Where do you get a good coffee before 6am in the Illawarra?
Our top Illawarra coffee spots for the early riser:
- Published
OUT OF THE HOUSE BEFORE 6AM?
The Illawarra is home to a large number of shift workers, tradespeople and Sydney commuters. For those of us who are on our way to work long before the sun is up, the struggle is real, when it comes to grabbing a good brew on our way. It’s only the most committed baristas who are willing to have their coffee machines ready to get to work as such an ungodly hour, but for that, we thank them.
We’ve scoured the Illawarra to find some of these dedicated cafes who open their doors before 6am in order for you to get your early morning caffeine fix. We aren’t all morning people, despite what our work schedule demands from us, so be sure to be extra nice to these gracious givers of the good stuff next time you’re their first customer of the day. Check out our top picks, from the Northern Illawarra suburbs to south of the Windang Bridge.
NORTHERN ILLAWARRA CAFES THAT OPEN EARLY BEFORE 6AM:
FinBox Supply Co
THIRROUL
269 Lawrence Hargrave Dr,
Thirroul 2515 NSW
Finbox is the love child of a surf shop and a cafe. Conveniently located in the northern end of Thirroul, it’s the perfect spot to pull up out the front for a takeaway coffee as you pass through the main stretch or to grab a cup of the good stuff to take with your while you check the surf. The crew at Finbox start serving from 5:30am to ensure you have an amazing start to the day.
Piggy’s Cafe
Corrimal
Shop 8, 177-181 Princes Hwy, Corrimal 2518 NSW
Piggy’s Cafe is run by Ethan & Katie, serving Little Paradise coffee from 5am weekdays.
Seafoam Cafe, Thirroul
6 Railway Pde,
Thirroul 2515 NSW
Tucked inside Byrne Surf shop, the friendly team at Seafoam have the coffee machine warmed up by 5am.
His & Hers, Corrimal
313 Princes Hwy,
Corrimal 2518 NSW
You won’t be disappointed with the coffee or the food at His & Hers. Opening from 5:30am weekdays.
CENTRAL ILLAWARRA CAFES THAT OPEN EARLY BEFORE 6AM:
Amalfi Cafe, Wollongong
4 Auburn St, Wollongong NSW 2500
The Amalfi crew are serving you the good stuff from 4:30am weekdays.
Two Doors Up, Fairy Meadow
Shop 1/31 Princes Hwy,
Fairy Meadow 2519 NSW
And the bragging rights go to… the winners of local radio station 96.5 Wave FM’s Best Coffee in the Illawarra!
You’ll also find some hearty breakfast options, regardless of whether savoury or sweet is your thing. Two Doors Up open from 5:30am weekdays.
Goodies Cafe, Wollongong
Unit 8/375 Crown St, Wollongong NSW 2500
Goodies Cafe have a loyal crew who love to call this place their local. You can get down there for an early brew from 5am Monday to Friday and from 6am on the weekend.
Ariel’s Wollongong Train Station
1 Railway Station Square, Wollongong NSW 2500
Convieniently located for those poor people who have to do the long commute to Sydney via train each day. Open from 5:30am weekdays to help get them through.
Xavier’s Place
Fairy Meadow
Shop 4/19-21 Princes Hwy,
Fairy Meadow 2519 NSW
Conveniently located on the highway, you don’t need to detour to get your caffeine fix on the way to work. Serving Whitehorse Coffee from the Sutherland Shire, Xavier’s Place will have you sorted from 5:30am on weekdays and 6am weekends. I highly recommend the Benny Roll to start your day off right.
4M Espresso Bar
Unanderra
1/2 Waverley Dr, Unanderra NSW 2526
Helping all the tradies and workers of Unanderra Industrial area stay caffeinated early from 5:30am weekdays.
Wollongong City Patisserie
Shop 2, 39 Bethlehem St
Cringila 2502 NSW
Cringila isn’t just the secret home of the Illawarra’s best burek – it’s also a sneaky spot to get yourself an excellent cup of coffee as early as 5am. You can also grab some delicious lebanese pastries for your brekky on the run. Once you’ve seen what these guys can create in their cake display, you’re going to be back to book your next celebration catering!
SOUTHERN ILLAWARRA CAFES THAT OPEN EARLY BEFORE 6AM:
Brunch Cartel
Oak Flats
118 Industrial Rd, Oak Flats NSW 2529
Serving up the liquid gold from 5:30am weekdays, Brunch Cartel has a cute coffee van set up. get down and give them a try!
Part One Coffee
Kiama
35 Manning St, Kiama NSW 2533
Now this place looks like it has a very cool vibe. If you need qa quick cup of Joe to hit the road-they are open from 5:30am 7 days a week!
Oh Dang! Espresso, Windang
2/314 Windang Rd,
Windang 2528 NSW
Serving up Whitehorse Coffee and some mean looking breakfast burgers, Oh Dang are ready to greet you with a massive smile to start your day. It’s a no brainer if you’re heading north, with parking spots usually available right out the front.
Open from 5:30am for takeaway coffees.
Got a recommendation for us?
If you know of a great Illawarra business serving up quality coffee for the early birds, let us know. We’d love to expand our list!