a comfortable stop for families. You can dine in or take your order away. It sits near the old wharf site and playground, so it pairs nicely with a wander around the area. The café was rebuilt after the floods with resilience in mind, and the community clearly appreciates having it back; they also stock local merchandise. The hours vary through the week, with a couple of days closed, so check before you go.