Best Brunch in Sydney

The Boathouse Palm Beach is spreading envy among other Northern Beaches restaurants with its front row views of Palm Beach and Pittwater. Add to this the shabby-chic-meets-modern decor, a succinct breakfast and lunch menu and a front store that delights visitors with fresh fruit, flowers, coffee, homemade ice-cream, organic beverages, breads, jams, cheeses and nuts. Alfresco dining offers three alternatives: picnic-style on the front lawns, on the white chairs of the shady veranda overlooking the water or at grey picnic tables on the pier.

Overlooking Middle Harbour at Balmoral Beach on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, Bathers' Pavilion is the place to take visitors in Sydney. Even locals will be quietly chuffed by elegant dining room which exudes beachside elegance with a 1920s art deco soul. Expect a refined Mediterranean-inspired menu, with seafood the star of the menu. Savour the meal and the service, then linger for the view, the rare wines and the digestives. The adjoining Bistro serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a more casual atmosphere. Betel Leaf, upstairs on the Terrace serves modern Thai food with dine in and takeaway choices.

RESTAURANT Lunch Wednesday-Sunday & Dinner Wednesday-Saturday

BISTRO Breakfast daily 8am-10am, lunch daily from 11:45am & dinner 7 days a week from 5:30pm

BETEL LEAF  Lunch & Dinner Thurs – Sun

Former Momofuku Seiobo chef Jihwan Choi (Banksii, Daylesford’s Lake House) have opened the Mayflower Café, bringing a luxurious and prestige brunch spot to Darlinghurst. Now the dream-like dining room pays tribute to the building’s origin encompassing bold art deco paintings, lavish french floristry and pink marble finishes. Bringing flavours from all over the world, caviar and truffle a speciality, Kevin and Christain’s mission is to create delicacies bursting with flavour and depth that are inspired by works of art and the beautiful floristry that surrounds.

With a reputation to uphold and history on its side you can pretty much assume greatness from breakfast through to dinner at Bills Surry Hills. If you dare abandon the brunch phenomenon and venture in at night time, the polished team of chefs and wait-staff continue to delight with a super fresh and modern dinner menu.

One of Sydney’s most popular weekend destinations, The Grounds of Alexandria is home to a café, coffee roastery, artisan bakery, florist, small animal farm, weekend markets and a stunning event space in Sydney's west while. The café is encased in a rustic, industrial and heritage-listed warehouse while ingredients on the menu are sourced from their own organic kitchen garden. Expect to wait for a table on the weekends or relax in the garden and order from one of the various food and drink carts dotted throughout the venue. The Grounds of Alexandria is extremely child-friendly, with farm animals and open areas for the kids to roam free.

Located at Bondi, around 2 minutes drive to Bondi Beach. 

The owners behind Cronulla's successful Blackwood Cronulla have opened Blackwood Bondi, offering an all day menu as well as cocktail and craft beer lists. The menu is seasonal with Mediterranean and Asian flavours. 

Sunday – Wednesday 7AM – 4PM and Thursday – Saturday 7AM – 10PM

Brown Sugar is located a short walk from Bondi Beach and is a neighbourhood cafe by day and candlelit bistro by night. Both settings offer guests the best in Mod Oz dining, with a focus on local organic produce. There is all-day brunch menu to get you going but dinner is where the kitchen really comes into its own and everything from the fish pie to the Tasmanian rib-eye comes recommended.

Cabana Bar is positioned perfectly in Sydney's Martin Place, bringing a little summer holiday vibe to patrons.

A place for cocktails, great food and good times and an escape from the everyday.

Open Monday-Saturday 11.30am am-late

Just 10 minutes' walk from Bondi's famous surf and sand is Shuk, a corner cafe built on the tradition of the Israeli marketplace. The menu is directly influenced by Arabic, Turkish, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. Shuk lives up to the hustle and bustle of its namesake, with fresh local ingredients poured into a Mediterranean-inspired menu, plus there's pastries and breads that are baked on site every day. Grab a coffee and choose a treat from the artisan deli counter if you're on the run.

Photography: Nikki To