It’s the second time I visit this venue to break scones. The latest incarnation is as the Monkey Creek Cafe & Gallery, under of course, new management. The views across the Blue Mountains are still stunning and the gallery across from the cafe is worth a wander through. The cafe itself hasn’t really changed too much, but the scones are definitely better than those from the previous cafe. The massive scone is super fresh, and so light it melts in your mouth. It’s paired with a stock-standard strawberry jam that is rather ordinary compared to the scone and the double thick cream. Situated at the Lithgow end of The Bells Line of Road, Monkey Creek Cafe is the last chance to get a peek at the Blue Mountains before heading west.

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A basic range of Twinings teabags served in a cup, however they have English Breakfast loose-leaf tea.

Price: $$

Overall: A convenient stop with great views and an excellent gallery.

Location: 227 Chifley Rd, Dargan NSW 2786 Ph: 0488 552 776

Reviewed August 2019

In cafe heavy Mittagong, The Station Coffee House stands out for it’s high-ceilinged heritage building and obvious popularity. There’s hardly a table available midweek! It feels like it was a former butcher shop, but it could have been anything as it has penny farthing pictures around the place. A bike shop in the old days perhaps? There is a tray of scones on the counter and they look good: the perfect size and fresh to boot. The strawberry jam is ordinary and the cream is from a cream canister so is light and airy. I’m not a fan of drinking my tea from a coffee cup, but who am I to complain; it is a coffee house after all.

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A basic range of loose-leaf teas served in a small pot.

Price: $$

Overall: An atmospheric cafe in what looks to be an old butcher shop.

Location: 12 Bowral Rd, Mittagong NSW 2575 Ph: 02 4871 1171

Reviewed August 2019

The Tahmoor Garden Centre is tucked away off the Old Hume Highway and unless driving past or actually looking for it, you wouldn’t know it was there. It’s a compact garden centre with the attached Le Jardin Cafe a real treat. Sit out on the timber deck or inside where decorations lean toward a French influence. The scones are stupidly fresh and fluffy, and I am guessing not long out of the oven. The good quality raspberry jam is tart rather than sweet and my only gripe is there just isn’t enough to go around and I could do with a smidgen more. The whipped cream is super thick, bonus, but has a strange texture, almost like mock cream, although I’m assured it isn’t.

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A range of Highland Merchant loose-leaf teas served in a teapot.

Price: $$

Overall: A sweet garden centre with a French inspired cafe.

Location: 3070 Remembrance Driveway, Bargo NSW 2574 Ph: 02 4684 2000 tahmoorgardencentre.com.au

Reviewed July 2019

My first thought is why isn’t my tea served in a big green cup? It is The Big Green Cup Cafe after all! Set in a horseshoe shaped plaza off the man road means it’s not as obvious as those right on the road. The cafe is quite extensive and includes a mini gallery and a cool home and giftware shop at one end selling retro style goods. The outdoor seating out the front is a sun-catcher in the afternoon and perfect for cooler weather. The scones look impressive with a light dusting of icing sugar, but have the tell-tale taste that it’s spent too much time in the microwave. A bit on the rubbery side, the deliciously rich raspberry jam makes an effort to save the scones, but the too light cream dispensed from a cream canister doesn’t. Make time to browse the store and gallery.

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A range of Rabbit Hole loose-leaf teas served in a large teapot.

Price: $$

Overall: A spacious cafe with a funky vintage-style giftware shop attached.

Location: 7/10/23 Malbon St, Bungendore NSW 2621 Ph: 0400 123 179 thebiggreencupcafe.com

Reviewed July 2019

A renovated 1950s apple packing shed, The Hive Berambing is one of several newly renovated sheds along the Bells Line of Road. With a name like ‘The Hive’, expect an array of Bilpin bush honey products for sale plus other Bilpin apple specialties such as cider and of course apple pies! Its refurbishment is fresh and simple and there are tables outside for good weather. The waft of freshly baked apple pies holds a promise of the scones to come, and they don’t disappoint. They are slightly crispy on the outside and all fresh goodness within, accompanied by a strawberry jam that tastes ‘real’: tart and fruity. Although the cream is fresh, it’s very light, from a cream canister. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Scones:

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A small range of pyramid tea bags served in a small pot.

Price: $$

Overall: A subdued roadside cafe with house baked goodies.

Location: 6-18 Bells Line of Rd, Berambing NSW 2758 Ph: 02 4567 2590 thebilpinbushhoneycafe.com.au

Reviewed August 2019

I know there’s been a drought for the past few years, but I’m not sure how business will be at Whale Beach Deli when the rain finally comes. Predominately an outside venue with only an indoor row of stools at a bar along the wall, I hope the shady umbrellas outside are waterproof. Unlike the other cafes in the Boathouse portfolio, Whale Beach Deli serves the same menu to a much smaller group of diners and without the ocean views (although poke your head around the side of the building and you can see the ocean). I have been to three of the Boathouses in Sydney, and this has to be the best serve of scones, jam and cream yet. To be honest, it’s usually quite ordinary. This time round the lightly toasted buttermilk scones (not sure why they have to be toasted) are creamy and fresh, and the jam is now made in house. Today it’s raspberry, and it’s tart and fruity like a good-quality jam should be. The cream is now the only weak link; too light and airy, and dissolves in the August winter sun. You can take home a jar of The Boathouse jam if it impresses.

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A basic range of loose-leaf teas served in a Japanese iron teapot. My Earl Grey tea is served with a mound of lemon zest. Bonus!

Price: $$$

Overall: A laidback offshoot of the notoriously popular Boatshed conglomerate.

Location: 1/231 Whale Beach Rd, Whale Beach NSW 2107 Ph: 02 9974 5440 whalebeachdeli.com.au

Reviewed August 2019

A popular rest stop for Canberrans making the trip to the South Coast along the Kings Highway, Bungendore is buzzing. Cafe Woodworks is easy to find on the main drag as it’s attached to the rather large Bungendore wood works gallery. The gallery takes up a good part of a corner block so it’s hard to miss. If you’re in to wood, its well worth a visit for the extensive range of home and giftware, and wooden artworks available for sale. Back at the cafe, there’s a spacious interior dining area and a smaller outdoor area spilling out to the road, which is ideal if you want to sit outside or if you are travelling with a pooch. The square scones are cake-like, a bit crumbly and sprinkled with icing sugar. They are fresh and light, but feel more like Australiana scones than the dainty British kind. The yummy apricot jam (a favourite) is a great change from the usual strawberry that’s normally on offer. The cream is double thick, and a blessing.

Scones: 

Jam:

Cream: 

Tea: A basic range of black and herbal teas served in a good-sized pot.

Price: $$

Overall: A hearty spread with plenty of room to spread out.

Location: 20 Malbon St, Bungendore NSW 2621 Ph: 02 6238 1688 cafewoodworks.com.au

Reviewed July 2019