Cafe MONAKA - Mona Vale, Sydney

Cafe MONAKA in Mona Vale offers a charming dining experience that blends Northern Beaches cafe culture with Japanese-inspired aspects of tea, food, and lifestyle products. The cafe’s name, derived from “MONA” for Mona Vale and “KA” for home or family in Japanese, reflects its mission to create a welcoming Japanese home in the heart of the Northern Beaches. One of the highlights of Cafe MONAKA is its traditional Japanese breakfast platter, a rare find in Sydney, featuring rice, fish, omelette, miso soup, natto, and pickled vegetables.
Owner Fuminori Bun Fukuda, also known as Bun, brings his passion for Japanese cuisine and tea to Cafe MONAKA. Growing up in Japan’s Shizuoka prefecture, famous for Mount Fuji and green tea, Bun infuses his menu with authentic Japanese flavors and imported green teas, offering a unique dining experience that appeals to both locals and visitors. Apart from the traditional breakfast platter, Cafe MONAKA’s menu also includes creative takes on popular cafe dishes such as acai bowls, avocado on toast, poke, burgers, and toast, as well as Japanese street food like tonkatsu sandwiches and soba omelettes.

The cafe operates from Monday to Saturday, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, providing breakfast and lunch options in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy a range of beverages, including imported green teas with flavor notes akin to wines, curated by Bun himself. With its fusion of Japanese and Australian culinary influences, Cafe MONAKA offers a unique dining option that celebrates the intersection of cultures while providing a taste of Japan in the scenic surroundings of Mona Vale.