The cafe scene in Sydney is one of the best in the world—no yolk. We've got the local coffee roasters, the primo ingredients to make wholesome (and stunning) breakfast plates, and the adoration of an Insta-worthy cafe setting covered.
While some Sydney cafes tick off ribbons of scrambled eggs, piles of pancakes and the requisite avocado on toast with admirable dedication, plenty of breakfast, brunch and lunch spots get a little more experimental, blending cultural influences and ingredients on menus that get the Urban List team excited to set the alarm.
These are the best cafes in Sydney right now.
Boon Cafe
1/425 Pitt Street, Haymarket
Image credit: Boon Cafe | Instagram
Boon Cafe is one to try when you're ready to skip the avo on toast. Start the day with pandan custard-slathered toast or a Thai breakfast tray loaded with congee, skewered pork, baked eggs, bacon, avocado, mushies and sourdough—perfect for fuelling a shopping sesh at the attached Jarern Chai Grocer.
Come lunchtime, the som tum gai todt burger with juicy Thai-style fried chicken and papaya salad is our pick, and you can order traditional Thai noodle and rice dishes all day. As well as the usual cafe drinks, you can sip fresh juices and frappes, iced tisanes using unique South East Asian ingredients like sweet pickled plum, and various takes on Thai tea.
The Details
Open: Sunday–Thursday, 8am–10pm and Friday–Saturday, 8am–11pm
Valentinas
132 Livingstone Road, Marrickville
Image credit: Valentinas | Instagram
If you're hankering for American diner classics like pancake stacks, bacon, egg and cheese muffins or fried chicken sandwiches (or maybe just hungover...), Valentinas is an absolute need-to-visit cafe.
The Classic is the go-to order here and comes with scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries and a pancake (yes, it works), which pairs perfectly with bottomless filter coffee or one of the best Bloody Marys in the Inner West. This Sydney cafe is popular (and deservingly so), so set the alarm or prepare to wait for a seat.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Sunday, 7am–3pm
Single O Surry Hills
60/64 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Single O | Tom Ferguson
Sydney's cafe scene would look a little different were it not for the pioneers at Single O and their Reservoir Street flagship, which has been running since 2003 and basically kicked off coffee roasting culture here.
As well as a self-service batch brew bar, the menu at their Surry Hills cafe changes seasonally with satisfying picks with brekkie staples and lunch picks the Fish Dawg sandwich with crumbed barramundi, jack cheese, tarragon tartare, mustard pickled zucchini, red cabbage and dill slaw on a potato bun. If you're really serious about coffee be sure to check out Sideshow, the specialty brew bar next door.
The details
Open: Monday–Friday, 7am–3pm and Saturdays and Sundays, 8am–3pm
Kurumac
107 Addison Road, Marrickville
Image credit: Kurumac | Instagram
If Japanese comfort food paired with breezy hip-hop beats and moody jazz is your idea of a cafe, Kurumac ("Cool Mac" in Japanese) is your spot in the Inner West.
Inside, you'll find a pop-bright mural on the wall by Ar-chive and a menu that might feel off-beat for anyone searching for avo on toast; try the spicy cod roe melt made with thick-cut Japanese milk bread, roe, and tasty cheese, which is a contender for one of Sydney's best toasties, or a chirashi bowl with top-quality raw and torched salmon, eel, prawn and scallop on rice. Everything is served on beautiful Japanese crockery, which ships you straight to Tokyo.
Alongside all the usual cafe drink staples, you can cool off with an iced mugicha tea or roasted green tea gelato milkshake.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Sunday, 7am–3pm
Norma's Deli
74/78 The Corso, Manly
Image credit: Norma's Deli | Instagram
Go Greek at this Sydney seaside cafe and start your day with bougatsa, galaktoboureko, and olive and cheese-studded focaccia fresh from the oven at Norma's Deli.
As well as the bakery items there's a full breakfast and lunch menu for dine-in, or takeway to enjoy on Manly Beach, with folded eggs with grated saganaki cheese, wild mushrooms and green leaves on house sourdough, massive portions of moussaka, and taramasalata-topped toast with boiled eggs, anchovies, chermoula lemon zest and bottarga.
Single O is served for your coffee fix, or you can opt for a cheeky margarita or Norma's Negroni to pair with a stellar sandwich at lunchtime.
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Porch & Parlour
17-18/110 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi
Image credit: Porch & Parlour | Instagram
Porch & Parlour is a North Bondi icon; this beachside cafe has stood proud on its sunny strip for over a decade, and is one of our favourites for starting the day with ocean views and a fresh juice, coffee or cheeky Bloody Mary.
Wholesome but delicious is the general vibe, with top picks like the pea pancake with avocado, feta, poached eggs, snow pea sprouts, cherry tomatoes and house-made nut and seed mix (we add hot-smoked salmon) or a halloumi bun with fried egg, avocado smash, tomato relish, red cabbage slaw, and chipotle mayo on a milk bun, all served on their own crockery brand, Porch Ceramics.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Sunday, 6.30am–2pm
Circa Espresso
21 Wentworth Street, Parramatta
Image credit: Circa Espresso | Instagram
Circa Espresso is a Parramatta staple with a reputation for offering one of Western Sydney's best breakfasts, with a modern cafe space and plenty of outdoor seating so it's super dog-friendly.
Sip on Circa's signature house-roasted coffee and fill up on delicious Middle Eastern-influenced comfort food from the all-day brekkie menu like baked eggs with Danish feta, Roma tomatoes, harissa gravy, sujuk and chilli on house made focaccia or the vegan bowl with sumac and turmeric roasted-cauliflower, cauliflower purée, braised savoy cabbage, apple, radicchio and dukkah.
We'd suggest treating yourself to a scoop of the house-made pistachio tiramisu for breakfast dessert.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Friday, 7am–2.30pm and Saturday–Sunday, 8am–3pm
Room 10
10 Llankelly Place, Potts Point
Image credit: Room10 | Instagram
Room 10 is a pint-sized but big-time hero of the Sydney cafe scene, found at the end of laneway marked by a crowd of locals waiting for their table. A favourite with chefs and in-the-know foodies, Room 10 is uncomplicated and casual, serving an all-day menu with dishes like The Deb signature avo toast, or breakfast rice bowl of red rice, black quinoa, walnut, pepitas and sunflower seeds topped with stewed rhubarb, yoghurt, fresh fruit and honey.
In early 2021, Room 10 extended their offering across the laneway with Piña, a fresh space with a similar philosophy but a bigger kitchen to add extra flourishes to existing favourites—but don't think that means you won't still have to wait for your table.
The details
Open: Monday–Sunday, 7am–3pm
Blackwood Cronulla
5/33 Surf Lane, Cronulla
Image credit: Blackwood | Instagram
A wholesome and dog-friendly South Sydney cafe, Blackwood Pantry is the food baby of three mates from The Shire, wooing Cronulla locals with its fresh, wholesome menu. Favourites include the Schnitty Schnitty Bang Bang, spicy BAE roll, Insta-friendly nourish bowls, and the much-loved miso avo, Blackwood's healthy spin on the classic avo on toast dressed up with avocado, miso and cashew butter, lime, chilli, black sesame and coriander,
If it's beachy, weekend vibes you're after—Blackwood is the spot. There's also a sister cafe with the same name and vibes in Bondi—check it out here.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Sunday, 7am–4pm
Theeca
1 Burton Street, Darlinghurst
Image credit: Theeca | Instagram
Home of those lofty hotcakes you've probably seen splashed across your socials, Theeca is a charming inner-city cafe tucked just off Oxford Street.
On top of the creme fraiche and berry-topped hotcake you've definitely seen on your Instagram, popular picks include a meatball plate with roasted capsicum, eggplant and silky scrambled eggs, and the truffle mushroom omelette with whipped butter. Order up a matcha latte and take a seat under the swaying trees—this cafe has a lot of charm.
The details
Open: Monday–Sunday, 7.30am–3pm
HEARTHE
16 Douglas Street, Stanmore
HEARTHE is from the founder of Black Star Pastry, Christopher Thé—so the cake, viennoiserie, and patisserie counter of this cafe is creative and mouthwatering.
Sample sweets with Indigenous Australian ingredients like saltbush scones with desert lime marmalade and cream, fresh baguette sandwiches, sweet and savoury tarts, pies, and more alongside Little Marionette coffee.
For more substantial cafe-goers, the congee with smoked barramundi dumplings and pickled veggies is delicious, and there's a hot meal of the day (which you can pair with a beer, wine or creative cocktail if visiting around lunchtime).
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Saturday, 6am–3pm and Sunday from 7am
Bar Lucio
12 Lenthall Street, Kensington and 59 Birrell Street, Queens Park
Image credit: Bar Lucio | Instagram
You’ll find the counter at Bar Lucio cafes stacked high with Nutella bomboloni, pistachio cannoli, and coda d'aragosta, all of which are made in-house, thanks to owner and award-winning pizza maker Lucio Del Falco.
The menu also features savoury treats like eggplant parmigiana, porchetta panino, and focaccia stuffed with ricotta, pistachio and mortadella. What really sets Bar Lucio apart as a cafe, though, is its caffe del Nonno—Grandpa’s coffee—which is a thick and creamy chilled coffee drink originating in Naples in the 1800s.
The details
Open: Monday–Friday, 6.30am–3pm and Saturday–Sunday, 7am–3pm
Happyfield
96 Ramsay Street, Haberfield
Image credit: Happyfield | Instagram
Opened in 2020 by Jesse Orleans and Chris Theodosi, Happyfield is a yolk-yellow corner cafe serving up nostalgic food and a genuinely (as the name suggests) cheery vibe.
Alongside friendly service and menu items like the McLovin Muffin (a brekkie burger that will put your weekend Maccas order to shame), and an NYC Reuben with grilled New York-style pastrami, Happyfield is known best for its pancake stacks, which come sweet or savoury in stacks of up to 15.
If in doubt, The Happiest Meal plates up three pancakes, a McLovin Muffin and two golden hash browns—decision made.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Sunday, 7.30am–3.30pm
Edition Roasters Darling Square
60 Darling Drive, Haymarket
Image credit: Edition Roasters | Haymarket
Blending Japanese and Scandi style in a charcoal-toned space with sunken dining area, Edition Roasters' Darling Square location is one of the most beautiful cafes in Sydney.
As one of Sydney's best specialty roasters, Edition serves exclusively single-origin coffee, brewed up using methods including batch brew, pour over, Aeropress, and cold brew, while the food menu swings Japanese with salmon ochazuke, souffle pancakes topped with matcha and white chocolate mousse, and karaage chicken donburi.
THE DETAILS
Open: Sunday–Wednesday, 8am–4pm and Thursday–Saturday, 8am–10pm
The Grounds Of Alexandria
7a/2 Huntley Street, Alexandria
Image credit: The Grounds of Alexandria | Instagram
The Grounds is known for its magical installations, winding laneways, and inner-city escapism, and its signature cafe is on plenty of Sydney visitors' itineraries.
Everything here is served with an incredible degree of attention to presentation, so you'll enjoy the prettiest avocado toast, buttermilk pancakes or eggs Benedict at breakfast time, or dishes like seafood tagliatelle and wholesome garden bowls for lunch.
Leave time to check out the seasonal pop-up when you're done at the cafe—it's only accessible to paying customers of The Grounds.
The details
Open: Monday–Friday, 7.30am–4pm and Saturday–Sunday, 7.30am–4.30pm
The Bearded Baristaa
Shop 3/3 Barwon Park Road, St Peters
Image credit: The Bearded Baristaa | Instagram
The Bearded Baristaa overlooks the western side of Sydney Park, so it's perfect for a visit after a morning walk. Roll up to the cafe's front espresso bar for takeaway, which is where you'll typically find co-owner Khaled Alfas—and the cafe's namesake beard—or head out the back to chill in the leafy courtyard.
Here, you'll find Aussie cafe staples with a Middle Eastern twist, like loaded baklava toast with whipped ricotta, a spicy basturma Reuben sando, and sujuk hummus on toast.
The details
Open: Monday–Sunday, 7am–3pm
Paramount Coffee Project
80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Paramount Coffee Project | Instagram
You'll find Paramount Coffee Project in one of Surry Hills' stunning art deco Paramount House building, which is also home to Paramount House Hotel and A.P Bakery on the roof.
This mega aesthetic Surry Hills cafe takes a diplomatic approach to showcasing various coffee roasters, processes and methods here so you're always in for an excellent caffeine hit, and food that rotates seasonally and ticks the sweet, savoury, snack and substantial boxes (though the crumbed eggs are a perennial favourite).
There's indoor seating, sunny spots in the window for people-watching, a large communal table that's suited to whipping out the laptop, and coveted spots at the busy brew bar.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Sunday, 7am–4pm
Lunas
316 Stanmore Road, Petersham
Image credit: Lunas | Instagram
Lunas is an all-day cafe from the Sweet Belem Cake Boutique and Fich team, paying homage to its owners’—who just happen to be Bennelong alums—heritage and location in Sydney's Portuguese heart.
On the breakfast menu expect a twist on their iconic pastel de nata, and bread using a recipe from Jose’s mother, while lunch looks like beef espetadas (skewers) or piri piri chicken for sharing, all to be enjoyed in the modern dining hall or sunny courtyard.
The details
Open: Monday–Sunday, 7am–3pm
Glory Days
Bondi Pavilion, 3 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach
Image credit: Glory Days | Instagram
Just a few steps off the beach, Glory Days is an all-day Bondi cafe dishing out breakfast and lunch complete with uninterrupted views from the refurbished Bondi Pavilion, by hospo group The Good Atelier, whose Sydney venues include Glorietta in North Sydney and The Woolpack in Redfern.
Grab light and bright staples like acai bowls, breakfast burritos, and scrambled eggs with all the trimmings to go and nab a spot on the sand, pull up on the Pavilion terrace under toffee and cream-coloured umbrellas, or head inside to soak up the super cool John Utzon-inspired interiors.
THE DETAILS
Open: Thursday–Sunday, 6am–7pm and Monday–Wednesday, 6am–5pm
Bills
Various locations
Image credit: bills | Website
Any list of Sydney's best cafes is guaranteed to include the late Bill Granger's bills, which can be found in Darlinghurst, Bondi, Double Bay and Surry Hills.
All of the cafes have a slightly different feel but they're all bright, charming and, most importantly, home to the iconic ricotta hotcakes—some of the best pancakes in Sydney—corn fritters, and silky scrambled eggs.
DETAILS
433 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst: 7.30am–3pm
355 Crown Street, Surry Hills: 7am–10pm
79 Hall Street, Bondi: Monday–Sunday, 7am–10pm
16 Cross Street, Double Bay: 7am–10pm
Mecca Roastery & Cafe
26 Bourke Road, Alexandria
Image credit: Mecca | Instagram
True to its name, Mecca has been a central hub for coffee connoisseurs in Sydney for almost 20 years, and their Alexandria roastery cafe combines the best of the coffee-roasting world with Sydney cafe culture.
Seeking out coffee from top growers all over the world, you can explore the range of regions and processes from the brew or espresso bar, and pair your picks with cafe eats like the LA brekkie bowl with prosciutto, cherry tomato, burrata, rocket, poached egg, onion jam and native dukkah-spiced avocado or chilli scramble with red chilli ferment, umami dust and a nori shell on sourdough. Don't leave without trying one of the freshly baked lemon myrtle madeleines served with mascarpone.
The details
Open: Monday–Friday, 7.30am–3pm and Saturday–Sunday, 8am–3pm
Industry Beans
38–40 York Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Industry Beans | Instagram
Industry Beans set up its minimal Sydney CBD cafe in a stunning sandstone building back in 2019, serving excellent brews plus an all-day brunch menu laced with coffee; think coffee-spiced hollandaise on The Daily Muffin (with bacon, egg, hash brown and provolone on a fresh English muffin), and a coffee-rubbed Wagyu burger.
As well as flat whites and cappuccinos, the Bubble Cup—a bubble tea made with cold brew, coffee-soaked tapioca pearls, and a house-blended soy milk concoction—is a must-try caffeinated drink. Order yours in the OG flavour, or with a salted caramel, pandan, coconut or matcha twist.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Friday, 7am–3.30pm and Saturday–Sunday, 8am–3.30pm
Rolling Penny
583A King Street, Newtown
Image credit: Rolling Penny: Instagram
Huge on providing a sense of community, Rolling Penny is slotted in between the bric-a-brac shops and vintage stores that line South King Street, but this super special spot packs some seriously refined flavours into its menu.
We love the Brickfields focaccia topped with anchovies, caperberry, sobrassada, zucchini flower and soft boiled eggs, or unbeatable brekkie roll with smoked bacon, poached eggs, tarragon aioli, tomato relish and mixed greens. There's Madding Crowd coffee, beer on tap, and solid Bloody Marys—so you're covered for all sipping needs.
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Sunday, 7.30am–3pm
St Kai
38 Balmoral Road, Mortdale
St Kai is a Japanese-inspired cafe and coffee house bringing together two of our faves: ramen and caffeine. Other eats include a brekkie roll with Wagyu beef patty, fried egg, cheddar and Tokyo mac sauce or house-made bagels.
Owners Lachy and Lexy Allouche have successfully brought a slice of Sydney’s inner-city cafe scene and a dose of Japanese dining culture to their own "backyard" in South Sydney. Just note that it's coffee only on Mondays and Tuesdays (and we we'd visit on Sunday to try the R and D dish).
THE DETAILS
Open: Monday–Tuesday, 6.30am–1pm and Wednesday–Sunday, 7.30am–2.30pm
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Main image credit: Valentinas | Instagram
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