Penny Whistlers image

Penny Whistlers

Restaurant Cafe Bar Coffee shop Breakfast restaurant Diner Cocktail bar Coffee roasters Vegetarian cafe and deli Australian restaurant

One of the Most Revieweds in Kiama


Address

5/31 Shoalhaven St, Kiama NSW 2533, Australia

Website

pennywhistlers.com.au

Contact

+61 2 4233 2770

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.30 (1.2K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 7 am to 10 pm
  • Sunday: (Christmas Eve), 7 am to 3 pm, Hours might differ
  • Monday: (Christmas Day), 7 am to 3 pm, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: (Boxing Day), 7 am to 3 pm, Hours might differ
  • Wednesday: 7 am to 3 pm
  • Thursday: 7 am to 10 pm
  • Friday: 7 am to 10 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: service (13) coffee (12) view (11) table (10) busy (10) nice (9) told (9) great (9) cafe (8) leave (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 Mika Y. 2 years ago on Google
    Went there on 17Apr2022. They have nice view, but I’d avoid it. Here is why: Food. They were average, I wouldn’t say terrible but definitely not worth the price; the egg white omelette looks good but barely had any taste. The chilli sauce and egg & avo don’t go well together. Coffee was a bit burnt. Service. This is the reason why I gave a 1 star, in fact I’d give a 0 if I could. 1) We went in and was told that all tables inside were booked out (while the cafe was almost empty) and customers will arrive within next 15 mins, a short brown hair waitress told us that they always keep outdoor tables for walk-ins and we are welcome to wait for a table outside. There were 6 of us but we only saw a 2 sitter table available outside, so we thought we’d order takeaway for now, and if no other table becomes available we’ll just eat by the beach; if any table becomes available we’ll just eat in. 2) while we waited for our food (which took around 40-50mins or so) we saw a 4 sitter table became available, so we sat down and planned to eat our food quickly on the table as we needed to leave soon for other plans. But then the same waitress came and told us that the outside tables have to be given to people on the waitlist, and asked us to leave. We questioned why we were told initially that the table outside are for walk-ins and no one showed or told us about the waitlist. 3) A guy who seems to be the manager/owner came and told us that there’s always been a waitlist for tables outside, and also we ordered takeaway food so we have to leave. We found it bizarre as we saw 2 customers ware eating from their takeaway boxes on a table next to us. As we explained this to him, he then threatened to call the police if we don’t leave. We feel that we aren’t fairly treated due to: 1) we are told that the outside tables are for walk-ins but when we eventually got a table we were told to leave by staff with rude attitudes and no valid explanation. 2) we weren’t made aware of the waitlist - I have reasons to believe the guy just made that up because he for some reason didn’t want us sitting there (maybe because we are Asian?) 3) we were actually in a rush and wanted to leave quickly too, and we told him that once we get our food, we’ll eat ASAP and leave within minutes, but he still insisted that we have to give away our tables. The fact is - they made a mistake in communication. We were happy compromise, eat & leave ASAP to help them sit other customers faster but they didn’t care about our feeling but insisted to kick us out immediately. 4) instead of communicating in a civilised & solution-seeking manner, he very quickly threw the “call the police” threat to us. This could’ve been resolved so much better, the whole team at this cafe need to upgrade their customer service skill. Also - from when we walked in to when we walked out ( 1hour +) there’s been almost no one walked in with reservation, by the time we left it was still half empty inside - I can’t help but think that “customers will arrive within 15 mins” was also made up. Whole experience is so bad, it ruined our day. I don’t think I’ll ever go back.
    18 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Steven M. 2 years ago on Google
    For the last 7 years we have celebrated New Years Eve Eve, most of these celebrations have been at the Opera Kitchen in Sydney, due to COVID we decided to head south this year. What a great choice, the setting was wonderful, fantastic food and service, and the view from those large open windows is spectacular. The staff made us feel very welcome. We will be back soon.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Niall B. 1 year ago on Google
    Excellent coffee and great food. Best latte and flat white I’ve had in a while. The food was delicious, I’d recommend the corn and capsicum fritters. Location is great but it’s busy at the weekend so it’s worth booking ahead of time.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rhojan V. 1 year ago on Google
    I mean, look at that view! Come here on a sunny day like this one and it's well worth the wait. The Eggs Benedict was exactly what I wanted. I do find when the place gets busy, you can really feel the service start to slow down quite a bit. Regardless, this is a perfect place to have brunch or lunch while in Kiama.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Yvette H. 9 months ago on Google
    If you're on the lookout for a charming restaurant that offers water views, healthy dishes, and top-notch service, This is the place to be. Tucked away along the waterfront, this hidden gem has something to satisfy both nature enthusiasts and food lovers. Upon entering, you'll be greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere, complemented by large windows that showcase the ocean and harbour. Whether you choose to sit inside or enjoy the outdoor area, you'll have a sense of peace and serenity.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nushrat J. 10 months ago on Google
    I just loved the dessert, and coffee was just perfectly made by their beautiful barista. The place was so busy, but two girls just handled everything perfectly. I was so overwhelmed by their service. Its coffee just refreshed me after a 12 hrs shift , and I just enjoyed my weekend dining in pennywhistlers . There were two adorable girls . 🥰🥰Their service was just wonderful, I would love to be back to the cafe just because of their behaviour and customer service, its better than Diggies without any doubt. I just loved their food and service, I definitely recommend it . ❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Gregory L. 8 months ago on Google
    We came here for breakfast. The views were stunning. The menu had several elaborate offerings when I was seeking something simpler but nicely cooked. I ended up with hotcakes which were nice. The coffee was excellent.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Enyi 1 year ago on Google
    Very refreshing dining area with clear view of the water front. Prawn fettuccine has extraordinary flavor. Highly recommend! Hot choc is delicious too. The scotch steak came with fresh steamed veggies. Meat itself is ok for the cut. Garlic & dijon butter on top did not quite work imo. Prefer the more traditional kind of sauces on meat. Btw s&p squid is nice as well as chai latte!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Eliza P. 1 year ago on Google
    Polite yet not that friendly staff, a smile would go a long way. Very nice view and decent seats. Nice atmosphere inside but basic stools out the front for seating. Enjoyed the burger and chips but the pumpkin on the salad was bad quality and stringy. Nice homemade iced tea.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Krystal P. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing spot for brunch or dinner, we all loved the food and the coffee was absolutely amazing too! Compliments to all of the fantastic staff, we will definitely be back again!! 😊
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Meth H. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice small cafe/restaurant in heart of Kiama. Great location. The food is good and the coffee is delicious. We enjoyed the breakfast/lunch menu. This place is busy on weekends and need to find a parking nearby so plan accordingly. Definitely recommended. We will be back here again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Marama P. 4 months ago on Google
    Great service, friendly and very accommodating! Atmosphere was too class, we loved the music. Food was amazing, I had the steak sandwich, probably the best I’ve ever had. Everything else was great as well. Thank you Penny Whistlers!

  • 5/5 B C. 6 months ago on Google
    Best steak sandwich OF MY LIFE! And that says a lot because if it's on the menu, I'm ordering it! It was an open sandwich, bread was thick, toasted but still soft enough to not break your teeth so very enjoyable. The scotch fillet was perfectly cooked and the Chimmichurri sauce was divine on it. It's definitely one to remember and I highly recommend it!! The place was packed which is standard for Kiama but we got a nice corner seat inside by the Jazz painting which I preferred. It was a bit loud which again is standard for a busy Cafe but otherwise everything was perfect! It was a lovely last brunch date in Kiama before we moved interstate. Hope to go back and see what they've got to offer, would definitely go again any time!

  • 4/5 Mariam N. 7 months ago on Google
    Food here is delicious! We had the fish & chips and the fish tacos. The service was not the best but food makes it worth visiting.

  • 5/5 Naomi D. 5 months ago on Google
    Delicious breakfast with a perfect view! Worth making a reservation as it's usually packed (especially when weather is as good as it is....) OK range of dietary requirements (e.g. any bread based choices can be made gluten free). Yummy pot of chai masala tea. The date and apricot loaf can be bought to re enjoyed at home. Great place for locals but also to bring tourists-best view in town!

  • 4/5 Joel C. 5 months ago on Google
    This café with a view of the ocean is a real gem. We dropped by during a weekday lunch hour, and despite the place being 80% full, there were only two waitresses handling the crowd. We had a short wait to be seated and to place our order. The coffee was pretty standard unlike Melbourne. But when it came to the food, the egg benedict was truly amazing, and the hashbrowns were exceptionally good. The only downside was that the coating on the fish was a bit soggy. What's great is that the prices were reasonable, especially considering the spectacular view you get.

  • 1/5 Camille 6 months ago on Google
    Horrible experience! We have 5 people but only offered a tiny round table. The waiting time is too long, we ordered 5 dishes but we waited nearly 1 hour and there weren’t many customers atm. I don’t understand I spent nearly $200 for such ridiculous cx service! Never come again, not worth it, strongly feel not welcomed. Horrible services and disgusting coffee! I’m not being aggressive, but I don’t understand why granola with milk would take more than an hour to make!

  • 5/5 Crys M. 11 months ago on Google
    Delicious lunch in a beautiful sunny cafe near the water with beautiful views. The variety is great and they cater for gluten free. Very relaxing and a favourite when visiting Kiama

  • 5/5 chantelle w. 10 months ago on Google
    Gorgeous spot with great food! Got to see whales while eating breaky. Service could be a little faster but it was incredibly busy when I was there plus I was pretty hungry

  • 5/5 Shima 9 months ago on Google
    The breakfast and coffee were top-notch, and the staff were so friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere, complemented by the beautiful ocean view, added a special charm to our visit. Overall, our time here was thoroughly enjoyable, and we're already looking forward to returning during our future visit to Kiama.

  • 4/5 Nicki T. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely food, gorgeous view. They get busy so best to book. Would happily go back to try their lunchtime menu.

  • 5/5 Garrick F. 1 year ago on Google
    Great spot for breakfast and coffee! Awesome views over the harbour. Breakfast was perfect both days, friendly staff and the coffee was on point 🙌 I definitely recommend, make sure you book to avoid disappointment as it’s a very popular place on the weekends!

  • 4/5 Ken A. 1 year ago on Google
    A popular and busy Cafe, slightly small, however, good size alfresco dining outside. We'll set out, clean, tidy and great staff. Can get a little noisy inside and can be annoying when chairs are dragged on the wooden floors. Good varied menu with ample portions and regular cafe pricing. Lovely Eggs Benny served on a brioche style bread, well presented and yummy. Great coffee, shakes and smoothies also. May be worthwhile making a booking as it gets very busy during the day. 👍

  • 3/5 Emma K. 2 years ago on Google
    They were really nice about squeezing us in at a busy time period. The food was nice but the drinks were just a lil expensive. It was very noisy when we went (sunday morning).

  • 4/5 Angela W. 2 years ago on Google
    A nice cafe in Kiama next to the water. The dishes were quite creative, the egg white omelette was nice but a bit mild in flavour… Customer service was good!

  • 5/5 Annalisa B. 1 year ago on Google
    Coastal gem! Thank goodness I searched up best places to eat in Kiama before heading down south to this cute coastal suburb and Penny Whistlers came up best. Do yourself a favour and order The Tostada Bowl ... guaranteed to be a party in your mouth. Despite three large groups of people in the cafe, they accommodated three of us extremely well, timely with great customer service. Going back for sure!


Call +61 2 4233 2770 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Free of charge street parking
    • ✓️ Somewhat difficult to find a space
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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