The Shire Cafe

8 Napier St, St Arnaud VIC 3478, Australia
+61 461 411 631
$$$ cafe
(119 Reviews)
Price Range $20–40

Nestled in the serene town of St Arnaud, The Shire Cafe is a charming haven for food lovers and coffee enthusiasts alike. Housed in a stunning historical building, this cafe offers a warm and inviting atmosphere perfect for unwinding with family and friends—the kind of place where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, beckoning passersby to step inside and enjoy a well-deserved treat.

The menu boasts a delightful range of options to satisfy both breakfast and lunch cravings. For breakfast, you can feast on the indulgent Homemade Pancakes (A$20.00), renowned for their fluffy texture and complimentary toppings, or savor the classic Eggs Benny (A$20.00) that perfectly melds savory and creamy. If you prefer something lighter, the Granola (A$15.00) offers a refreshing, wholesome start to your day.

As lunchtime rolls around, don’t miss out on the Chicken Deluxe Burger (A$20.00)—a juicy delight that bursts with flavor in every bite. Alternatively, the expertly prepared Fish and Chips (A$22.00) is a must-try; golden and crispy with a side of tangy tartar sauce, it’s comfort food at its finest. The Salt & Pepper Calamari (A$20.00) is another local favorite, delivering a satisfying crunch that’s paired beautifully with a zesty dipping sauce.

Guests at The Shire Cafe often rave about the cozy and relaxed vibe, as highlighted in customer reviews. For instance, Jo-Anne Leigh notes the cafe's beautiful old-world charm paired with warm hospitality, perfect for a winter retreat. While some customers, like Patrick Silveira, have praised the outstanding service, mentioning a staff member with a snake tattoo who “made their day” with vibrant customer service.

Caroline Swinburne describes The Shire Cafe as a gem, indicating it’s a spot that could compete with even well-known urban cafes. Patrons appreciate not only the delicious food but also the accommodating menu that caters to various dietary needs—proving that The Shire is genuinely about heartfelt service and inclusivity.

While savoring your meal, take a moment to admire the architectural beauty of the building, which reflects the rich history of St Arnaud. With plenty of seating options and a cozy atmosphere, you'll find it easy to relax and enjoy your dining experience. Whether you're a local or simply passing through, The Shire Cafe promises to be a delightful stop on your journey.

For anyone in the area, The Shire Cafe isn’t just a place to eat; it’s a destination brimming with charm, flavor, and community spirit. Be sure to visit and see why this cafe has become a beloved gathering spot for so many!

From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Outdoor seating
Kerbside pickup
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Healthy options
Prepared foods
Quick bite
Small plates
Spirits
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine
Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Catering
Dessert
Seating
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Historic
Crowd
Family friendly
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

06:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Tuesday

06:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Wednesday

06:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Thursday

06:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Friday

06:00 AM - 03:00 PM

Saturday

08:00 AM - 02:00 PM

Sunday

08:00 AM - 02:00 PM

119 Reviews
Luke

02 Oct 2025

Great cafe in St Arnaud. Lots of seating inside, nice to see an old historical building be put to a public use for everyone to enjoy the architecture. Meals were good, reasonably priced for a lunch. I would go back again :)

Jo-Anne Leigh

20 Sep 2025

Gorgeous old building, nice n warm for the middle of winter. Eggs benedict and scrambled eggs with 2 coffees. Both meals lovely, medium sized portion but the price reflected this, so all hood. Coffees need work. A little weak and a little bitter. Service lovely. Price appropriate

Patrick Silveira

18 Aug 2025

Great service, especially early on a Sunday morning. Ask for the lady with the snake tattoo, she served us and she’s awesome with great great customer service skills. The homemade pancakes were delicious, as were the veggie and meat sausage rolls. The coffee was excellent too. Clean toilets, and plenty of on street parking available.

Robert OCallaghan

03 Aug 2025

Even though we didn't stay in the main Motel, we stayed in the Unit's 300+ metres down the road. The rooms were great, as was the shower temperature and pressure. All facilities in the room were in very good condition. They even supplied biscuits, which is a great sign of a good motel.

Caroline Swinburne

02 Aug 2025

What an absolute gem! This cafe wouldn’t be out of place in any major city. The food is excellent, caters to different dietary requirements and plenty of comfy seating. I wish this was my local!

Luca Weller

27 Jul 2025

Stopped for breakfast on our way to Adelaide and were greeted with a beautiful selection of gluten free/vegan options that suited us perfectly. Pancakes and eggs were great, service was kind a lovely. And of course had to stock pile on sweet treats for the long drive

Shane Ellis

24 Jun 2025

Nice Cafe in the old Hall love the styling and the set out, staff were very friendly and helpfull. Had the big breakfast and couldn’t fault anything on the plate the Mushrooms were the stand out for me, cooked perfectly. Partner had the pancakes also they were very nice, if we were to be fussy could have been cooked slightly longer only due to them be thick and fluffy so it would be hard to judge. Coffee and Hot chocolate was also fantastic. If you going through St Arnaud definitely drop in.

Ian Holden

20 Jun 2025

Absolute gem of a place to stop for lunch. The food is beautiful, service is top notch and it is nice and cool inside. Make sure to try the wagon wheel slice, it’s perfect.

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