Sydney's Best Brunch Spots: Where to eat, relax and indulge

A long brunch is one of life’s simple pleasures and is without a doubt one of Sydney’s treasured pastimes. Independent coffee roasters have popped up everywhere and seemingly every corner of Sydney has brunch favourites from all corners of the world. Try a Spanish Skillet at The Walrus Café in the CBD, order Asian-inspired sea urchin eggs on toast at Devon Café in Barangaroo or the taramasalata toast at Norma’s Deli in Manly. For those looking to add a little extra fun, enjoy a side of cocktails at Untied.  

For your next caffeine and brunch fix, here's our list of the best brunch spots in Sydney from the CBD to Manly, not forgetting unusual brunch spots and budget friendly options too.  

Sydney’s CBD is home to numerous sidewalk cafes and eateries that celebrate brunch in typical Australian style with a side helping of smashed avocado on toast. 

Inside and outside, The Walrus Cafe serves breakfast all day. This greenery filled, modern café is located next to The Galeries - a short walk from Hyde Park. A standout brunch dish is the Spanish Skillet made with chorizo, eggplant, tomatoes, beans, roasted capsicum, baked eggs and topped with feta. Other brunch dishes include the corn fritters with salsa, haloumi and chilli jam and tasty buttermilk pancakes with yuzu mascarpone fairy floss. The Walrus’ brunch dishes go down well with bubbles or with a sesame latte. 

Address: Shop 1/276 Pitt Street, Sydney

The Grounds of the City, the CBD outpost of Grounds Of Alexandria offers brunch dishes created with The Grounds own farm grown produce. Dishes include lobster benedict and smoked mackerel on a toasted crumpet alongside comfort food classics like croque madame, egg rolls and freshly made pancakes with berry compote. They even have their own coffee blends. 

Address: The Galeries, Shop RG 12/500 George St, Sydney

Set along the historic laneways and sandstone heritage building of The Rocks, brunch-lovers will delight in The Fine Food Store’s tequila-elderflower spritz and peach bellini brunch cocktails. Or enjoy freshly brewed, house-roasted coffee or a delicious brain freeze, mango lassi. Brunch flavour bombs include green pea and crabmeat served on toast with a squashed egg, crushed chilli oil and kewpie mayonnaise and the prosciutto and taleggio brioche roll. Another brunch star is the breakfast smorgasbord for two – a double serving of chorizo, soft boiled eggs, cheddar, ham, salmon rillettes and rye bread.

Address: The Rocks Centre, Corner Mill Lane and Kendal Lane, The Rocks, Sydney

Soak up the outdoor atmosphere at Black & White Espresso while sipping on a rousing cup of Single O coffee or a negroni. This sandwich and bagel joint located in the heart of The Rocks offers delicious, wholesome everyday food ranging from their famous Good Morning Roll which consists of crispy bacon, fried egg, avocado, and house-made harissa relish. To Jalapeno  cheese bagels, lox bagels and spicy Rubén sandwiches.

Address: Shop 2.03, 140 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney

The lively Darling Harbour Playground lets kids unleash their imaginations and excess energy while cooling off under the water pumps and jets, ropes and flying fox. Afterwards take the family for brunch at Auver Café. Art is a main feature of Auver Café reminiscent of  Auvers-sur-Oise, a small French town where Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh once resided. The cafes walls have been painted with brightly coloured murals and prettily plated brunch dishes include a crab omelette served with cheese and corn on a golden toasted croissant and matcha pancakes. Auver also offers a great kids menu, cute latte art and kids under 12 eat free for Sunday brunch.

Address: Shop NE04, 12 Nicolle Walk, Darling Square 
 
 

Located on the trendy Cockle Bay Wharf precinct of Darling Harbour, Blackbird Café is a great brunch spot for families. Surrounded by stunning harbour views, this modern Australian restaurant blends delicious flavours with seasonal ingredients. The Café offers a bottomless brunch and a special kids menu featuring tropical and margarita pizzas, battered fish and chips and crumbed calamari. 

Address: Level 1, Wheat Road, Cockle Bay Wharf Darling Harbour

Sydney's chic harbourside suburb of Barangaroo, located on the southern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, is home to a fashionable collection of restaurants and retail stores. 

Devon Cafe takes Brunch seriously, elevating humble brunch dishes with its signature fine dining approach to food. The café’s modern minimalist design is offset by its beautifully plated dishes. The brunch menu features creative dishes like Sea Urchin Eggs On Toast which consists of white uni, ikura, scrambled eggs and brioche toast. The Buddha Bowl is a medley of sautéed cauliflower rice, tofu and mushroom bulgogi, avocado, spicy gochujang sauce, kimchi, radish, and nori seaweed. Another favourite is the Indonesian-inspired Mie Goreng with egg noodles, porcini bumbu, chicharrón, fried eggs, and chives. The Breakfast with Sakuma features miso marinated king salmon with an eel croquette. The Surf and Turf Okonomiyaki includes tempura tiger prawn and egg and a Japanese cabbage pancake with crispy bacon and otafuku sauce.

 Address: 19/200 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo

Untied offers a two hour bottomless cocktail brunch on its rooftop perch in Barangaroo every Saturday. Set within tropical lush greenery with seating indoors and outdoors, Untied is a haven for Bloody Mary loving weekend brunchers. The Brunch menu features a spinach dip with schiacciata bread, green oil, and fried basil. Barbecue pulled shitake mushrooms accompanied by chilli beans, fried tortilla, jalapeno, and slaw. The southern-style fried Chicken waffles are served with pear, maple syrup and hot sauce. Every Saturday and Sunday you can enjoy this southern-style brunch with live entertainment. On Sunday’s, the Sexy Sunday Jam belts out soulful tunes as you kick back and enjoy a delicious brunch, tasty cocktails and soak up the atmosphere.

Address: Rooftop, Level 4, Exchange Place, 400 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, Sydney

Bondi is known the world over for its laid back surf culture and golden sandy beach. Sandwiched between Bondi and Coogee, Bronte offers a chilled family-friendly beach vibe. Walk off brunch along the coastal path or enjoy saltwater laps at the ocean Bronte Baths on Bronte road. 

Lox Stock and Barrel  serves the best bagels in Bondi. From their delicious wagyu corn beef Reuben filled with Swiss cheese, pickles, and sauerkraut to their smashed avocado, feta, and mint bagel. Try their grilled spiced albacore tuna sandwich with jalapenos, miso-dressed slaw, and cucumber. Delicious!

Address: 140 Glenayr Avenue, Bondi Beach, Sydney

With stunning views of Bronte Beach and the park, Café Salina’s sidewalk is the perfect alfresco Brunch spot. Enjoy the delicious corn fritters served with bacon, tomato and salsa, chicken and chorizo burger, ricotta hotcakes drenched in berry compote and the wide selection of eggs benedict dishes. The café is licenced but standout drinks  include the power smoothies packed with antioxidants and the juicy virgin coconuts served with a straw.

Address: 479 Bronte Rd, Bronte, Sydney

Sydney’s beautiful Manly beaches are accessed by the double ended ferries that shuttle between Circular Quay and Manly Cove and Manly’s main street boutiques, cafés and pubs offer a popular escape from the city. 

Norma’s Deli is a great spot for Greek brunch favourites including taramasalata toast, char grilled octopus served with cherry tomatoes, chermoula  and Norma’s sourdough and avocado and poppy seed cake. Try the freshly made bougatsa, a delicious Greek phyllo custard tart and check out their deli counter after brunch. Take home an array of cheeses, antipasto, olives, and preserves. 

Address: Manly Warehouse, 74/78 The Corso, Manly, Sydney

Head to The Boathouse on Shelly Beach – it’s about a twenty minute walk from Manly beach, starting at the southern end. Enjoy croissant French toast, crab scramble and poached eggs with stunning views. Must-try dishes include the ricotta and goat cheese zucchini flowers and Sydney rock oysters. 

Address: 1 Marine Parade, Manly, Sydney

Sydney is packed with affordable brunch options that don’t skimp on quality. From Bondi to the CBD, both students and budget savvy travellers can find well-priced authentic flavours.

Mami’s, a Mexican cantina in Bondi serves up affordable, authentic Mexican brunch dishes for under twenty dollars. Chilaquiles topped with a fried egg, salsa and beans and scrambled eggs with pico de gallo salsa and guacamole are standout brunch dishes. As is the enfrijoladas - corn tortillas covered in a delicious bean sauce and stuffed with cheese. And a staple after a swim or a long walk, are Mami’s pork tacos with salsa verde, fresh onion and chopped coriander.

Address: 286 Bondi Rd, Bondi, Sydney

For affordable Indonesian fare, check out Medan Ciak on Sussex Street in the CBD. For under twenty dollars you can enjoy spicy, homestyle Nasi Padang. It’s amazingly good value and comes with slow-cooked beef rendang, fried chicken, vegetable curry, a boiled egg, traditional sambal, and chilli chips. 

Address: 10/339 Sussex Street, Sydney 

Bar Mammoni is a great spot for espresso’s, pastries, cocktails, and pasta. This Italian cafe even offers a ten dollar pasta brunch special during the week. Located near Circular Quay, the café’s courtyard is packed with locals enjoying the sun and cro-sando - a delicious mortadella and whipped ricotta rectangular croissant for under ten dollars. Sweet-loving pastry aficionada’s opt for the cinnamon and vanilla glazed Cinnabon’s - rumoured to be the best in the city. 

Address: Shop/2 Loftus Lane, Sydney

Off the beaten track Café Monaka in Mona Vale in Sydney's Penisular deserves a mention as one of Sydney’s best kept brunch secrets. Locals queue for excellent coffee and delightful Japanese Bento Box servings of steamed rice with furikake seasoning, miso soup, grilled salmon marinated in shio-koji (fermented rice), edamame, tamagoyaki (egg omelette), grilled Asian mushrooms. Or there’s a bacon and organic egg roll with greens and house-made chutney. 

Address: 2/24 Waratah Street, Mona Vale, Sydney

Discover a few of Sydney’s more unique brunch experiences, from mastering the art of French croissant-making to enjoying wellness-inspired dishes and an interactive Chinese Tea Ceremony.  

Porch and Parlour in North Bondi is a brunch favourite with the health conscious foodie set. The menu is centred around wholesome, wellness focused food dishes that include kimchi open sandwiches, green pea pancakes and grilled Baja fish tacos. All dishes are served on the restaurant’s own handmade ceramic plates and bowls, which you can buy alongside your porridge and ricotta pancakes. Try the turmeric latte or chilli cacao drinks – they offer a powerful caffeine-free kick. 

Address: 17-18/110 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi, Sydney

For a unique brunch adventure head to Hearthe for sweet and savoury delights that are uniquely Australian. Pastry chef Christopher Thé creatively uses local and native ingredients like Saltbush, Geraldton wax, wattleseed and lemon myrtle. Enjoy the saltbush scones and cream and the baked egg and bacon tart which is served with bush tomato relish and white beans and topped with saltbush. Or for a something completely different - eggs benedict with hollandaise, Warrigal greens and finger lime. Meal of the day menu specials keep things fresh and seasonal and include kangaroo wellington or a chicken tagine paired with native ingredients. 

Address: 16 Douglas Street, Stanmore, Sydney 

Set within the tranquil Chinese Friendship Garden in Darling Harbour you will find a different kind of brunch venue. One Dining offers a retreat from the city’s hustle and brings Chinese food culture to life with a traditional Yum Cha experience. This unique Chinese mid-morning tradition combines authentic dim sum dishes like shiitake mushroom dumplings and scallop and prawn dumplings with a laid back tea ceremony. 

Address: 1 Pier Street, Haymarket, Sydney

 Next time you’re in Sydney take time to enjoy a leisurely brunch in one of the city’s scenic neighbourhoods. From the modern eateries of the buzzing CBD, The Rocks and fashionable Barangaroo to Bondi and Manly’s stunning oceanside eateries.