Australians won’t thank you for thinking that their national dish is the barbecue. No. That honour should go to the great Australian breakfast. With weather this good, and the prospect of a great day ahead of you, no wonder so many Australians have turned breakfast into an art form. Check out our best places for breakfast in Sydney – or brunch, if you’re not an early bird.
MECCA ESPRESSO
Let’s start with a coffee. You’ll have three Mecca Espressos to choose from in town, at King Street, Alfred Street and a roastery in Chippendale. All of them are chic and modern – and all about the coffee. The waiters will explain all the options and guide you to the brew that’s exactly right for you. One of the busiest and best-loved coffee spots in Sydney, get your caffeine fix in style here.
Red Tour, Stop: Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
meccacoffee.com.au
KEPOS & CO
Australia is a fascinating mix of east and west, and at Kepos the eastern influences comes to the fore. If you’re looking for a Sydney brunch that’s a little different, this place serves up a wide range of salads and breads. Tuck into the delicious concotions award-winning chef Michael Rantissi serves for breakfast. Hummus and falafel are staples in this modern Israeli kitchen and you simply have to order them, but beyond that anything goes. There’s even a whole menu dedicated just to teas.
PABLO & RUSTY'S
You can have anything for breakfast or brunch at P&R’s, as long as it’s green. The emphasis is on ethical produce and sustainability. A bio-generator powers the entire place, which prides itself on homemade teas and bread freshly baked on site. These have proved so delicious they’ve even started selling their own teas to customers who want to recreate their own breakfast at home.
With 3 locations dotted around the city, each one has been built to accommodate the pace and lifestyle of the neighbourhood.
Red Tour, Stop: Australian Museum
pabloandrustys.com.au
FIKA SWEDISH KITCHEN
Yup, you read that right. Sweden might seem far away, but Fika brings some fine Scandinavian tastes all the way to Manly, Sydney. Try egg and fish roe spread to start off your day, or how about gravlax and boiled eggs? Feast on a Nordic delicacy like oven-fresh cinnamon bun along with Campos coffee, before heading off for the day ahead.
ROOM 10
Breakfast rice, hand-crafted muesli, just-baked pastries... don’t take too long deciding if you’ve got a full day’s sightseeing ahead of you. Room 10 may seem tiny but it’s big on taste. Peruse the huge range of coffees and loose-leaf teas on offer to wash it all down. Make the most of the huge portions at this Mediterranean eatery.
Red Tour, Stop: El Alamein Fountain
LEFT BOWER
Make a pilgrimage to Sutherland's Left Bower, a cafe that's small and subtle in size, but rich in quality, community and atmosphere. Left Bower's low-key fit-out and decor intends to replicate the cosy calm vibe of a sleepy 1950's beach-side caravan park, and succeeds, completing the effect with formica tables, retro crockery and souvenir teaspoons.
Don't let the humble facade fool you - the dishes on offer feature a variety of exotic flavours, expertly and delicately combined to make unforgettable meals. Coffee is homegrown too, and skilfully prepared by Left Bower's brilliant (and friendly) baristas.
AXIL COFFEE & CO
Locations don’t come much better than this. You’ll kick start your day with a view as you eat breakfast right on the ferry wharf, with the iconic Sydney Harbour as your backdrop. Milkshakes, muesli, eggs over easy – whatever sweets or savouries tickle your fancy, it’s probably on the menu. This is definitely one of those breakfast spots worth posting on Instagram.
CORNERSMITH
Why should eating breakfast make you feel guilty? That’s not the vibe at Cornersmith, where all the dishes seem to do you more and more good as you chew. From prunes to kale, superfoods dominate the menu and they all taste super good. The emphasis is on handmade too, and the folk here even make their own honey. A great family-run eatery with delicious vegan options.
KANSAS CITY SHUFFLE
Let’s bow out with a blow-out. If you fancy pancakes for breakfast, Kansas City’s got just what the doctor ordered. An inch-thick pancake that’s so fluffy and light it almost floats off the plate. The topping is not for the faint-hearted, and certainly not for those who don’t have a sweet tooth. Pair your stack with a warm cup of their house specialty, a bespoke brew blended from Single Origin Roasters.
Red Tour, Stop: Circular Quay
kansascityshuffle.net
Everyone knows breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and whether you make it to one or all of our recommendations we guarantee you’ll be munching at some of the best breakfast and brunch spots in Sydney. Once you’ve had your fill of cakes and coffees why not check out our guide to the best beaches in Sydney…
