If combining your morning coffee with a good helping of playtime, fresh air, and sunshine is the goal today, you've come to the right place. Sydney has a neat collection of cool cafes near playgrounds that will keep the kids entertained and you thoroughly caffeinated.
While we could direct you to park kiosks or the closest cafe by distance, here we've taken a more considered route. Instead, we are listing off the nearest cafes with top-tier coffee and menus that'll make park hangs and outdoor time with the fam so much sweeter.
Here are the best cafes near playgrounds in Sydney right now.
Valentina's
Marrickville | Marrickville Park Playground
Yes, you can combine a visit to one of the Inner West's coolest new cafes with a visit to one of the area's coolest playgrounds. On Livingstone Road in Marrickville, Valentina's is an emerald green retro-inspired all-day diner serving diner classics like bottomless filter coffee, warm Snickerdoodle cookies, and club sandwiches. The menu is an absolute dream—but it also happens to be down the street from Marrickville Park and the much-loved Marrickville Park Playground. Here, there's a tube slide, in-ground trampolines, a merry-go-round, and heaps more.
Cafe Mckenzie
Randwick | Inglis Park Adventure Playground
The Inglis Park Adventure Playground is definitely a highlight on the Sydney playground scene. The awe-inspiring structure features silver double-helix slides, swings, climbing nets, and crawling tunnels—and it also happens to be next to one of Sydney's great new dining precincts, Newmarket. Here, Cafe Mckenzie is a top pick for pre or post-park coffee. There's also MAYDE tea, milkshakes, smoothies, Strange Love sodas, and kombucha by Mailer Mcguire. To eat, you'll find breakfast classics like a simple avo on toast, a triple cheese and mushroom toastie, a coconut granola bowl, and lemon ricotta hotcakes.
The Bearded Baristaa
St Peters | Sydney Park Playground
Built into a new apartment block on the western side of Sydney Park—and a quick stroll away from the Sydney Park playground—The Bearded Baristaa is the perfect spot for a park pit stop. Roll up to the cafe's front espresso bar for takeaway, which is where you'll typically find co-owner Khaled Alfas—and his epic beard. If you're keen to stay a while, head out the back to chill in the leafy courtyard.
To eat, The Bearded Baristaa does cafe staples with a seriously delicious Middle Eastern twist. Think loaded baklava toast with whipped ricotta, honey, pistachio, and orange zest; a towering and spicy basturma Reuben sando; and sujuk hummus on toast with pickled onion and a fried egg. While the menu is worth a visit on its own—coffee at The Bearded Baristaa is a major highlight, with specialty blends and brews on offer daily. "When choosing Reformatory Caffeine Lab, we really took the time to narrow it down to what and who we felt was the most consistent," says Alfas.
Edition Coffee Roasters
Haymarket | Darling Quarter Playground
If it's an exceptional coffee you're after—and an exceptional playground—roll on down to the Darling Quarter Playground and make a pit stop at Edition Coffee Roasters along the way (it's a short five-minute stroll from the playground). These guys are one of Sydney's best specialty roasters, which means they aren't messing around when it comes to caffeine. Edition uses the best brewing techniques, including batch brew, pour-over, aero-press, Japanese drip, and cold brew. To eat, Edition's Scandi-Japanese fusion menu has turned heads over the years. Pop in for Nordic open sandwiches (smorrebrod) alongside bento boxes, katsu burgers, and jiggly soufflé pancakes.
Shortstop
Barangaroo | Barangaroo Reserve - Clyne Reserve
With picturesque views over Sydney Harbour—Barangaroo Reserve is one of the city's sweetest slices of green. Within the reserve is a small playground area called Clyne Reserve, complete with swings and plenty of shade. If you and the fam are headed here for a spot of playground fun, make a pit stop in Barangaroo proper for coffee and treats. While this sector of the city is jam-packed with incredible cafes and restaurants (see here), our go-to for excellent playground vibes is definitely Shortstop. These guys deliver the perfect combo of coffee and doughnuts—specifically, Market Lane espresso poured with organic milk and their own delightful doughnuts, made fresh daily with high-quality, natural ingredients. Grab a box to go and go and enjoy the sunshine!
Scramble & Bean
Rushcutters Bay | Rushcutters Bay Park Playground
Yep, the kiosk is a longtime favourite and popular pick for playtime at the Rushcutters Bay Park playground, but if you're here to try something new, the Scramble & Bean food truck is a fun alternative that'll definitely surprise and delight. This cute little caravan is typically parked down on Waratah Street right next to Reg Bartley Oval from Saturday to Monday from 9am to 1pm. As the name suggests, here you'll find coffee and fluffy, buttery, cheesy scrambled eggs topped with parmesan served with delicious organic sourdough bread from Brickfields. For $2 extra, you can get your scramble on a croissant. They’re also dishing up delicious gourmet four-cheese toasties which make the perfect comfort food or hangover cure.
Hungry for more? Check out Sydney's best kid-friendly cafes.
Image credit: Valentina's, Valentina's, Cafe Mckenzie, The Bearded Baristaa, Shortstop, Scramble & Bean