Sydney-Siders seem to love Brunch - I certainly do! We have so many awesome places here to go for breakfast, lunch or brunch that it is hard not love heading out and about to try all the new places, and of course return to tried and tested favourites.
As with my Part 1 Dinner series, I am going to call these the pre-June 2020 favourites as I guarantee more lists like this in the future.
For now, if you're in Sydney or getting ready to come for your first visit, I hope this list helps you choose where you want to go - they're all delicious!
Note - Due to Covid-19, I have not visited many of these restaurants in 2020 and therefore do not have up to date photos, nor have I tasted any changes to the menu, etc. However, many are old favs and I have searched through old 'pre-blog' photos to share anything I could find with you.
This list is presented in no particular order. It is not a ranked list.
Breakfast/Cafe
7a/2 Huntley St, Alexandria NSW 2015
Probably one of my favourite places to go in Sydney of all times. I LOVE it here! It’s so aesthetic - the whole place looks like a mix between a dream barn wedding straight off pinterest and an instagram campaign, and the food is delicious!
Alexandria is a notoriously industrial suburb and The Grounds really are surrounded by nothing but warehouses, factories and offices. Yet in amongst that setting is a...farm?! Complete with something of the cast of Charlotte’s Web, you have to make sure to visit the pig, the chickens and the gorgeous surrounds of the perfectly decorated courtyard - perhaps as you await your table for breakfast or lunch...and 9/10 you will have to wait because although it has been open for years, there is still a wait to get a table, particularly on weekends.
The courtyard now features Grounds food vendors as well including a pizza counter, trolleys with donuts and the famous Grounds pastries, a lemonade stall, and more. There are oftentimes markets with gorgeous handmade crafts for sale in the courtyard and you can sit outside at the tables there with take away from any of the stalls and have a stunning meal. There is also a gorgeous florist on site and the place is often all themed up to celebrate something or other...Easter, Christmas, the release of Frozen II, etc.
Everything that I have eaten there is good but their burger for lunch is great or if you’re keen for a slightly different breakfast, I would recommend the Salmon Tartine, it is so so delicious! They make lots of bowls which are great too and their juices are so fresh, worth it for sure.
218 Military Rd, Dover Heights NSW 2030
If you’re looking for a casual, local breakfast, one of my more recent finds is Archie’s which as well as making delicious all day brunch, makes the most refreshing Watermelon Crush (signature drink) and fantastic cold brew! This cute cafe has a great instagram if you want to get to know more about them and decide what you want to eat ahead of arrival...warning, the pictures will make you hungry!
80 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
This industrial-chic style cafe has a great menu with a more unique breakfast on offer than your standard scrambled eggs! This place is known for their fried chicken and whilst I am yet to have it, it looks amazing! Everything at PCP that I have tasted thus far has been fantastic and you can tell that they have the best chefs on the job here...and fantastic coffee! This is definitely an ‘it’ place right now and for good reason. I’ve tried both the Scram on Sourdough (can’t explain why these scrambled eggs were so particularly good but I would recommend tasting them for yourself …) and the PCP Bibi which featured sticky black rice, bean sprouts, pickled enoki, carrot, kale, rhubarb peanut kimchi, fried shallots & a fried egg.
56 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Right across the road from Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach sits Trio, one of my favourite breakfasts in Sydney, namely because of the Boss Eggs - scrambled eggs with fetta & truffle oil served with sourdough toast, avocado & san daniele prosciutto - YUM! I can also tell you that this place makes a mean nutella french toast and their coffee is always good!
Shop 4/5/25-33 Allen St, Waterloo NSW 2017
Let's get to the real reason you're all here - where is the most 'instagrammable' place to go in Sydney - well...this one would have to be right up there! Adorned with flowers in every direction, this pink and purple wonderland is definitely an instagrammers dream but the food is great too! The menu features less 'traditional Sydney brunch food,' which is great because it is nice to see something new on the menu, and has offerings like taro or charcoal hotcakes, porky mac & cheese and miso mushrooms (so good!), You may be drawn in by the photo ops but you are going to leave more than satisfied by the delicious food too!!
All of the restaurants thus far also offer lunch, so too do the first two restaurants in my lunch category offer breakfast
Lunch
2 The Esplanade, Mosman NSW 2088
Though this place offers both breakfast and lunch, I have put it on the top of my lunch list because there are few places as beautiful to sit, eat and watch an afternoon pass you by as this gorgeous restaurant/cafe. Perched at the end of the wharf, The Boathouse offers a great menu, mainly because of its seafood (though there is plenty else if that’s not for you). Particularly good is a bucket of prawns and a glass of rose up on the back deck there! They sell wine by the glass or bottle, as well as other drinks, and you can sit out on a bench on the back patio and look out on one of Sydney’s most perfect beaches, or, once you finish your meal, head down to the beach, just steps away and enjoy. You can also rent kayaks from right nearby. It’s a perfectly Sydney, perfectly serene day.
Multiple Locations - all in Double Bay
Both the breakfast and lunch menu are great at White Rabbit, particularly the large variety of breakfast bowls or lunchtime salads. Set in Double Bay, I personally prefer the Kiaora Place location, though their other cafe is just a few blocks away in Bay street. I’ve only been a couple of times so far and with such an extensive menu, nice decor, and a relaxed vibe, there is ample opportunity to keep going back!
41/43 Bourke Rd, Alexandria NSW 2015
I told you I’d be back to The Grounds! Well it so happens that one of my favourite lunch/dinner locations is right back there, The Potting Shed. This place is stunning!! You are surrounded by greenery and covered by a roof of flowers. The decor is so inspired, down to the fact that the menus have copper shovels and forks on them, the cocktails come in flower pots (or a variety of other ADORABLE options including this bird...and the cocktail inside him is somehow even better than the hilarity of this cup!) and the beer on tap...again, shovels. No detail has been spared here and I love everything about it...especially the fact that it is a great place to go with groups. The food is so good - most recently I had the Yellowfin Tuna Crudo which was outstanding, the cauliflower beignets and the shaved rockmelon and prosciutto (always a win!). I’m always a fan of the Fluffy-tiki (rum based) and would highly recommend going to the Potting Shed just for drinks, which I’ve done many times after going to The Grounds for lunch (just to get the best of both worlds), or for the full meal (because it is seriously good!).
11 Marine Parade, Watsons Bay NSW 2030
Doyles is iconic. Since 1885 they have been serving up some of the best seafood that Sydney has to offer (and we truly have excellent, exceptionally fresh seafood) right on the beach in Watson’s Bay. If you’re feeling decadent, spending an afternoon with a seafood platter and a bottle of wine, staring directly at the Sydney Harbour Bridge across the beautiful water, is truly magnificent on a clear day. You can get all kinds of seafood from simple fish and chips to lobster mornay, and beyond, and meats too (but really, they’re famous for seafood so I recommend that). It’s truly gorgeous here and, as I said, iconic.
1 Transvaal Ave, Double Bay NSW 2028
A simple cafe in theory but with excellent salads and a good menu that will keep you coming back. Indigo is a favourite amongst locals in Double Bay but you can always get a table - there is sometimes a wait but never too long. The drinks and coffee are good too so all in all, this one is an easy pick!
65 Ocean Street, Woollahra, NSW 2025
If you’re looking for a truly lovely lunch experience in the heart of the Sydney suburbs, Chiswick offers a beautiful setting, great food and lovely ambiance. I went with a group which left us trying a bit of everything which was amazing because the food is excellent. In particular, the lamb shoulder is essential when you go - it’s fabulous!
* The Potting Shed, Doyles and Chiswick are open for both lunch and dinner.
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