If you are planning on a holiday in Nelson Bay, or perhaps you live locally and want to try somewhere new for breakfast, then head on down to Blueys Cafe, right on the water at the d'Albora Marinas. This relaxed, beachy café opened at the end of 2018 in the middle of the busy tourist season, with customers making a beeline to every free table to enjoy the water views and sun-drenched, relaxed vibe.
Our family are regulars at our favourite breakfast café
The Little Nel, further up the road, however, we decided to give Blueys a try on a quiet winters morning, so we could enjoy a waterside table in the sun. Our young daughter was also happy to see that there was an oversized chess set in front of the café to play with - and she was even happier when she was joined by a few other kids. That left us parents to have a quiet read of the menu...
Blueys Cafe, d'Albora Marinas Nelson Bay
Browse the menu and have a game of chess!
On our breakfast visit, there were only a few customers before us and it wasn't long before we were joined by holiday-makers, who had walked along the waterfront and made the pleasant discovery. The cane chairs that faced the morning winter sun filled quickly, before other outside tables in the sun were snapped up. Other customers preferred to sit inside, with the beachy décor and an open kitchen to watch.
Take a seat in the outdoor dining area...
...near the entrance...
...or inside with the beachy decor
Blueys is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 7 days a week. On our breakfast visit, we chose the Superfood Breakfast Bowl and Bacon & Egg Roll, while our daughter picked the Toasted Ham & Cheese Croissant.
When our meals arrived, we were more than impressed with how they were presented. The Bacon & Egg Roll had an impressively long stick of pork crackling protruding from the top of the bun, as well as bright yellow yolk oozing slowly from its centre and relish dripping from the bun. According to my husband, who considers himself a Bacon & Egg Roll
aficionado, the relish and overall flavour made it one of the best rolls he has ever had!
Look at that stick of pork crackling! Bacon & Egg Roll & Ham & Cheese Croissant (both $12)
Close up of the oozing yolk!
If you prefer a healthier start to the day, you can't go past the Superfood Breakfast Bowl. Every component was fresh and full of flavour, with bursts of sweetness from the fruit and pomegranate and the added crunch from the nuts and seeds. The array of tropical toppings blended beautifully with the chia and creamy yoghurt underneath.
Although we arrived early, we were told when we ordered that my Superfood Breakfast Bowl was the last one, so ensure you have another choice in case the meal you want isn't available. Interestingly, we visited again early with friends a few weeks later and the Raisin Toast wasn't available on that occasion. We have since been back a few times now and tried other items off the menu, however, the Bacon & Egg Roll and Superfood Breakfast Bowl are our firm favourites. The coffee hits the spot too!
The colour and beauty of the Superfood Breakfast Bowl ($15)
Tasty food, coffee & water views
Blueys Café is conveniently located right on the water at d'Albora Marinas, just a few metres from where the dolphin and whale watching cruises depart. It is also just a short walk to the
Nelson Bay Playground if you have kids, and it is also part of the Nelson Bay Foreshore walkway which goes to
Little Beach in one direction and
Bagnalls Beach in the other. If you want to pick up some seafood after your meal for later, then take the short walk up to two local
seafood shops, near the end of the marina.
On a sunny, blue-sky day, it is easy to see why this popular café got its name.
The beautiful, clear-blue water of Nelson Bay, Port Stephens
