The Mossy Cafés are three iconic establishments situated along the South Coast in three separate locations. These include the original Mossy on Pacific at Mossy Point, the Mossy on Gardens at the Eurobdalla Regional Botanical Gardens and The Mossy on Train Street in Broulee. The proud owner of The Mossy Cafés, Belinda, expresses that each Mossy café has a slightly different flair to it and each has something slightly different to offer.
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The Mossy on Pacific
The Mossy (and previous versions of the Mossy) have been around for over 80 years and evoke a sense of nostalgia in many people who have a personal connection to the place and beautiful childhood memories.
The Mossy on Pacific is set in a beautiful heritage listed building surrounded by gorgeous gardens only a stones throw away from the tranquil Tomago River and surrounding beaches. Mossy Point itself is a tiny seaside village that makes you feel a million miles away, while still offering great attractions and everything you could possibly need on a family holiday or romantic getaway. The food and coffee at The Mossy are not what you would get at a typical café. Belinda explains that they have definitely stepped things up a notch or two, offering dishes that you might expect to find at a restaurant rather than a seaside café. The team at Mossy use local suppliers as much as possible and have a great relationship with ‘Guerrilla Roasters’, who are just as invested in good quality coffee as they are.
The Mossy on Gardens
The Mossy on Gardens, on the other hand, is very unique due to its tranquil and stunning surrounds. It is nestled within the beautiful Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens, which, in Belinda’s view, is one of the “best kept secrets in the shire”. The building that the café is situated in is also very special and, thankfully, was one of the structures spared in the 2019 bushfires.
The café has a panoramic patio that allows you to enjoy the beautiful views and birdlife that is so abundant at the Gardens. The Gardens has a slightly more formal feel to it in comparison to the other two Mossy establishments and the menu is tailored to reflect this.
The Mossy on Train
Last but not least, The Mossy on Train boasts an informal, modern vibe and has been designed with the locals in mind who frequent the little grab and go café on a regular basis. The Mossy on Train is designed for the busy worker and parents who need a quick coffee or bite to eat.
There’s a small amount of seating for those who want to sit and mingle at the large communal table that’s designed to allow strangers and friends to come together for a chat over a coffee. It’s also a great place to work through your inbox in between meetings. With the free wifi and free flowing coffee, why wouldn’t you make Train Street one of your regular pittstops?
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Taking over The Mossy and Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs in the Café Business
When Belinda bought the Mossy, she admits that she had absolutely no idea what she was doing. She had never worked in hospitality before and never intended to start until a friend asked her if she would be interested in going halves on the little local café up the road from him. At the time, Belinda was living in Canberra and running her own pet care business. She explains that her original plan was to spend six months helping set up the café and then return to Canberra with the view of providing input into the menu and strategic direction of the business. “How naïve was I!” She recalls; “A business like The Mossy, especially in the early days, very much requires daily hands-on involvement.”
It was a very steep learning curve for Belinda and one that had her seeking out formal training at the local Tafe to train as a qualified chef. She originally had no intention of working in the kitchen, but what was somewhat forced out of necessity actually resulted in finding her true passion and calling.
Despite the initial fear, Belinda recalls pushing herself to learn as much as possible, doing 100-hour weeks, and “loving every minute of the baptism by fire.” Two years in, Belinda bought her business partner out and has been the sole owner of The Mossy for the past five or so years. She is now a lot less ‘hands on’ in the business and has built up a great team around her which is led by her general manager Dean White.
Belinda’s Top Three ‘Must Try’ Menu items
For anyone trying The Mossy on Pacific for the first time, Belinda would recommend the Seoul Bowl, which is a bit like a Korean Bibimbap but with a few little Mossy tweaks.
At Mossy on Gardens, she would recommend the Lamb Kofta, a Middle Eastern inspired dish which people have raved about.
As for The Mossy on Train, one should not visit without trying their infamous ‘Brekky Melt’. “Think thick cut Turkish bread with house made relish, egg, bacon and cheese, it’s definitely got a local cult following.”
Catering options and Events at The Mossy
One of the fairly recent strings that they have added to their bow is catering, events and room hire. The Mossy is now offering a great selection of catering that will have guests smiling ear to ear no matter the occasion. From corporate functions to birthdays, baby showers, weddings and more. Belinda explains that they have also started offering small events such as Paint ’n’ sip and host a local knitting club who get together on a monthly basis. The Mossy on Pacific also offers its’ indoor dining space for hire, which is a great, affordable option for people wanting to host events without the work that comes with cleaning up afterwards.
Mossy on Pacific: Not Just a Café but a Well-Rounded Tourist Destination
Mossy on Pacific is nestled within one of the most charming little seaside villages on the South Coast and is surrounded by stunning national parks and some of the best beaches on the coast. Belinda describes it as “a truly serene, picturesque, and magical place that makes you feel far away from the hustle and bustle”.
There is also plenty to do within the area and everything you could ever need is just a short walk or drive away. There’s the famous Mogo Wildlife Park, the newly established Broulee Brewhouse and The Oak’s Ranch, which offers top-notch accommodation and a world class wedding venue.
There’s also Mogo Town a short drive away which has a great selection of boutique shops and also a gin distillery currently nearing completion just behind the Mogo Wildlife Park. “There’s just so much to see and do, but also so much opportunity to do nothing. You really get the best of both worlds.”
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