SYDNEY BREAKFAST
Bills, 433 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst +61 2 9360 9631359 (see map); 359 Crown St, Surry Hills +61 2 9360 4762 (see map); Queens Court, 118 Queens Street, Woollahra +61 2 9328 7997 (see map)
Three locations, all highly fulfilling in the coffee, breakfast and lunch department. We highly recommend the sweet corn fritters with roast tomato, spinach and bacon, or the ricotta hotcakes with fresh banana and honeycomb butter. If there’s two of you make sure you order one of each (with a pre-agreement to share if you’re the type that suffers from food envy).
Bondi Picnic, 101 Hall St, Bondi (twitter/facebook)
The apple of our eye, Bondi Picnic is the relatively but very local nice guys serving your early morning coffees and making your breakfast/brunch treats. Decor is great, the menu rules (also a kid friendly menu) and has to be up there for the best coffee contender in Bondi.
2204, 106 Addison Rd, Marrickville, +61 2 9569 2214 (see map)
Probably not going to be news to inner west siders who have their breakfast routines down-pat. But for those that don’t know, this one should be the one that pricks up your ears, why? Because the coffee is Little Marionette endorsed and super legit, the menu is cheap and very decently portioned. Why not hit this on a sunday and then Marrickville markets for a juice and some fresh produce. Perfect.
This local hangout has the kind of vibe where all the staff just got in from a 6 hour surf. They serve a very decent breakfast here and brew a good coffee. Acclaimed for their ‘smashed eggs’. Spend a long, lazy sunday morning here with the paper then stroll down the steps opposite to the beach.
Brown Sugar, 106 Curlewis St, Bondi Beach + 61 2 9130 1566 (see map)
This extensive breakfast menu strays from the boring list that has become all too familiar in Sydney cafes. Opt for their more exotic egg dishes; the Moroccan eggs, ‘mojo’ eggs, and the leek and herb omelette with feta, rocket and roast tomatoes are all winners. And don’t forget a side of their famous hashbrowns.
The Bunker, 399 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst +61 404 407 349 (see map)
Ask anyone and you’ll hear about very highly rated cups of coffee. The menu is nothing to sneeze at either, the Wagyu sandwich comes well recommended. Can be a little busy on weekend, and also a great people peepin’ position.
Fratelli Paradiso, 12-16 Challis Avenue, Potts Point +61 2 9357 1744 (see map)
Busy little Potts Point cafe that most locals would call home. Taste the rustic Italian menu, it has a different but welcome approach to what you should have for breakfast. Maurice Terzini highly recommends!
Flat White, 98 Holdsworth Street, Woollahra +61 2 9328 9922 (see map)
A cozy little cafe with a stunning menu. You might want to eat everything listed, (even the bircher sounds amazing) however the two pieces of brioche jammed with ham and slammed with an egg will kill any hangover dead in its tracks.
Bourke Street Bakery, 633 Bourke Street, Surry Hills, +61 2 9699 1011 (see map)
Well renowned Surry Hills establishment famous for sweet treats and baked goods. Perfect for grabbing a quick smash and dash Sausage Roll or pie, and a loaf of bread and some croissants. However if you can, grab a table down the side and make a morning of people watching while you graze your way through everything you can fit in.
Organic Produce, 487 Crown Street, Surry Hills +61 2 9319 4009(see map)
Prime people watching spot right in the center of the Crown Street action. It can get super busy, so try next door at FourAteFive (and vice versa) if there’s no tables. The organic bacon and egg roll with chutney and spinach and the mushrooms on toast are the business!
Bang Bang, 113 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills +61 2 9281 0018 (see map)
A cool little Surry Hills joint that delivers the ultimate hangover cure: a full English breakfast. They also make a mean Welsh Rarebit. The musical theme stems from its owner, British DJ Alan Thompson.
Four Ate Five, 485 Crown Street, Surry Hills +61 2 9698 6485 (see map)
Critically acclaimed by locals and media, 485 is no slouch in the breakfast game. Large servings so make sure you bring an empty stomach to this party. (if you can’t get seated, see previous entry^^)
3 Blue Ducks, 143 Macpherson Street, Bronte +61 2 9389 0010 (see map)
Something for the sleepy south-east bayside folk, is 3 Blue Ducks. SMH gave this the Best Breakfast award of 2011, if that doesn’t mean something to you, then how about the fact that all produce is grown locally or as greenly as humanly possible? Let your conscious run rampant into some black pudding and eggs.
Zilver, 477 Pitt Street, Haymarket +61 2 9211 2232 (see map)
If the craving for YumCha kicks you on that Sunday morning, let Zilver put it at ease. Don’t let the line out front deceive you, it moves as quickly as the tables turn-over. You’ll be eating baked pork buns and prawn dumplings in no time at all.
Tiger Mottle, 248 Glenmore Rd, Paddington + 61 402 520 516 (see map)
Pure breakfast indulgence. Try (and we mean all 3) the ‘Mottle Muesli’ with toasted maple, macadamia and pecan, the ‘Ginger Bread’ with maple yoghurt and ‘The Fancy Pants Bacon and Egg Sandwich’.
The Book Kitchen, 255 Devonshire St, Surry Hills + 61 2 9310 1003 (see map)
This place gets really busy on the weekend so have a back-up plan if you can’t get in. (Organic Produce, Four Ate Five, and Bills are all close by) Flick through the old cookbooks on their shelves while inspiring your tastebuds with their date and fig pikelets with poached pear, rhubarb and vanilla ricotta.
The Shop and Wine Bar, 78 Curlewis Street, Bondi Beach +61 2 9365 2600 (see map)
We’re not suggesting you utilize the wine list at this awesome little joint at breakfast time, but you should definitely have the BLT (get them to add a poached egg) and then go back in the afternoon for one of their outstanding cheese and meat plates and a bottle of rosé.
The Boathouse, Governor Phillip Park, Palm Beach + 61 2 9974 3868 (see map)
Overlooking the calm water on the Pittwater side of Palm Beach, the Boathouse is the most beautiful spot for breakfast on the north side of the bridge. Try the green eggs and ham and the breakfast bruschetta.
Earth Food Store Café (Organics), 81 Gould St, Bondi Beach +61 2 9365 5098 (see map)
The menu here is small, but you don’t need to look any further than the boiled eggs. Order a side of avocado and Persian fetta, smash everything together onto sourdough toast and then top it off with a squeeze of lemon and some chilli flakes.
The Cook’s Larder, 1/21-23 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach +61 2 9973 4370 (see map)
Within the one space of the Cook’s Larder you’ll find a food store, delicatessan, cooking school, and café. The breakfast menu changes seasonally, but look out for the ricotta and chive hotcakes with bacon and chilli jam and the date and raspberry porridge. This place is also great for lunch.
Café Mint, 579 Crown Street, Surry Hills +61 2 9319 0848 (see map)
Middle eastern breakfast like you won’t have tasted outside of the Middle East, this place is a taste sensation. Try the breakfast couscous or breakfast hummus served with za’atar toast, or just work your way down the menu week by week… it’s that good.
Café Giulia, 92 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale +61 2 9698 4424 (see map)
Order from the big blackboard and take a seat either in the window if there’s room or in the courtyard out the back. This local gem has a buzzing atmosphere at breakfast and lunch. For breakfast try a mango, lime, and strawberry whip and their Tuscan toast, but it’s all good.
Number 9, 9 Ward Avenue, Potts Point +61 2 9331 1399 (see map)
This intimate little café feels just like you’re dining in someone’s living room. The crispy edged pancakes with thick cream and house-made rose honey syrup are the absolute standout on this simple menu – don’t even think about not ordering them. Coffee is great too.
Sonoma Bakery and Café, 241 Glenmore Road, Paddington + 61 2 9331 3601; 2/9 Danks Street, Waterloo + 61 2 9699 1920; 215 Glebe Point Road, Glebe +61 2 9660 2116; 178 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach +61 2 9130 1124
Really good coffee, and pastries from Black Star in Newtown. Or you can indulge in a bowl of Sonoma’s honey spice or spelt maple muesli. And then there’s the breads of course.
Bird and Bear Boathouse, 1 Ithaca Road, Elizabeth Bay +61 411 03189 (see map)
Think of this as the inner-city’s take of The Boathouse in Palm Beach. Set on the wharf in Elizabeth Bay, this tranquil hub is full of breaky gems like chilli toast and young coconuts.
La Croix, 58/60 Macleay Street, Potts Point +61 2 8354 1020 (see map)
Stepping into this homeware shop slash café is like stepping into a chic Parisienne eatery. The coffee and delectable tartines are a must and the staff are as friendly as they come… trés magnifique!
Arras Too, 204 Clarence Street, Sydney +61 2 9283 1922 (see map)
9 to 5ers rejoice, as Arras Too promises to cure your mid-week hangovers. When facing work after a night out seems all too much, Arras Too provides killer coffee, granola on the run and mouth-watering Yorkshire Pork Pies and sausage rolls hot from the oven as early as 8am, which should see you ready to face the day by 9.
Elizabeth Bay Cafe, 3/45 Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay +61 2 9357 1705 (see map)
Great menu, lots to choose from and if you’re hungry the servings are more than enough to suffice. Coffee is great and they even have chipotle as a condiment option!
