
Top 5 Places for Brunch in Sydney
Australia’s big cities contain enough cafe culture to kill a small horse, which can make it ridiculously hard to pick a spot to indulge at. The Sydney cafe scene isn’t as edgy and hip as Melbourne; more beach bumming integrated with city living which gives a relaxed vibe. The best places can be hidden in the inner-city suburbs, off the tourist-beaten track, but they can be worthy Melbourne café contenders.
Although Oscar Wilde says “Only dull people are brilliant at Breakfast”; we can safely assure you that in Australia, everyone’s brilliant at brunch.
Reuben Hills
The place to find great cafe spots is Surrey Hills. Reuben Hills is nestled here and has coffee that is served with precision and skills. Their menu is influenced by Central American cuisine which is stodgy enough to fulfil the hungriest traveller. “Really f*cking Great Fried Chicken” with chilli in a basket can be served with “Doggs Breakfast” (ice cream sandwich with salted caramel) for dessert. If you hear funky 80’s music coming from Bourke Street, you’ve found Cowbell 808. Vinyl records stack up by the counter amongst other funky 80’s paraphernalia (boom boxes, basket ball hoops). Everything’s made fresh on the premises, and a perfect hangover cure has to be the Wagyu Burger with onion rings. Fancy something odd? Ricotta hotcakes with bacon ice cream. Smoky.
61 Albion Street, Surry Hills
www.reubenhills.com.au
2042 Café and Deli
2042 Cafe and Deli has glowing reviews constantly. It means it’s always busy but its affordable tasty nature will continue to pull in the crowds. The 19th Century corner store that was beautifully renovated to produce Revolver still features the ornate wrap around balcony. Loved by locals and tucked away from the tourists, it’s focused on brunch and will never disappoint.
403-405 King Street, Sydney
www.2042.net.au
The Town Bike Pitstop
The gentrified suburb of Redfern now has less dodgy men on street corners and more hip vibes with original cafes, like The Town Bike Pitstop. This chilled cafe sells bikes hanging from the walls and has a mechanic round the back to tune up your fixie while you sip your latte. The Dutch themed menu includes sandwiches, pies, pastries and cookies.
156 Abercrombie Street, Sydney
www.townbikepitstop.com.au
Coffee, Tea And Me
Similar to The Town Bike Pitstop, Coffee, Tea and Me’s discreet shop front contains the most awesome vintage seating you’ll ever plant your booty on. Pull up an ironing board or perch on bike seats (their comfort is debateable) to dig into their limited menu. Yes, it’s small but well-done with great coffee and atmosphere.
93B Redfern Street, Redfern
www.coffeeteaandme.com.au
The Wedge Expresso
The Wedge Espresso in Glebe has no coffee amateurs here. They even have coke slushies with infused cold-drip coffee! Great sandwiches and fig and ricotta on toast highlight the quality of their Luxe Bakery bread (Newtown). Get on their heart attack breakfast platters or have a bit of health kick.