A soundtrack of frothing coffee, eclectic 80s rock and contemporary techno meet you as you walk through its namesake red door, with local artists’ work adorning the lining-board walls, hanging plants and a blackboard sporting daily specials. The food, just as good as the coffee, includes dishes like beef and grilled capsicum quesadillas, with tomato salad and hibiscus mayonnaise, hearty (locally made) Tuscan sausages with gravy and mash potato, as well as a delicious vegetarian lentil burger with satay peanut sauce.

A cosy space, the Blue Mist Cafe has booths on the ground floor and a lounge suite on the upper level, where you’ll also find a second-hand bookshop; perfect for reading and relaxing as you enjoy pancakes, pot pie or a breakfast smoothie. There’s a lot to choose from in the food and drinks stakes here, but don’t skip the Snickers thickshake (order it extra thick) – it tastes like dreams.

With a large collection of handmade chocolates and desserts, there is no shortage of snacking options to complement your coffee. Arguably the best cappuccino in the Blue Mountains, potentially because of the quality chocolate Rust and Timber use for dusting your froth, this is a must-try for anyone visiting the area.

With exceptional staff, and equally good coffee, Wisteria Place is the perfect spot to reconvene after a big day of exploring.

Dbl Ristretto also offers an alternative to the often hearty and heavy mountains food, with healthy options throughout its food and drink menu. The drinks include fresh juices and turmeric lattes, whilst food options include raw desserts and, my favourite, the mushroom, parmesan, rocket and pesto toasted sandwich on sourdough.

Zac travels to South America to source the best coffee beans to bring back and roast (at a dedicated roastery) before delighting our noses and tastebuds. Cassiopeia also distributes its coffee beans to other cafes, in both the Blue Mountains and beyond.

The Laneway is one of many cafes that uses the delightful Cassiopeia coffee beans, meaning that its coffee is always delicious. To pair with its coffee, you can order a gourmet toasted sandwich. Fillings change seasonally and current favourites are the egg, bacon and American cheese toastie, the pulled pork toastie and the croque monsieur (with the cafe’s famous gold mustard sauce). Owned by the local Murphy family, you can expect that after a few visits your coffee order will be remembered, and nothing more than ‘the usual please’ is necessary.

Coffee is a must when visiting this cafe, but if you are feeling peckish, try the BLAT on Turkish bread, the twice-fried wedges with aioli or the gooey homemade brownie. You won’t be disappointed. Butternut also offers pancakes of the day, which have included brownie pancakes, banana pancakes and maple bacon pancakes.

Undoubtedly some of the best coffee on the mountain, Anonymous is a must-stop on your way to the Megalong Valley.Its food menu is comprehensive, and dishes include all-day breakfasts like brioche French toast with seasonal poached fruit; and scrambled eggs with sourdough and house-made relish. My top tip? Grab a coffee to go, and a takeaway pie from the bakery two shops up – which uses local, organic meat from the butcher up the road – and head to nearby Evans Lookout to enjoy your bounty with some glorious views.