Blak Cede Gunyah — Restaurant in Nowra

Blak Cede gives you a reason to stop hoping for a Nowra bypass. It’s a purposeful cafe, a social and cultural enterprise led by Indigenous women, with a mission to cultivate and use traditional bush foods. These values carry through to everything you’ll find in the space, from decor to art, to the items they have chosen to stock and to serve. Invitations to learn more are everywhere, from menu explanations of their provenance (read why they don’t stock beef), to QR codes on the table, to a boutique collection of books that invite you to explore your white fragility.

More than just a right-on place to drop some coin and contribute to improving the lives of Koori women, Blak Cede is also an excellent place to eat. Their fluffy strawberry gum scones ($10) served with fresh berries, tangy native jam and whipped cream, leave many of Sydney’s fancy high teas for dead. The giant roo tacos ($22) showcase slow-cooked pulled kangaroo for the lean and tasty protein it can be in the right hands. Both the tacos and the lemon myrtle calamari ($15) arrive with a cornucopia of greens plucked fresh from the Kareela Ngura community gardens on the edge of the Shoalhaven river.

From the drinks fridge, the emphasis on healthy communities is evident in the absence of sugar-heavy soft drinks. The Native Botanical Brewery lemon myrtle ginger beer ($7) is so good I bought two more to take away, and tried to order a case for home use. Yaru sparking water ($4) is flavoured with just enough Kakadu plum to make it both refreshing and interesting. From the small shop there are also products you can purchase for home, from coffee beans to fingerlime marmalade to citrus salt. Every single staff member spoke to me while I was dining: it really made me feel welcome...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Blak Cede — A Home Away From Home

Walking into Blak Cede felt like walking straight into a warm hug. From the moment I stepped through the door, I was welcomed with the kindest smiles and the most genuine hospitality. The staff don’t just serve you — they see you. They treat every customer like family, with so much love, respect, and care that you instantly feel at ease.

The atmosphere is equally incredible — cozy, calm, and full of soul. Whether you’re there to catch up with friends, unwind with a book, or just treat yourself, the space wraps around you like a comfort blanket. It’s rare to find a place that feels this authentic and peaceful.

And the food… Oh my goodness. I have never tasted food as amazing as what they serve at Blak Cede. Every single dish is a work of art — bursting with flavor, beautifully presented, and clearly made with so much heart. You can tell they put passion into every ingredient. From the first bite to the last, I was completely blown away. It’s honestly some of the best food I’ve ever had in my life.

Blak Cede isn’t just a café — it’s an experience. It’s a place that fills your heart as much as your stomach. When I left, I felt uplifted, full of joy, and already counting the days until I could come back. If you haven’t visited Blak Cede yet, do yourself a favor — go. You’ll leave feeling...

Blak Cede is an Aboriginal women-led social and cultural enterprise which cultivates traditional bush foods from their community garden to produce high quality products.

It’s a fantastic initiative and the bonus for foodies is that the result is amazing food and coffee with a bush tucker twist that makes the whole experience five stars!

And the social enterprise of this cafe doesn’t mean it lacks refinement. The fit out, décor and atmosphere are sleek but warm and earthy. The service is friendly and efficient. Even the plates, cups and flat wear are all high quality and memorable.

The coffee is expertly crafted into however you take it and it’s made from locally sourced and deadly beans!

The food is both amazing and great value. I had the smashed avo and it was a mountain of food packed with flavour and little native twists like the Koori dukkah and picked pigface.

There are other interesting variations to the usual breakfast suspects and I am excited to come back to work my way through the menu. There are also daily specials which you should definitely check out.

All in all a great initiative and a great place to eat! It’s my new Nowra...