Salty Crew Kiosk
Sun, Sand, Surf & Coffee
Everyone needs time to chill and when you throw in the beach, a beautiful healthy meal and coffee, who can possibly resist?
I love coffee. Actually, scratch that. I love good coffee and when you throw in a breathtaking sunrise, dolphins and the mesmerising rhythmic crash of the waves, I’m in heaven. And my newest find, on the trail for the world’s best caffeine hit, has led me here – Salty Crew Kiosk on Port Macquarie’s Town Beach.
Now, I could pretend that I am one of the multitude of walkers and joggers, making their way along Port’s famous Doctor’s Walk, starting my day with a quick 5kms and a damn good coffee, but I’m not. Skip straight to the damn good coffee please and pair it with one of Salty Crew’s naturally delicious quick bites and that’s me taken care of.
And that was the aim. From the first discussions that Port Macquarie originals, Leasa and Chris Harris had with each other, their vision of the revamped Town Beach Kiosk has come to fruition.
“We wanted to bring the community together at Town Beach and provide a beautiful place where people could socialise and connect,” says Leasa. “We wanted to design a place where you could bring the dog and bring the family. As a new mum myself, that was really important.”
And, as I arrive at Salty Crew for a weekend lunchtime treat, it’s obvious that Leasa and Chris have really hit the mark.
A handful of mothers settle on the edge of the giant timber steps, their children collecting all sorts of goodies from the white sand. With Salty Crew Kiosk literally sitting on Town Beach, it’s easy to see why the café has such appeal. No traffic, no manic morning rush, just the wide natural playground which the kids take to immediately, under the watchful eyes of their mums. It’s great to see children collecting shells and chasing crabs instead of being glued to a grown-up’s iPhone or iPad. The little ones make who knows what out of driftwood and cuttlefish, all while their mums, coffee in hand, actually get a chance to catch up with one another.
To my left is a couple with their two labradoodles, fur salty and sprinkled with sand. After a play at Nobby’s, the local dog beach, I can’t imagine a better spot to take two exhausted pooches. The dogs rest lazily under the table while their humans make their way through smooth Clandestino lattes and a brekkie of chia pudding for one and smashed avo for the other.
Whether it be a hot cuppa, selected from the range of traditional and herbal teas or one of Salty Crew’s chilled smoothies, the vibe is the same. Stop, relax and just take it all in.
Breakfast by the beach or a quick healthy lunch option with million-dollar views to match, Salty Crew uses beautiful, seasonal produce that is locally sourced wherever possible. A mix of acai bowls, fresh salads, tacos or raw desserts, the simple yet tasty options that Leasa and Chris choose for their menus, cater for everyone.
Leasa says, “I have a strong passion for healthy food that’s delicious and not boring. We like to show people that you can have healthy food that still tastes great. We’re so pleased that our community have really embraced that too.”
I grab a cushion from a well-loved cane basket and take my coffee and first ever Poke Bowl, complete with fresh salad and smoked salmon and plant myself on the beautifully weather-worn timber steps to enjoy the uninterrupted view across stunning Town Beach.
Everything about this place forces you to stop and take a breath. You can’t help but feel relaxed, and in the busyness of life, places like this are hard to come by and I’m not sure I’ll ever leave…
Foodie images provided by Salty Crew are from Sharni Tait Photography
Salty Crew Kiosk is located at Town Beach Reserve
William Street, Port Macquarie