Nestled inside the iconic Maitland Gaol, the region's first gluten-free café and restaurant has unlocked its door.
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After weeks of revamping, co-owners Andrew and Vanessa opened the café - fittingly called Bread and Water - on Wednesday.
While not everyone seeks a gluten-free dining experience, Vanessa said she is confident there will be something for everyone on menu.
"Many people eat gluten-free meals every day without being aware of it," she said.
"A ploughman's platter is generally gluten-free, so in a lot of instances the dining experience won't be any different to what people are used to."
Bread and Water is fully licensed so a bubbles at breakfast for that special occasion, a glass of wine with lunch, or a pre-dinner palate cleanser is certainly on the menu.
And there is something for everyone with a huge spread of mouthwatering offerings on the menu from burgers, handmade muesli, house baked bread to pastries. But if that's not enough, all the spreads and condiments are handmade.
"We try to buy and use ingredients from the Hunter. Our wine is from Luskintyre and our coffee is from Darks Coffee Roasters," Vanessa said.
"We have so much beautiful produce so we want to use it."
With both indoor and alfresco dining, Bread and Water will operate as a café by day and a restaurant at night with live music to cap off the evening.
Vanessa said she wanted to emphasise that there was no risk of cross-contamination at the cafe.
"There are a lot of places that have gluten free options, and that's all they are.
"It's gluten-free heaven here because there really is nowhere else for people to go."
The Bread and Water team moved into the site after Blackbird Bakery ceased trading in February.
"We looked everywhere in Newcastle and nothing felt right. Then we found the location, and I knew it," Vanessa said.
"People have been very complimentary and friendly."