100 Cafes You Should Have Eaten At If You Live In Sydney
Us Sydneysiders love nothing more than a great café. Give us good coffee, perfectly poached eggs and a side of smashed avo, and really we’re pretty happy people. So, dear foodies, we’ve put together a café compass, if you will, with 100 cafes you should have eaten breakfast at if you call this city home.
East
1. Porch and Parlour in Bondi: While it seems there is an endless queue at this Bondi gem, we guarantee the raw cosmic salad is worth the wait.
2. Indigo in Double Bay: An eastside institution, order the organic coconut water bircher and soak up the sunshine.
3. bills Bondi: A visit to Sydney isn’t complete without ‘breakfast at bills.’ Go the classic sweet corn fritters or ricotta hotcakes with banana and honeycomb butter.
4. Wieczorkowski: This Polish cafe will have you emptying your wallet while filling your stomach with goodies. Be sure to try the traditional Pierogis.
5. The Hill Eatery in Bondi: Take the trek up the hill for their epic Himalayan red rice porridge with banana, coconut and dates.
6. Three Blue Ducks in Bronte: Sydney stalwart, Three Blue Ducks, serves hearty and healthy options like their famed scrambled eggs with black sausage.
7. Lox Stock & Barrel in Bondi: We love a New-York style brekkie, particularly one that involves smoked lox and stacks of pastrami.
8. Brown Sugar in Bondi: This family-friendly Sydney café has a vast breakfast menu with top dishes including black stone eggs, Moroccan eggs, and ancient grain porridge.
9. Bondi Picnic in Bondi: If you haven’t tried Bondi Picnic’s Vego-cado toast, you can’t call yourself a true blue Aussie.
10. Avila Crepes in Bondi: A newcomer on Sydney’s breakfast scene, we love the Number 3: eggs, aioli, cherry tomato, pancetta and Swiss cheese.
11. Oneness Café in Coogee: We love this clean eating café in Coogee, where there’s plenty for the vegan and gluten-free.
12. Ruby’s Diner in Waverley: Hands down one of the best breakfasts in Sydney, order Ruby’s croquet monsieur and thank us later!
13. M Deli Café in Bondi: With great coffee and fresh coconuts going round, we’re frequent visitors to the corner café in Bondi.
14. Panama House in Bondi: Because who doesn’t like fajitas!
15. Luxe in Woollahra: This gorgeous café does a delicious selection of salads, sandwiches and pastries with some of the best coffee in Sydney to wash it all down.
16. Jo And Willys Depot in Bondi: One for the Bondi hipsters, this awesome café does staples like acai granola and brekkie bowls loaded with kale, quinoa, buckwheat and wild rice.
17. Tiger Mottle in Paddington: This cute Paddington café is consistently a hit with the locals. We’re big fans of the mushies on toast.
18. Bondi Massive in Bondi: An oldie but a goodie, here you’ll find some of the best smashed avo in Sydney. And trust us, we’ve tried them all!
19. Bondi Wholefoods in Bondi: Hold your horses, we’d never forget this Sydney hot spot! Needless to say we’ll be ordering cacao berry pancakes with a side of organic maple syrup.
20. Harry’s Bar & Dining in Bondi: The recently re-opened Harry’s Bar & Dining has already garnered a cult following for its cider-cured ocean trout and crispy rolled egg.
21. Nelson Road Tuck Shop in Bondi Junction: This lovely kiosk does hearty salads, gourmet sausage rolls and grown-up lunch boxes for those on the run.
22. Earth to Table in Bondi Junction: One of Sydney’s original paleo cafes, Earth to Table is renowned for its supercharged acai bowls, raw kale pesto pasta, and fig and walnut toast. Don’t leave without a slice of raw snickers cake to take home.
23. Flat White Café in Woollahra: An all-day breakfast menu is always a winner in our books. Our picks the smoked trout and roast fennel baked eggs.
North
24. Maisy’s 24 in Neutral Bay: Luckily for north side locals, Maisy’s keeps its doors open 24/7, so you know, you can always smash a chicken burger at 3am.
25. The Incinerator in Willoughby: North Shore locals are well acquainted with The Incinerator, which is dishing up some of the best brunch in Sydney. The brand new autumn menu features a pancake stack with poached pear, and sweet potato rosti with haloumi and beetroot relish.
26. Wild Sage in Cammeray: Grab a seat in the sun-drenched courtyard and don’t try to fight the desire to order the ricotta and lemon pancakes, just let it happen and savour every last bite.
27. The Porch in Crows Nest: There’s plenty to be pleased about on this café menu. Think an avocado melt, crispy pork belly salad, and corn fritters with grilled bacon.
28. Bay Ten Espresso in Lavender Bay: ay Ten Espresso in Lavender Bay: on this café menu. Think an avocado melt, crispy pork belly salad, emon pancakes, just let it happen and savour every last bite.
29. Fourth Village Providore in Mosman: in Mosman: ge Providorender Bay: on this café menfired pizza, it’s well worth heading in for a spot of breakfast as well. The market breakfast with smoked salmon and goat’s cheese is a must.
30. The Penny Royal in Mosman: This neck of the woods started to pick up when Penny Royal opened the doors to this cosy coffee nook and eatery. Be sure to grab a freshly-made muffin when you’re here.
31. Laneway Café in Cammeray: You cannot go past the breakfast menu here. We would say it has a top contender for Sydney’s best bacon and egg roll, topped off with a crunchy hash brown.
32. Sprout Wholefood in Naremburn: For the #cleaneaters among us, you simply can’t go past Sprout Wholefood’s delicious and nutritious menu. Grab the sprout fritters and a liver rescue juice and you’ll be feeling good as new in no time.
33. The Butcher’s Café in Fairlight: There’s nothing better than a steak sanga and a delicious coffee after a dip at the beach, so be sure to head to The Butcher’s Café after you’ve worked up an appetite in the waves.
34. The Roots in North Sydney: Locals said a loud ‘hallelujah’ when these guys set up camp among the sandwich shops in suit city. Grab a coffee and a plate of poached eggs with avo, for a smile on your face all day long.
35. Northside Bunker in North Sydney: A relatively new addition to Sydney’s breakfast scene, this industrial café is serving coffee from The Grounds and crushed avo with macadamias.
36. Salvage Specialty Coffee in Artarmon: At this lower North Shore café you’ll be treated with Southern Bennys, croquet madames and Proud Mary coffee to boot.
37. Maslow’s in Pymble: Housed within a newly-refurbished garage, Maslow’s serve Seven Seeds coffee along with rose lemonade scones and salted peanut butter cookies, which we bet sell out real quick.
38. Anvil Coffee Co in Kirribilli: One of the prettiest little cafes in Sydney, take a seat right on the waters edge and enjoy a blueberry and lavender smoothie.
39. Street Bean Espresso in Mosman: The coffee is cracking and the waffles are wonderful with banana, strawberries, chocolate and icecream.
40. The Source Bulk Foods in Willoughby: Like a candy store but with healthy things too, so you don’t need to hide it from your mum.
41. Burnt Orange in Mosman: Nestled on the ridge of Middle Head, Burnt Orange is a north side gem. Our picks are the house-smoked ocean trout and lamb ravioli.
42. Wild Basket in Neutral Bay: They had us at super cheese toasties and traditional Aussie lamingtons.
43. Dachshund Coffee in Hunters Hill: Come, sit, stay at this gorgeous and unsurprisingly dog-friendly café. The coffee is next level and their dog’s breakfast (note: for humans) is a winning brekkie choice.
Northern Beaches
44. Frank’s Bar in Avalon: This café-wine bar hybrid serves freshly-stuffed paninis by day and pizza by night, so your taste buds are always kept satisfied.
45. Cruise Espresso in Freshwater: Snack breaks are sorted with Cruise Espresso’s chocolate raspberry tarts and pour over filter coffee.
46. Armchair Collective in Mona Vale: Is it a café or is it a store? Either way they do grilled haloumi stack that’s worth travelling across town for.
47. Pure Wholefoods in Manly: For the clean-eating kids up north, Pure Wholefoods is somewhat of an institution. The raw tiramisu cake has us drooling.
48. Fika Swedish Kitchen in Manly: With its gorgeous fit out and delicious Scandinavian-inspired menu, this is one Sydney café worth crossing the water for.
49. La Banette in Avalon: If you’re partial to a good loaf of bread, get yourself to La Banette in Avalon. Think croissants, quiches, meringues and hot baguettes straight from the oven.
50. The Boathouse in Palm Beach: You can’t call yourself a true Sydney foodie till you’ve eaten breakfast at The Boathouse. We’re obsessed with the croissant French toast slathered in maple syrup.
51. COOH Cafe and Roaster in North Curl Curl: Honest food with bags of flavour is what you’ll find at this Northern Beaches café. Dig in to tasty salads, sandwiches and deliciously guilt-free raw desserts.
South
52. Grind in Cronulla: One of the best cafes southside, this cafe does cold drip and a mean brekkie.
53. White Horse Café in Sutherland: These guys take coffee pretty seriously, which makes it worth travelling the distance for.
54. Miranda Hotel in Miranda: We’re pretty firm believers in hair of the dog. Yes, it’s not a café, but once you have had the bacon and egg burrito after a particularly big night out, it won’t matter.
55. Ham in Cronulla: A popular spot for breakfast on the Southside, we recommend the brekkie plate, paninis and homemade baklava.
56. Pilgrims in Cronulla: Made famous for its vegetarian Bliss Burger, Pilgrims is one of the best cafes down the coast.
57. The Mothership by Single O in Botany: Single Origin has set up shop at a cool, industrial space in Botany. Get there for a drip coffee and slice of banana bread with espresso butter.
58. Culture Bean Café in Kogarah: If you like your breakfast served out of a Maison jar, join the queue at this ultra trendy Southside café.
59. Bread & Stone in Cronulla: With glazed doughnuts and Danish pastries, we’d happily take a seat at this seaside café.
60. Brasserie Bread in Banksmeadow: Carb-lovers, you can’t get much better than Brasserie Bread. These guys seriously know how to bake!
West
61. The Tuckshop in Glenhaven: Just like your school canteen only WAY better. Order the pulled pork roll or endure a solid bout of food envy.
62. The Baron in Castle Hill: Head to the wild, wild West for another bangin’ avo on toast and perfectly-brewed cup of Joe.
63. Three Ropes Espresso in Parramatta: This cool laneway café is serving Little Marionette Coffee and tasty sandwiches to a steady stream of workers.
64. Circa in Parramatta: Snare yourself a seat on a milk crate and devour a delicious breakfast at this cute and quirky café.
65. Henri Marc in Penrith: Who could turn their nose up at Reuben Hills coffee and caramel on toast? Not us.
66. Ristretto & Co in Liverpool: This rustic café is doing a roaring trade in breakfast boards and Campos coffee.
Inner West
67. Cornersmith in Marrickville: You’ll be hard pressed to find a list of Sydney’s best cafes that doesn’t include Cornersmith. And we’ve just spotted their new menu featuring feta, cucumber, mint and sumac on rye. Yum.
68. Wicks Park Cafe in Marrickville: You may know it as Double Roasters, and here you’ll find some of the best coffee in Sydney. Pair it back with their legendary roast pork sambo and you have yourself a winning combination.
69. Daisy’s Milkbar in Petersham: Hailing back to the Aussie milkbars of yesteryear, Daisy’s specialise in 50s classics like the choc fudge sundae of Knickerbocker Glory.
70. Cuckoo Callay in Newtown: Once upon a time we ate Cinderella’s Breakfast at Cuckoo Callay, and never looked backed. Pumpkin fritters come topped with house-cured salmon, basil pesto and poached egg, which is pretty much our dream come true.
71. Brewtown Newtown in Newtown: The queues here are a good indication of how awesome the breakfast is inside. Love the Belgian waffles with orange ricotta and stewed fruits.
72. Bread & Circus in Alexandria: The menu changes daily, but keep your eyes peeled for the caramelised lemon banana pancakes and foxy summertime porridge.
73. The Grounds of Alexandria in Alexandria: Word to the wise, you may want to avoid this spot on the weekend when ravenous Sydneysiders flock here. If you manage to get a seat, do yourself a favour and order the burger.
74. Grandma’s in Alexandria: Home to the famous shakshuka, here you’ll find a mix of traditional Middle Eastern and European flavours, just like Grandma used to make it.
75. Kitchen by Mike in Rosebery: Enjoy a buffet style lunch served to you by ex-Rockpool chef Mike McEnearney, before perusing isles of Koskela homewares.
76. West Juliett in Marrickville: Deliciously healthy, this awesome cafe is well deserving of its spot on our list of best cafes in the inner west.
77. Sadhana Kitchen in Enmore: Your weekend orders sorted with the pitaya bowls and organic, raw and vegan not-ella crepes.
78. Kazbah in Balmain: This Balmain brunch spot has well and truly earned its stripes as one of Sydney’s best cafes. The world-famous (probably) breakfast tagine is particularly good if you spent last night working your way through the wine list.
79. Black Star Pastry in Rosebery: You haven’t well and truly lived until you’ve scoffed down Black Star’s strawberry watermelon cake with rose scented cream.
CBD and surrounds
80. Pablo & Rusty’s in the CBD: One of the best spots to breakfast in Sydney’s CBD, start your day the right way with osso buco and poached eggs on toast.
81. Haven Specialty Coffee in Surry Hills: This new Sydney café prides itself on making coffee just the way you like and house made pastries. If you’re inclined to a mocha, this one is epic!
82. Marcelle in Potts Point: This chic Potts Point café has an industrial feel and a wonderful breakfast menu. The brioche with dulche de leche hazelnut and banana is perfection.
83. Bowery Lane in the CBD: A popular spot for brunchin’ in the city, we recommend the Brooklyn bagel with salmon and a green power juice to wash it down.
84. NoOk Urban Fresh Bar in the CBD: This little oasis serves the prettiest breakfasts in town and we’re loving the look of their brand new autumn menu.
85. Brickfields in Chippendale: Follow the aromas of freshly baked bread and you’ll find yourself in a haven of pastries, sweet treats and Mecca coffee.
86. Opera Bar in the CBD: Bet you kids didn’t know Opera Bar has just launched breakfast. And when Matt Moran’s in charge, you can bet your bucks it’ll be good!
87. St Jude in Redfern: This beloved corner café in Redfern does a daily omelette, delicious breakfast sandwich and Rush Coffee to keep you going.
88. Penny’s in Ultimo: This new café off Harris Street is sure to knock your socks off with its double burger (with Swiss cheese, onion rings, and aioli) and coffee via Little Marionette.
89. Venus Whole Foods in Surry Hills: Conveniently located right next to TUL HQ, you’ll often find us grabbing coffee at Venus Whole Foods. The gluten-free banana cake is a winner.
90. Edition Coffee Roasters in Darlinghurst: This relative newcomer plates up some of the loveliest breakfast in Sydney. Think jasmine and fennel poached chicken, shaved almonds, jasmine cream and lotus chips.
91. Paramount Coffee Project in Surry Hills: With snacks like dulce de leche waffles, maple-smoked bacon and a Philly cheesesteak forget about the calories and just dig in!
92. Reuben Hills in Surry Hills: No breakfast in Sydney is complete without excellent coffee, and Reuben Hills has a good reputation for theirs. To eat, it’s the Dirty Bird (spicy grilled chicken on brioche) followed by Doggs breakfast ice cream sandwich.
93. Suzie Q Coffee & Records in Surry Hills: Hidden café, Suzie Q, is a breakfast fave of The Urban List. There are daily specials and delicious sandwiches, which you can enjoy inside or get to go.
94. Devon on Danks in Waterloo: Custard stuffed cronuts and soft serve with fries, these are a few of our favourite things.
95. Kepos Street Kitchen in Redfern: We love this Redfern breakfast spot with its own big breakfast called ‘Dad’s favourite breaky’ consisting of felafel, hummus, labneh, hardboiled egg, tomato salad and schiacciata bread. Bonus: you don’t have to be a dad to enjoy this.
96. Elizabeth Bay Café in Elizabeth Bay: The EBC Hash Brown topped with a poached egg… Need we say more?
97. Dr Faustus in Redfern: Remember when Froot Loops and Coco Pops was a scrumptious and legitimate form of breakfast? Dr Faustus will take you down memory lane with its bowls of cereal milk.
98. Orto Trading Co in Surry Hills: Pull up a seat in the courtyard and dig in to the crispy fried sardines on toast.
99. John Smith in Waterloo: Eggs bennie with pulled pork, cronuts and Rebel Roaster coffee – you’ve certainly got our attention!
100. Three Williams in Redfern: Three Williams’ crunchy brioche French toast is popping up on Instagram feeds citywide, and you can trust us it tastes as good as it looks!
Image credit: NoOk Urban Fresh Bar
By Ellie Schneider Source: The Urban List
