Mums are the best, it's a well-known fact. While she deserves to be celebrated every day, Mother's Day presents the perfect opportunity to express our appreciation with a unique experience she'll never forget.
From high teas to long lunches, set menus and beautiful brunches, Urban List has found the best experiences to spoil Mum with in Sydney/Eora this Mother's Day. Seize the chance to get in Mum's good books for the rest of the year and maybe even clinch the title of Favourite Child once and for all.
Here are the best things to do with Mum for Mother's Day in Sydney.
The Charles Brasserie & Bar
66 King Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: The Charles Brasserie & Bar | Supplied
Raise a glass to Mum at The Charles Brasserie and Bar and treat her to an afternoon tea experience with sweets crafted by in-house pâtissiers. Afternoon tea runs 3pm–5pm and offers Jamón ibérico madeleines with savoury chantilly, warm comté custard tarts, and a few selections from The Charles' roving dessert trolley with cakes, tarts, chocolates, macarons and more.
The Charles will also host Mother's Day lunch and dinner with their a la carte menu in full force.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Afternoon tea or a la carte lunch or dinner
When: Sunday 12 May (lunch from 12pm, afternoon tea from 3pm)
Cost: $79pp, $99pp includes a glass of NV Chandon Blanc de Blancs, $110pp includes a glass of champagne
Four Hundred
Greenwood Plaza Rooftop, 36 Blue Street, North Sydney
Image credit: Four Hundred | Supplied
Spend some quality time with Mum at North Sydney's Four Hundred rooftop bar and restaurant for Mother's Day, when you can get in on a three-hour jewellery-making session with the guidance of professionals from FinerRings.
You'll take home an initial necklace as well as pearl and disc cluster earrings, and enjoy a Mexican grazing board with a half-bottle of Mumm champagne.
THE DETAILS
What you get: A three-hour class, grazing board, and half-bottle of champagne (each)
When: Saturday 11 May, from 4.30pm
Cost: $120pp
Gelato Messina Chocolate Bars
Order online now
Image credit: Gelato Messina | Supplied
Gelato Messina doesn't do anything by halves, and certainly not Mother's Day. Add a delicious note to Mum's special day with Messina's handmade custom chocolate bars in fresh flavours for the occasion. Made in-house by Messina's chocolatier team, flavours include cannoli and hazelnut with a chocolate biscuit base, cannoli cream and hazelnut praline; passionfruit yuzu caramel; strawberry cheeesecake enrobed in strawberry chocolate; and Earl Grey.
An eight-pack of chocolates will set you back $55 and you can order online for delivery to your door (or hers).
The Jackson Mother's Day High Tea
King Street Wharf, Barangaroo
Image credit: The Jackson | Supplied
Award-winning dessert queen Anna Polyviou is taking over The Jackson, a $15 million superyacht for a sweet Mother's Day High Tea on the stunning Sydney Harbour. This unique event is the perfect way to treat Mum, kicking off with a welcome glass of Chandon rosé, before jumping into a bespoke high tea menu crafted by the talented pastry chef.
Consisting of sweet treats and savoury bites, the food lineup has got us excited to try Polyviou's Berried Hearts; layers of coconut dacquoise, almond crunch, raspberry compote and vanilla bavarois, as well as the poached ginger prawn tacos with a bloody mary cocktail sauce. Whipping up a wonderful day of desserts with live acoustics and a secret surprise DJ sesh to end the day, we can't think of a better way to celebrate.
THE DETAILS
What you get: High tea, three-hour cruise, welcome glass of Chandon Rosé
When: Sunday 12 May, from 11.30am
Cost: $175pp, $155 per teenager (13–17 years), $79 per child (3–12 years)
Beau
1 Fracks Lane, Surry Hills
Image credit: Beau | Instagram
Up your Mother's Day lunch game at Beau, an intimate contemporary Australian restaurant partnering with local florist My Violet so you can pre-book a beautifully designed bouquet for your table to surprise Mum when she arrives.
The laneway restaurant is hosting a set menu with dishes like a spin on crispy hash browns with shishito peppers and toum (a Lebanese garlic sauce); rigatoni all vodka with spatchcock; and a classic pavlova, pumping with passionfruit and topped with hazelnut and chocolate sorbet. Beau has also teamed up with Go-To Skincare to offer complimentary Mother's Day gifts.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Set menu, gift from Go-To
When: Sunday 12 May, from 12pm
Cost: $150pp
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Libertine Parfumerie
140 Oxford Street, Paddington
Image credit: Libertine | Supplied
Can't decide between getting Mum perfume or jewellery for Mother's Day this year? Get her both with Libertine Parfumerie's exclusive perfume and jewellery masterclass. Learn from Libertine Parfumerie's founder Nick Smart and The Cut Jewellery's founder Talitha Cummins as they share the art of pairing perfume profiles with gorgeous gems.
On arrival, indulge in a complimentary glass of champers, setting the tone for a night of elegance and enlightenment. Tickets include a $69 perfume voucher, as well as 15% off any piece of jewellery, both redeemable on the night in-store.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Masterclass, champagne on arrival, vouchers
When: Wednesday 8 May, 6.30pm
Cost: $69pp
Mother's Day Mini Market
Cavalier 1.0, Shop 1/34, Oxley Street, St Leonards
Image credit: Cavalier 1.0 | Supplied
Artisan coffee store and café Cavalier 1.0 is putting a Mother's Day spin on its monthly mini market heroing North Sydney producers, makers and artists.
Swinfg by with Mum to grab a coffee and toastie while browsing treats from Fleur De Hell Flowers, Well Drawn Mother’s Day Cards, Maggios Pastries and Butter Boy Bake Cookies (or pick something up to spoil her with later in the day).
THE DETAILS
What: A market with stalls from local artisans
When: Sunday 12 May, 7am–2pm
Cost: Free to visit, prices vary
North Bondi Fish
120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi
Image credit: North Bondi Fish | Supplied
Calling all seafood-loving, good time-hungry mummas. North Bondi Fish is putting on a four-course lunch and dinner for Mother’s Day featuring the freshest selection of seafood. Dive into a sashimi spread of salmon pastrami and crispy calamari, then hit up the mains for grilled barramundi and swimmer crab linguine. Dessert is an apple tarte Tatin with crème fraîche ice cream, and there are options for vegos and kids too.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Four-course set menu for lunch or dinner, two-hour seating
When: Sunday 12 May
Cost: $89pp, $30 per child
Bar Louise
135 Enmore Road, Enmore
Treat Mum to a Spanish sojourn for Mother's Day lunch or dinner. Bar Louise is doing a Mother's Day set menu featuring some beloved dishes, with add-ons available to really treat Mum, and a dedicated kids menu for those with smaller ones in tow.
The set menu ticks off dishes like corn and spinach croquettes, jamon Serrano, kingfish crudo with charred eggplant, honey and sherry-glazed lamb, and a stellar dessert of depp-fried brioche with cinnamon and chocolate custard.
The details
What you get: A banquet-style spread
When: Sunday 12 May, lunch from 12pm and dinner from 5pm
Cost: $90pp
Icebergs Dining Room and Bar
1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach
Image credit: Icebergs Dining Room and Bar
Celebrate Mother's Day with an unforgettable dining experience overlooking Bondi’s iconic beach at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar. Enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner with a perfectly curated coastal menu by head chef Alex Prichard, including a complimentary Chandon Garden Spritz on arrival.
Brunch begins with a selection of freshly baked pastries, breads and preserves. Then, delve into mains such as Icebergs' pesto eggs, bacon and crisp potato or whipped ricotta, avocado and seaweed bruschetta. Finish with a delightfully tart rhubarb, puffed rice and cereal milk panna cotta for dessert.
Lunch and dinner offer shared antipasti featuring yellowfin tuna and risotto with porcini and capers, with main courses such as ink calamarata pasta with spanner crab or charcoal-grilled fish. There's a decadent chocolate, coffee and mascarpone dessert and pretty petit fours to finish.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Brunch, lunch or dinner set menu, Chandon Garden Spritz on arrival
When: Sunday 12 May
Cost: $120pp for brunch, $240pp for lunch and dinner, $25 per child
Me-Gal
2A Bradleys Head Road, Mosman
Image credit: Steven Woodburn | Supplied
Dine against the sweeping backdrop of Sydney's spectacular harbour at Me-Gal, located in Taronga Wildlife Retreat. While you won't be dining with animals, you'll enjoy a vibrant three-course culinary journey highlighting local produce and native ingredients, complete with a glass of NV Maison Mumm x Tasmania Brut Prestige.
Start with albacore tuna ceviche before digging into mains like eye fillet with cauliflower, black garlic and walnuts and butterflied chicken, Geraldton wax, chestnut and pickled muntries for mains. Dessert is a moist olive oil cake, strawberry, red fruit lawn, cocoa soil, fresh berries and beetroot grass, rightfully named Mum's Flower Garden.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Three-course set menu, glass of NV Maison Mumm x Tasmania Brut Prestige
When: Sunday 12 May
Cost: $160pp
Franca
Shop 2/81 Macleay Street, Potts Point
Image credit: Franca | Supplied
For a decadent Mother's Day celebration, Franca Brasserie is offering French luxury in the heart of Potts Point. Begin with a bellini on arrival before delving into a three-course menu featuring classical French dishes and delicate petit fours to finish.
Pick from 250 wines to make the day even more special, from French reds originating from the Bordeaux wine region or local Australian and New Zealand picks. Sit back and relax amongst the sea of red velvet—because Mother's Day is sorted.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Three-course set menu, bellini on arrival
When: Sunday 12 May
Cost: $125pp
Poetica Bar & Grill
Mezzanine Level/1 Denison Street, North Sydney
Image credit: Poetica Bar & Grill | Supplied
Poetica Bar and Grill is opening its doors on a Sunday for the first time to host a refined and relaxed Mother's Day lunch and dinner. Take your pick from Poetica's usual menu with favourites like flambadou oysters and wood-grilled southern calamari with shiso and parsley, or choose a few specials for Mother's Day.
Poetica's head chef Connor Hartley-Simpson has crafted a Murray Cod dish swimming in grilled butter hollandaise served with fermented cabbage, and bar manager Kieran Lee has concocted a special spritz for the occasion blending Poor Toms strawberry gin, orgeat and Davidson plum liqueur, topped with native tea soda.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Lunch or dinner with a special dish and spritz offer
When: Sunday 12 May, from 12pm
Bistro George
Level 1/176 George Street, Sydney CBD
Get comfy because Bistro George will take you on a culinary journey this Mother's Day with a four-course long lunch featuring nine dishes. Kick off with spanner crab crostini served with potato ciabatta and Ora King salmon gravlax (cured salmon) with parsley, celery, apple, treacle soda, bread, horseradish cream, followed by chargrilled ocean trout and broccoli rabe with a creamy Champagne butter sauce. Dessert is, of course, on the cards; a passionfruit tart with Coppertree Farms cultured cream and Alto olive oil.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Four-course menu
When: Sunday 12 May, 12pm–4.30pm
Cost: $120pp, $30 per child
Mother's Day With Merivale
Various Locations
Image credit: mimi's | Instagram
If you've ever felt like the lesser sibling, now's your chance to get in Mum's good books. Merivale is rewarding tables of six or more with $100 and $200 Merivale e-gift cards at various venues. Tuck into Totti's classic woodfired bread, burrata and tomato or treat Mum to an Asian feast at Mr Wong to receive a $100 voucher. Take her to the beautiful Berts Bar and Brasserie in Newport or head shoreside to mimi's in Coogee to steal a $200 voucher. Discover all the venues you could to take Mum to and receive a voucher here.
THE DETAILS
What you get: $100 or $200 Merivale e-gift cards at various venues
When: Sunday 12 May
Cost: Free with tables of six or more
Nico
450 Miller Street, Cammeray
Image credit: Nico | Supplied
Transport Mum to Italy for a sliver of the price with Nico’s Festa Della Mamma, an Italian share-style feast. The Italian restaurant in Cammeray is putting on an exclusive Mother's Day lunch with a set menu and a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival for mums.
Indulge in starters like burrata with beetroot and plums paired with homemade focaccia, before delving into ocean trout crudo, pumpkin and ricotta raviolo with brown butter and Sardinian-style seafood fregola for mains, and pistachio tiramisu for dessert.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Italian share-style lunch with a complimentary glass of bubbles for Mum on arrival
When: Sunday 12 May
Cost: $89pp, additional $60pp for a matching wine flight
Chez Blue
599 Darling Street, Rozelle
Image credit: Chez Blue | Supplied
If classy French vibes are what you're after this Mother's Day, Chez Blue is the best place to take Mum to be boujee on a budget. This relaxed Rozelle bistro is offering a complimentary glass of bubbles to mums on arrival, plus a full-on French dining experience that will transport you to Paris without breaking the bank.
Let Chez Blue take care of the food selects with their two-course and three-course menus available for dinner or lunch (alongside the usual a la carte menu) with local favourites like gruyere and parmesan soufflé; and barramundi Grenobloise (a lemony French sauce with capers). Savour the afternoon or evening with a dessert of crème brulée and lemon tart.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival for Mum, your choice of a la carte, two-course, or three-course menu
When: Sunday 12 May, from 12pm
Cost: $55pp for two courses, $65pp for three courses (or a la carte)
Botanic House
Royal Botanic Garden, 1 Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Botanic House | Instagram
Escape the hustle and bustle of CBD restaurants and head to the relaxing Royal Botanic Gardens for an exclusive Mother's Day Celebration at Botanic House. Treat Mum to a deluxe package with a welcome cocktail or mocktail that will ease you into a beautiful long lunch or wholesome dinner with a bottle of premium wine, plus a dreamy Mother's Day dessert.
The Modern Asian tasting menu designed by renowned chef Luke Nguyen stars shared entrees and mains such as tea-smoked duck breast, tempura banana blossom, watercress, pickled vegetable and Asian herbs salad; and twice-cooked master stock chicken served with spicy satay sauce. Dessert is always a must-have for these types of occasions, and on the list is an innovative Thai milk tea cake with almond cookies, soy sauce ice cream and seasonal fruits.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Lunch or dinner tasting menu, a glass of bubbles on arrival, optional deluxe upgrade with a bottle of wine and dessert
When: Sunday 12 May
Cost: $135pp for the lunch tasting menu, $155pp for the dinner tasting menu, $45 per child
Golden Sheaf
429 New South Head Road, Double Bay
Head to Double Bay for a fun day out with Mum and dine in the leafy courtyard of the Golden Sheaf. With a glass of bubbles in hand on arrival and a fresh-cut flower to take home, she's set to have a great time. Live acoustic entertainment will play throughout the arvo, so bring the kids and pup along to soak up the day.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Complimentary glass of champagne for Mum from 12pm, a flower with every booking
When: Sunday 12 May, from 12pm
Cost: Free entry
Lana
Level 1/5-7 Young Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Lana | Supplied
For fusion-lovin' mummas, Lana will open its doors for a Mother's Day lunch blending Italian and Asian flavours. Start with snacks like tuna tartare with pear, chilli and nori crostino; and stracciatella with persimmon, shiso and sesame. followed by a Berkshire pork cutlet char siu with a Diane sauce, or King George whiting cotoletta with yuzu brown butter and capers. Finish with yoghurt panna cotta, mandarin, cumquat and torta di ricotta.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Shared set menu feast, kids menu also available
When: Sunday 12 May
Cost: $149pp
High Tea at Hyatt Regency
Lobby Lounge, 161 Sussex Street, Sydney CBD
Blending the things mothers love most (apart from their kids), Hyatt Regency Sydney reimagines beloved high tea with a botanical gin-centric twist. The menu boasts Australian native flavours such as a fig eucalyptus jam served with warm scones, sticky pork belly bao with wattle seed slaw and gin-infused scallops, in addition to a smorgasbord of desserts.
Pick from a range of The Rabbit Hole loose-leaf teas or try a variety of local gin-based cocktails all crafted with Fever-Tree tonic. Our pick is the Sunrise G&T; Poor Toms pina colada gin and coconut jelly topped with Fever-Tree elderflower tonic.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Gin High Tea, two G&Ts, a choice of tea or coffee
When: Sunday 12 May, from 2.30pm
Cost: $95pp
ESQ Bar and Dining
Shop 1-4 Level 2/455 George Street, Sydney CBD
Nestled in beautiful heritage Queen Victoria Building, ESQ Bar and Dining is putting on an afternoon of decadence with their Mother's Day Shared Feast. Live sounds of sultry jazz will fill the room, accompanying two feasting menus offering elegant bistro-style dishes that are perfect for enjoying with family.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Shared feast lunch menu with a live jazz band
When: Sunday 12 May, from 12pm
Cost: $99pp for the Queen Texas Tasting, $80pp for the Sans Prohibition menu
Odd Culture
266 King Street, Newtown
Image credit: Odd Culture | Supplied
Wine and dine Mum over lunch or dinner with some quality family time at Odd Culture. The Newtown venue is open all day to accommodate your celebrations, offering a glass of prosecco on arrival with those who book their Mother's Day banquet.
The menu ticks off beer bread with sourdough-miso butter; picked mussels with XO sauce and fennel smoked cream, and chicken flatbread with pickles and garlic sauce. You can't end dinner without dessert, and the tiramisu at Odd Culture is next level.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Banquet menu, complimentary glass of prosecco on arrival
When: Sunday 12 May, from 12pm
Cost: $75pp
Skyfeast
Level 4/108 Market Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Skyfeast | Supplied
Skyfeast takes brunch to new heights, offering revolving 360-degree views of Sydney's skyline from the iconic Sydney Tower Eye, and it's the perfect pick for Mother's Day, because what mum doesn't love brunch with a view?
Tuck into a buffet-style meal and choose from a huge selection of dishes from various cuisines while taking in the incredible view, and enjoy a complimentary glass of Mumm Marlborough or a non-alcoholic beverage of your choice on arrival to kick start a great day.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Mother's Day buffet brunch, glass of Mumm Marlborough or non-alcoholic beverage on arrival, chocolate box to take home
When: Sunday 12 May
Cost: $145pp for an interior table package, $160pp for a window table package and $45 per child
Shaffa
80 Albion Street, Surry Hills
Image credit: Shaffa | Instagram
Shaffa is the perfect place to take Mum for an extraordinary Mother's Day lunch. Serving up magic Middle Eastern food, Shaffa's special Mother's Day set menu starts with a welcome cocktail for Mum and a signature spice jar for her to take home.
Expect incredible dishes featuring herbaceous flavours, including bonito with salsa verde, pomegranate-braised lamb shoulder and a semolina cake soaked with orange blossom syrup for dessert. Soak up the afternoon with Shaffa's wine pairings or arrange a special bottle for Mum in advance with help from Shaffa's sommelier.
THE DETAILS
What you get: Set menu Middle Eastern feast, welcome cocktail, a jar of Shaffa's signature spices
When: Sunday 12 May
Cost: $119pp, additional $64 for wine pairings
Looking for more Mother's Day ideas? Check out
- Best Cafes in Sydney Right Now
- Sydney's Best Bottomless Brunches
- The Best Restaurants In Sydney Right Now
Main image credit: The Charles | Supplied