Inner Light Tea Rooms

This restaurant has beautiful views of Nelson Bay but unfortunately that’s all it has. The manager of the restaurant is quite clearly racist. My family and I requested a table during lunch and the place was visibly not busy. She came up with 4-5 different excuses about why would she leave the restaurant before reluctantly allowing us to dine there. The food is below average along with their service. I wouldn’t recommend this restaurant to anyone and particularly if you’re a person of colour.

17/01/2024 - Amazing view and scenery but unfortunately that’s where it ends.

$94.81 for:
- smoked salmon bagel
- 3 x orange juices
- 1 x oat vanilla latte (>$7)
- 2 x scrambled eggs (1 piece of toast)

CAUTION: very aggressive magpies that linger close and will jump at your food. If you do not make a booking you will be seated wherever available. Avoid being seated near the frangipani tree at all costs.

Love coming here. Best view and friendly staff.
Recommend the scones with cream and jam. Coffee is always.
Food looks amazing but haven't tried it.watch out for birds make sure you grab a spray bottle.or you'll end up sharing your treats.

The location was stunning, worth a visit. The food was okay, and the menu was not extensive to choose from. The chicken sandwich was fine, but the chicken toastie was a bit sickly, too much going on. The scones look enormous, too much for a small eater, I am told they are great. You must pre-book. Otherwise, you will not get a table.
Parking could be difficult in high season, but you can walk up. This could prove difficult for anyone in a wheelchair.

Besides the birds (you’ll know what I mean when you get here), this is the most perfect spot to dine. Absolutely breathtaking views and such tranquil energy. An absolute must come-to when visiting Nelson Bay. Jade the waitress provided stellar service. Very friendly and professional. She went out of her way to put umbrellas up to shade our sleeping toddler from the sun and gave us water bottles to spray the hungry birds who were ready to pounce at any opportunity. Only negative feedback would be to the kitchen staff; more butter on the sandwiches please, or mayo. They were too dry. Thanks!

Breakfast was delicious eggs Benedict with ham and also chilli scrambled. Coffee was delicious and views are amazing. The ladies were great to banter with to which was awesome. Thanks ladies.

Had a wonderful breakfast with my family during our short trip to Nelson Bay. Everything is wonderful from the food quality, service and the view from the restaurant is fabulous. Great recommendations for couples or family. Except for there are many birds so had to be aware of them snatching the food the rest is amazing.

Disappointing.
Sour greeting on arrival as we didn't have a booking but they reluctantly squeezed us in.
Food was ordinary.
View magnificent but won't go back.

Great view and vibe to have a breakfast and coffee here. Great panoramic view of the Port Stephens! Staff are friendly when you are seated and can order at the counter. Food is decent but don't over expect fancy dishes. Simple but a little pricey, it's the view and services you're paying for.

Its quite a tourist attraction. Book ahead if you don't want to wait or get rejected.

Love this place. Visit every time we are at Port Stephens. View is as good as the food. Scones are huge and coffee and Spiders are the best. A+ from me,

Food is good, service is quick and efficient. Great view from the outdoor eating area. Only difficulty is parking in busy holiday times.

We drove over an hour to come to this cafe. When we arrived we were promptly told we had to book. I could see many tables that were unoccupied, so my friend and I could have sat somewhere to eat without taking too much time. Very disappointed. The view is magnificent, but you don't have to eat there to see it.

The food was fine - one out of the three meals we ordered was very good, the others were overpriced and very average sandwich-type orders. The scones were dry. The coffee was excellent. The service is hilariously small-town rude (they all seemed in a right flap over the place being half-full). So, patchy at best - but the view is spectacular!

Got a magnificent view of Nelson bay from here.we were actually here on Valentine's Day. And it was such a great experience. Food was yummy, I would highly recommend the burger and sandwiches with their delicious coffee. This place undoubtedly has the best view in Nelson bay.

Very good passionfruit cheesecake, friendly staff and fascinating museum. Excellent viewing platform

This is overrated Cafe. Food is very average. Actually they are much better Cafe outside and much cheaper.

Very rude staff and only good thing is the location where they don't have contribution to it.

View is great, food and customer service is trash.
Cold cheap circle ham NO BACON. Food small and slapped together, not to mention cheap ingredients.
Straight out of Woolworths and straight onto plate.
Not willing to cook scrambled eggs without chilli.
Lady server was absolutely the rudest.
Will never return and will be telling all friends and family not to waste their money either.

We had Goat cheese-Onion Quiche and Burger with Poach Egg, Egg Bennedicts (picture as attached)
Food are Fresh and Yum as always!

We loved the menu - Don't change anything.

Not to mention the spectacular View - Don't forget to Visit the Museum after your meal!

We’ve been coming to the Inner Light Tea Rooms for about 25 years and it is now a ritual for us. The food is good and well priced, the views are nice and there is some history and an educational aspect to the place which I enjoy too. Recommend to include in your itinerary if you are up there. Ps we always have the scones! Tradition!

My husband and I have come here over many years and the last visit was an unpleasant one. The wait staff were rude and overbearing, talking in a condescending manner. Management need to remind staff the importance of customer service ASAP, as other recent reviews have stated the same issues. On the plus side, the coffee was very nice and as alway's the views are fantastic. One last thing, we much preferred the sliced "carrot cake" that you previously sold. This new muffin styled one is not the same tasting experience and for $9.00 - really!