Just 12 kilometres from Taree, historic Wingham is well worth the diversion. Settled in the 1840s after cedar forestry began in the Manning Valley, Wingham retains much of its heritage and character. Bent on Food, although not reliving 19th century Wingham, is a quirky and very popular hang out. The brightly painted furnishings give the cafe a cheery demeanour that also radiates from the amicable staff. A small seating section on the way to the garden courtyard emulates vintage vibe, while the main section doubles as a mini shop selling spices, jams and the like. There are a few tables out the front on the footpath, which are hard to bypass, or perch on a stool at the window to watch the Wingham world go by. Just by looking at the batch of scones on the counter, I know they are going to be good. I can’t but help give the creamy, soft and fluffy scones five teapots. The strawberry jam has a hint of vanilla and is one of the jams sold in the cafe. The cream from a cream canister is a tad too light for me, but the scones are so good, the light cream can be forgiven.

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A basic range of loose-leaf teas served in a good-sized teapot.

Price: $$

Overall: A cheery cafe cafe all-round, from the staff to the brightly painted furniture.

Location: 95 Isabella St, Wingham NSW 2429 Ph: 02 6557 0727 bentonfood.com.au

Reviewed April 2019

There’s no doubt about it; Bilpin is a pretty place. It’s all green rolling hills and fruit orchards. If driving from Sydney, The Pines Orchard is a peaceful place to take a break. Most people stop for the apple pies, or to pick up some freshly picked fruit, juice, or jams. The scones sit beside the apple pies and are chewy and don’t taste particularly fresh. The jam is acceptable, but it’s a shame that they don’t use any of the jams that are sold in the shop as opposed to the low quality cafe variety. The super light cream that’s dispensed from a cream canister is so light it melts easily in the autumn sun, but probably does better during winter months. I don’t get the jam to cream ratio, what’s the point of having half the amount of jam than cream? The cup of tea is a total rip off at $4.

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A basic range of Twinings teabags served in a cup, or perhaps a teapot if you request one.

Price: $$

Overall: Overpriced tourist trap.

Location: 2070 Bells Line of Rd, Bilpin NSW 2758 Ph: 02 4567 1195 facebook.com

Reviewed March 2019

Compared to some of the other cafes in Wingham, Coffee on Isabella is the sort of cafe that might go under the radar. It’s friendly, simply decorated and unassuming, not really the type of cafe that might draw in the tourists. However the Devonshire Tea special lures me in. There’s a choice of plain or date scones, and I go for the plain, which is slightly sweet but a bit tough on the bottom – probably from being microwaved. The strawberry jam is average, but I don’t mind it as it’s like the jam from my childhood, chunky and from a can. The thickly whipped cream is a bonus and does wonders on improving the scone.

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: An array of Twinings tea bags served in either a cup or a tea pot.

Price: $$

Overall: Pleasant and unassuming.

Location: 97 Isabella St, Wingham NSW 2429 Ph: 02 6553 0600

Reviewed April 2019

Regional galleries are always interesting; you never know what you’re going to come across. The small gallery has enough space for a exhibition (Hill End artist Rosemary Valedon was exhibiting at the time), and the attached Gallery Shop has a wide range of well-made, innovative and creative wares highlighting local artists. Named after the 18th century French artist, Seraphine Cafe is the ideal meeting place for a meal or a coffee, regardless whether art is your thing. It’s buzzing, and tables are hard to come by at peak times. There are tables in the cobbled courtyard outside, but considering it is 40 degrees out there, the air conditioned indoors is definitely more popular. I take the half serve of scones (one fresh homemade scone), which incidentally is soft and heavenly. The raspberry jam is rich and tart and the double thick cream a perfect accompaniment.

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A selection of Tea Craft loose-leaf teas served in a teapot.

Price: $$ to $$$

Overall: Quality art exhibits, interesting gallery shop, spacious cafe and overall great Devonshire Tea.

Location: Maitland Regional Art Gallery, 230 High St, Maitland NSW 2320
Ph: 02 4934 7264 mrag.org.au

Reviewed February 2019

I’m not sure what Flower Power Warriewood is like on the weekends, but during the week the crowds are non-existent and it’s a pleasure to potter around the plants and homewares, and to pick up herbs for the garden. This is my second visit to the Sanctuary Cafe and Restaurant in four years and things have changed – for the better.  We’re told that they bake 90 scones every three days, but I don’t think they baked today. The scones are a vast improvement on the wholemeal ones I had in 2014. They are light with a slight crispiness from the heating. The Hanks jams are a treat, and I find myself tossing up between the fig and the sour cherry. The cream is thankfully fresh but too aerated. Good to see some good quality loose-leaf teas and a proper tea cup.

Scones: 

Jam: 

Cream: 

Tea: A good basic range of Tea Blossom loose-leaf teas plus a few interesting ones, served in a small Japanese iron teapot.

Price: $$

Overall: Check for the Devonshire Tea special.

Location: Flower Power Garden Centre Warriewood, 22 Macpherson St, Warriewood NSW 2102 Ph: 02 9979 2557 sanctuarycafe.com.au

Reviewed in October 2018

Hazelhurst Regional Gallery & Arts Centre is tucked away in the back streets of Gymea, and I had no idea that it was there. The centre is a triple treat. There’s an art gallery, and the day I visit the local artist is in residence and on hand for a chat. There’s also a pottery exhibition in the arts centre, and some pottery for sale. However, it feels like the Hazelhurst Cafe is the centrepiece of the place and attracts a large crowd that fills every table. The tables spill out onto an attractive terrace that overlooks shady gardens, and although the place is embedded in suburbia, you wouldn’t know it. The cafe space is large, light and airy, and the outdoor terrace is a joy. The scones on the other hand don’t impress like the cafe does. The two fruit scones are dry and stale; they actually taste like they are from a supermarket or a bakery. The big dollop of Hanks triple berry jam is rich and tasty, and very good for a commercial jam. This paired with the equally big dollop of double thick cream, still can’t save the scones.

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A decent selection of loose-leaf teas served in a Japanese iron teapot.

Price: $$

Overall: A lovely space, but shame about the scones.

Location: Hazelhurst Regional Gallery & Arts Centre, 782 Kingsway, Gymea NSW 2227
Ph: 02 8536 5700 hazelhurst.com.au

Reviewed October 2018

Situated far from the main Wahroonga shopping area, The Fox Cafe is in a small cluster of businesses not far from the Seven Adventist Hospital. Attracting a mix of locals and hospital visitors, the cafe is popular. Indoors can get noisy, so opt for the outdoor dining. The scone arrives already cut and totally unappetising. It’s dry and bread-like, and tastes like it’s made from a packet mix. The squirt from a can of super light cream and portion control jams only adds to the disappointing spread. It’s a shame as the cafe food is good, but just not the Devonshire Tea.

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A basic range of Simplicity tea bags served in a decent sized iron teapot.

Price: $$

Overall: An unpretentious cafe in a quiet residential area.

Location: 2/178 Fox Valley Rd, Wahroonga NSW 2076 Ph: 02 9487 7406

Reviewed November 2018

It’s a bit weird eating a Devonshire Tea at a wine bar when there is a fabulous tea room one level up. That’s the Queen Victoria Building (QVB), full of interesting possibilities. The higher you go towards the QVB’s ornate ceiling, the more the busyness of the city dissipates. Cicchetti Wine Bar attracts those wanting wine with lunch. You might say it has a split personality; lunch and afternoon tea haven by day, then turns into a chilled hangout for a wine or two from Thursday to Saturday evenings. They do plug High Teas, but it is possible to just get a Devonshire Tea – so don’t be pressured into or put off by thinking you have to have the whole shebang. The fresh creamy scones hit the spot, and I think that perhaps it’s okay to eat scones in a wine bar after all! The blueberry compote is fruit rich with only a hint of sweetness, and the slightly sweet and thickly whipped cream is the perfect accompaniment. Great effort with the pretty tea ware and the iron tea pot that is one size up from the usual teeny tiny one used in some cafes.

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A slightly better than basic range of loose-leaf teas served in a decent sized Japanese iron teapot.

Price: $$$$

Overall: It’s a lovely spread, but for the price, it’s not quite the quality or the ambience of some other tea rooms in the QVB.

Location: QVB, Level 2, 455 George St, Sydney NSW 2000 Ph: 02 8084 5470 cicchettiwinebar.com.au

Reviewed October 2018

It’s prime location at the entrance to one of Gosford’s busy shopping malls makes Frangipani hard to miss. Its bright and light countenance is inviting for not just its location for people watching possibilities, but also because it’s genuinely an inviting space. The sign says that the scones have just been baked, but the plain ones looks terrible, so I opt for the date one. It comes out after spending a tad too long in the microwave, but it still looks better than the plain scones. The strawberry jam is the average stock standard cafe jam, and the cream is fresh but super light, the type you get from a cream-whipping canister. If you find yourself stuck in Gosford, Frangipani is not such a bad place to hang out.

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A basic selection of Twinnings tea bags served in a small tea pot.

Price: $$

Overall: A simple place well-placed in the heart of Gosford.

Location: Imperial Centre, Shop 45, 171 Mann St, Gosford NSW 2250 Ph: 02 4324 2558

Reviewed September 2018

I do love tagging on a cafe visit after picking up a plant or two at a Flower Power Garden Centre. The most recent reincarnation of this cafe space at Flower Power Terrey Hills, The Vines Cafe, still serves scones to hungry shoppers. The layout of the cafe is little changed, with the kiddies playground at one end of the cafe, and a section around a corner that is far enough away kiddie activity so it’s possible to still have a conversation. Choose from plain or date scones, which are served with thick whipped cream, but unfortunately cheap jam. The scones are buttery and slightly crispy on the outside and are delicious, and it’s a shame that the jam is lousy.

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A small variety of tea drop silk tea bags.

Price: $$

Overall: A pleasant place to rest while garden shopping.

Location: Flower Power Garden Centre, 277 Mona Vale Rd, Terrey Hills NSW 2084
Ph: 02 8401 7555 flowerpower.com.au

Reviewed October 2018