The Cunning Culinarian

245 High St, Maitland NSW 2320, Australia
+61 477 773 150
$$$ Cafe
(185 Reviews)
Price Range $20–40

Welcome to The Cunning Culinarian, a delightful café nestled in the heart of Maitland, NSW. Located at 245 High St, this charming café is a true gem for food lovers seeking a remarkable dining experience. With its whimsical decor and inviting atmosphere, it’s a perfect spot for breakfast, brunch, or a leisurely lunch.

The culinary delights here are a testament to the café’s commitment to freshness and flavor. The menu boasts an array of tantalizing options that cater to both traditional and health-conscious diners. Start your day with the Ultimate Brekky Roll featuring herbed eggs, crunchy streaky bacon, creamy avocado, and a drizzle of smoked honey aioli that tickles the taste buds. For a denser yet irresistible choice, the Corn & Feta Fritters are a must-try, perfectly paired with maple bacon and a dollop of sour cream, served alongside a refreshing house-dressed salad.

The café also offers a delicious range of lighter options, such as the Paleo GF Granola Bowl, beautifully presented with fresh fruit and cacao yogurt, making it a vegan favorite. And for those with a sweet tooth, the decadent French toast garnished with parmesan or the scrumptious chocolaty ChocCoconut Overnight Oats topped with nutella and berries will leave you coming back for more.

The ambiance of The Cunning Culinarian is as inviting as its menu. Patrons have praised the vibrant yet cozy environment, with options for indoor dining or a sunlit courtyard at the rear. The modern decor, blended with quirky features, creates a laid-back vibe perfect for gathering with friends or enjoying some ‘me time’. Every table has a welcoming touch, whether you're nestled in a comfy lounge setting indoors or basking in the outdoor garden.

But don't just take my word for it. Customers have raved about their experiences, including Nathanial Wheeler-Hart, who described the café's welcoming atmosphere and delightful food. He highlighted the 'ultimate breakfast burger' and the flavorful 'French toast with parmesan cheese' as standout dishes. Justin Keyte couldn't stop praising the caramel cheesecake after a brisk morning walk, while Joanna L appreciated the exceptional service and spacious layout of the café.

The Cunning Culinarian has made quite an impression among locals and visitors, and it’s easy to see why. Whether you're popping in for value-packed breakfasts that delight the senses or spending leisurely afternoons over coffee and cake, this café promises an exceptional experience that merges good food, great company, and a comforting ambiance.

Next time you're wandering through Maitland, make sure to drop by The Cunning Culinarian and treat yourself to a meal that will tantalize your palate and fill your heart with warmth.

Contact Information:
Phone: +61 477 773 150

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers kerbside pickup
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves coffee
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Historic
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Pets
Dogs allowed
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Tuesday

8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Wednesday

8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Thursday

8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Friday

8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Saturday

8:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Sunday

Closed

185 Reviews
Nathanial Wheeler-Hart

02 Oct 2025

We are so glad we dropped in for lunch after a recommendation from a local friend. Immediately the ambience welcomes you, followed by the perfume from the kitchen. There is a few fab sitting areas to choose from, inside, out the front, and an amazing courtyard out the back. We had an ultimate breakfast burger and the French toast with parmesan cheese. The freshness and flavour profiles were out of this world. Yummy. Yummy. Yummy. The accompanying cocktail and coffee were as good as we've had anywhere in the world. See the photos!

Justin Keyte

01 Oct 2025

Came across this beautiful quirky cafe on our morning walk. Great atmosphere ordered coffee and cake came out very fast. Best caramel cheesecake. Will definitely come back

Cheryl Flett

08 Sep 2025

Charming cafe in heritage building near Art Gallery in Maitland. Small menu with some healthy options available. Mixed fresh salad bowls also available. Almond & Macadamia milk, GF options avail. Indoor dining including comfy lounge setting Charming Outdoor courtyard dining at rear Order at counter, delivered to table. Some parking avail at rear. Toilet facilities Some culinary food items to buy.

Joanna L

05 Sep 2025

All round great experience, service was fantastic, coffee was great and so was the food, easy location and lots of space inside didn't feel cramped

Matthew Purins

02 Sep 2025

Enjoyed breakfast on a weekday morning. Friendly service, great coffee and tasty dishes. We smashed the cinnamon french toast and a bacon and egg roll.

Emma W.

10 Aug 2025

This place is so wonderful. Staff, food, coffee and an array of seating options/areas indoor and outdoor. If you need wonderful coffee, stop in, they will brew your requirements. If you are looking for an experience, go on in, absorb the aesthetics of this charming old building, filled with comfortable nooks and crannies to choose from. It's honestly a vibe, I absolutely love this cafe, they have created a special space here. 10/10

Minoo heidari kani

04 Aug 2025

Fresh and homemade cakes made our morning coffee even more enjoyable. Very cozy and warm cafe with friendly staff. It has a cute little backyard and a carpark at the back. Also, there are fresh bunches of flowers for sale, right behind the entrance door.

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