The Living Room Café

166 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives NSW 2075, Australia
+61 2 9488 8232
$$$ Cafe , Breakfast restaurant , Coffee shop
(270 Reviews)
Price Range $20–40

The Living Room Café in St Ives feels like a natural community hub where locals come to enjoy a laid-back coffee break or a casual meal without fuss. Nestled on Mona Vale Rd, it blends a cosy indoor dining space with a pleasant outdoor area, making it a versatile spot for a morning cappuccino, a weekend brunch, or a relaxed lunch.

The café balances the vibe of a neighbourhood coffee shop with a menu that stretches well into lunch territory. Alongside the reliably good coffee options—like a smooth cappuccino or a soy flat white—there’s a solid range of heartier dishes that locals appreciate for weekday lunches or casual weekend outings. From the Living Room Burger, with its wagyu patty and choice of sauce, to the salmon poke bowl and creative artist lattes, the offerings cover familiar café classics with some unexpected twists.

Expect a steady flow of patrons here, especially during breakfast and lunchtime. The friendly, welcoming staff are known to accommodate last-minute arrivals even close to closing time, which adds to the easy-going atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where you can drop in solo for a quick coffee or settle with friends over burgers, chicken schnitzel, or pasta dishes like the chicken and mushroom risotto.

The interior seating is comfortable, but the outdoor space is a big draw on sunny days—popular with those who want to soak up some local street life while they eat. Portions tend to be generous, and the presence of classic comfort items like bacon and eggs on Turkish bread or a warm Atlantic salmon nicoise salad means you’re unlikely to leave hungry. The inclusion of fresh vegetables with mains feels thoughtful and practical, avoiding the need for extra sides.

Overall, The Living Room Café caters well to a broad crowd: regulars grabbing their morning coffee and a cake, families or groups settling in for lunch, and anyone after a casual spot with reliable service and fresh, straightforward food. Morning or midday visits during the week work smoothly for those who want a calm break without the bustle, while weekends offer a bit more buzz and walking-in traffic.

Highlights
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Good for working on laptop
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves coffee
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Best for
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Thursday

8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Friday

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Sunday

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

270 Reviews
neda dalvi

18 Dec 2025

Arrived in the last few minutes of the kitchen getting closed but staff kindly welcomed us & allowed us time to choose the food. The living Room Burger was amazing. I changed the original BBQ sauce to Aioli sauce & loved it. I’m not a big fan of bacon in burgers but this one was actually pretty tasty. Chips were crunchy & fresh. I would rate it a good 9 out of 10. The chicken boscaiola was also delicious & creamy enough , also full of flavour. I think I’d give this one a 10/10. From the breakfast menu; The Mediterranean breakfast with eggplant was just so perfect, definitely 10/10. The big breakfast however was a bit disappointing & would give it a 6/10. I have been there a few times & will go back.

C W

16 Dec 2025

Great service and good food! The menu is varied so there's something for everyone. I highly recommend this place and there is an outside area too!

Kylie M

29 Nov 2025

Great little place that is always busy. Staff were super friendly and helpful, food came fast and was tasty. I tried the ‘Suezchuan beef ragu pasta’ as it sounded different. It was tasty.

Peter Johnston

04 Nov 2025

The service is fast and the food is good. The coffee is also good but could have been hotter. We asked for it extra hot, but neither of our coffees were very hot. If you order a meal that comes with chips and salad be prepared for lots and LOTS of chips and one half a slice of tomato in the salad. Just too many chips and half of them were thrown out but I would have eaten another half slice of tomato. One of our meals was the fishermans basket which comes with battered and deep fried prawns. As they were battered I was expecting the prawns to be fully peeled, but maybe I was expecting too much. We will probably come back b ut won't make a habit of it.

simon heathcote

12 Oct 2025

Delicious veal scaloppine with chips and veggies and crispy skin barramundi with risotto. Generous serving and great the main meals come with freshly cooked vegetables (like the old days so you don’t have to pay for a separate set). Huge milkshakes like the old days in tall aluminium cup and delicious pink mango smoothie.

Jenny Wong

05 Oct 2025

Love their extensive menu plus their seasonal menu. As a regular seasonal menu is a plus. Coffee quality is consistent and portion is generous, good value. And they support split bill, not every cafe does that in the mall.

Hugo Chan

15 Sep 2025

Given how busy this place generally is on both weekdays and weekends, we thought that this place must be worth trying at least once. Ended up going on a Saturday during peak lunchtime period, and despite a 15 minute-ish wait in line, we ended up being allocated a table somewhat quickly. Albeit a bit pricy, what we ordered was still impressive and filling. The Bangers & Mash was a bit meh, but the 'Grain Fed Scotch Fillet Steak' and Chicken Parmigiana with mushroom sauce extras went down great. Staff are friendly and the drinks are also pretty nice too. Can't really ask for any thing else in a cafe environment!

Anna Chyzhyk

12 Sep 2025

The "Living Room Cafe" in St. Ives, Sydney, is absolutely fantastic! This cozy corner cafe was a delightful discovery for me. The atmosphere is filled with warmth and comfort, creating a feeling of being immersed in the coziness of home. Their coffee is a true masterpiece – aromatic and rich, making it the perfect companion for those who appreciate a genuine coffee experience. The menu impresses with its variety and the quality of dishes. Whether it's breakfast, lunch, or dessert, each item is impeccably crafted. Let's not forget about the service. The cafe staff is charming with their attentiveness and willingness to assist. "Living Room Cafe" is a place where every visitor feels special. Everything in this establishment is designed to make your experience truly unforgettable. I'll be returning again and again!

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