Central Coast / Open Tables

Feeling social? Find an Open Table.

At these Central Coast cafés, a golden marker on a table means the person sitting there is happy to chat. No bookings, no sign-ups, no pressure. See a marker? You're invited to say hello.

I'm feeling social. Come say hello.
Find a café About Open Tables ↗

Open Tables is a Central Coast project by Belle, part of The Welcome Lab. TOPYN hosts this map for free, and Belle keeps the café list up to date.

How it works

Plenty of us would happily have a chat. We just can't tell whether the other person would. The marker answers that before anyone has to ask.

  1. Find a marker

    They're on the counter at every Open Tables café. If you can't spot one, ask the staff.

  2. Put it on your table

    On your own or with friends, whenever you're up for a chat. Put it away when you're done.

  3. See one? Say hello

    They've already said they're up for it. Stay for a quick hello or a long conversation, whatever feels right.

Find an Open Table

Every café, kiosk and club with Open Tables markers, from Umina to Norah Head.

Had a chat at an Open Table?

Let us know with one tap. Every hello adds to the count and shows the cafés their markers are working.

0
hellos counted so far

Anonymous: no name, email or location is recorded. Each phone counts once per café per day.

A few table manners

More on the Open Tables website ↗

Get involved

Run a café or club?

Open Tables supplies the markers, a poster, ready-made social posts and a friendly contact. It's free for small cafés.

Bring it to your venue ↗

Know a good spot?

Nominate a café, bookshop or club where you'd love to see a marker on the table.

Nominate a venue ↗

Make a morning of it

Coffee at an Open Table, then a market or something else on nearby. See what's on around the Coast this weekend.

What's on this weekend

If a conversation goes deeper

Open Tables is about everyday connection, not professional support. If someone shares something heavy, it's okay to simply listen, thank them for telling you, and point them to people who can help.