There’s no doubt about it – when in Sydney, I plan my days around coffee and food. Luckily, this is the kind of city that whenever you visit, there will always be a host of new coffee joints and eatery adventures waiting for you to discover. Here are eight of the best Sydney Cafes I recommend, from my caffeine heart to yours:
Anvil Coffee Co.
Tiny, weathered and full of charm, this hole-in-the-wall ferry station turned cafe is unmissable. The coffee is out of this world, perhaps matched only by the floor-to-ceiling vista of the Neutral Bay shoreline and mint-green lapping waves. Next, there’s the small, but consciously curated menu (I recommend the Arabian Eggs). The best part is, you can catch a ferry direct from Circular Quay to Kirribilli Wharf in five minutes to reach this little haven. I spent my morning tapping away at my laptop, and didn’t want to leave. It’s surely the most beautiful place in all of Sydney to enjoy coffee and work from.
Kirribilli Commuter Wharf, Holbrook Avenue, Kirribilli
The Paramount Coffee Project
Housed in the old Paramount Film offices, in the heart of chic Surry Hills, is this beautiful space where minimalist is king. We’re talking wall-mounted bikes, white walls, air plants, buffed concrete and exposed brick, bathed in morning light. Basically, you’re walking into real-life Pinterest. I got the muesli and had a serious case of avocado regret (my blogger brunch companion clearly knew better than me). If you’re a silver MacBook toting type, you’ll be right at home here.
80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills
The Boathouse – Balmoral Beach
An oceanside gem for the discerning bruncher. Here, you’ll find bountiful chopping boards laden with fruit, coffees dusted with anchor-shaped cocoa, seagulls perched beside you, bountiful vases of seasonal flowers, and crates of fresh fruit. Expect crowds – but really, having to wait for a table and queue to order your food is not all that bad with the shimmering water surrounding you.
2 The Esplanade, Mosman
The Grounds of Alexandria
If there were such a place as an Instagrammer’s heaven, this would be it. Once home to the Four’N Twenty Pie Factory, this place is now a florist, coffee roastery, ‘potting shed’ eatery, juice pop-up bar and cubby house, with a resident pig (named Kevin Bacon), ducks and an organic garden. Perpetually busy (but understandably so) – I could quite possibly live here.
Building 7, 2 Huntley Street, Alexandria
Bread + Circus Canteen
Right around the corner from The Grounds is another cafe oasis, begging for your camera to capture. Here, you’ll find pastel pink plates, pineapples sitting pretty on tables, and wooden crates filled with butternut pumpkins, stacked just so. A daily changing menu boasts organic produce served in this roomy, refurbished warehouse. Go there for breakfast- but be warned: you’ll probably also stay for morning tea and lunch.
21 Fountain Street, Alexandria
Three Blue Ducks
Perched up the hill from Bronte Beach, you’ll find this happy hideaway for sustainability-minded foodies, run by Bronte locals Sam and Chris. You’ll also find beautiful service, a casual beachside vibe, fairtrade coffee and a kitchen garden. It’s the best place to relax and refuel after walking the Bondi to Bronte seaside trail. If you’re not visiting Sydney anytime soon, don’t fret – you can get their cookbook and cook this goodness from home.
143 Macpherson Street, Bronte
Porch and Parlour
As I walked in to this tiny, bustling North Bondi mecca, I spotted Matt Moran casually eating his breakfast in the back corner, and knew I was onto a winner. The gorgeous drinks pictured are simply coconut flesh, pineapple/mango, mint, chia and ice, blended. I can’t even! (read: delicious beyond description) Get the Green Brekky Bowl, and expect a fun atmosphere and quintessential Bondi vibe.
17/110 Ramsgate Avenue, Bondi Beach
Bootsdarling
This inner-city oasis is the perfect place to order a pot of tea and sink into a good book, propped at the windowsill, or make new friends while seated at the round communal table. Outside, you’ll find forest green subway tiles to beckon you inside the otherwise unassuming entrance. Inside, you’ll find timber-cladded walls, fern plants draped everywhere, exposed light bulbs and consistently beautiful coffee. For the record, this cafe was named after the imaginary friend of the owners when they were young (but ask them the full story). Coffee enthusiasts, this is your Sydney happy place.
333 South Dowling Street, Darlinghurst
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