Ly Café, Bathurst
A small, heartfelt café tucked inside the Bathurst Rail Museum, Ly Café is one of those places that proves size has nothing to do with impact. It’s a tiny footprint with a mighty presence, shaped by thoughtful service, steady coffee and a team that makes every visitor feel welcome. Families, early tradies, museum wanderers – everyone finds a moment of pause here.
Why we love it
Ly Café carries a kindness‑first energy that feels rare. It’s cosy, community‑minded and built on the belief that small gestures matter. A little space with a big heart.
A chat with Nicky from Ly Café
We met beautiful Nicky, the face behind Ly Café, and asked her a few questions about her journey…
What made you choose the museum as the home for your café?
The museum is the perfect place for me on this journey. It isn’t too big to manage, and we can give good service to everyone – especially our elderly customers who loved to sit, have a chat, and get together in a train carriage.
As a very new small business owner, I still have so much to learn. But I love that I get to work with people of all ages and bring a positive mindset and kindness back into our community. After COVID, it hasn’t been easy for people to reconnect and feel that love and positive vibe.
What is a small moment in the café that always makes you smile?
We try to spread positive vibes with little things – like a ‘free’ piccolo at 5.30am for our early tradies, bus drivers and truck drivers. Sometimes we give out free bites just to let people know we care and appreciate them. Kids are a priority too. A little treat goes a long way to bringing families together for both us and the museum. Seeing those smiles is what we love most.
There are so many moments that made me proud and smile. When customers, staff and I can all be ourselves, turn up with smiles and leave with our heads held high. When someone grabs a coffee, a joke, a free bite or piccolo on their way to work. Those everyday interactions meant the most.
Anything else you want to share?
I know times are tough. Some beautiful customers even tell me not to give away free things in case I go out of business. But I truly believe that love, care and beautiful service will help me, my staff and the business grow one day. Maybe not right now, but with consistency, hard work, positive vibes and kindness, I believe we’ll stay strong – together.
Like my mum always said: ‘A happy face attracts happy faces. Kindness pays off. Success comes. And being yourself is the most important way to live.’ Carrying our name ‘Ly’ with our heads high was the dream of my parents before their last breath. That’s the reason why I chose ‘Ly’ to be our cafe name.
Photos by Meg Lynch
