This place is a work of love. Hidden away on the Sandspit Rd just seven km from Warkworth, the Parsley Pot Cafe offers wholesome food (including plenty of gluten-free options) at reasonable prices with an ambience all of its own. Almost everything here speaks of life’s simple pleasures – from the morning’s homemade muffins, hash browns and delicious chowder, to the warm internal decor, the big backyard vegie garden and the oyster-shelled paths (don’t worry, they’re blunt) that weave through the gardens surrounding the cosy domed cafe. Keep an eye out for the occasional burger nights, when the whole place hums with live music on Grandma’s grand piano. As a former Lonely Planet author, I know the goods things in life – and the Parsley Pot is one of them.