Sydney is a food-lovers haven and the crème-de-la-crop is brunch—or as the Aussies call it, brekky. After three years in Los Angeles, I am no stranger to a good brunch, but Sydney blew me away. Check out this guide to the best brunch spots in and around Sydney.
The Grounds of Alexandria, Alexandria
About a 15-minute drive outside of central Sydney, The Grounds of Alexandria sits in a beautiful area that reminded me of the arts district. If you don’t spend enough time eating the delicious breakfast, you can spend hours roaming around the grounds, where you’ll find cute food carts and stalls on weekends along with a flower shop, beautiful water fountains, and even chickens and pigs. There are several venues within The Grounds that each have different menus. All are delicious but The Grounds Café is best for brunch and The Potting Shed is best for drinks and light bites.
Vida Surf Shop, Bondi
Best smoothie bowls you will ever have. If you’re not an acai lover, you will still have plenty of options. They can make an acai bowl out of any smoothie base you can imagine. Their main menu options range from a green kale-based smoothie bowl to a tropical pineapple-mango bowl. All bowls come topped with seasonal fruits and granola. The café also doubles as a surf shop where you can rent or purchase boards and wetsuits. It just doesn’t get more quintessential Bondi than this.
Bills, Bondi & Surry Hills
Check out Bills for a delicious breakfast menu and excellent ambiance. With several locations throughout the city, you are sure to find one close-by. They’ve perfected the avocado toast and their juices are delicious as well. They also serve lunch and dinner, but I found that breakfast is their specialty.
The Little Kitchen, Coogee
A relaxed local spot right off the main beach with a delicious menu. The avocado toast is served on a thick slice of sourdough bread, with a coat of house-made pesto, topped with fresh avocado and roasted tomatoes. I’ve tried many avocado toasts and this one has to be at least the top 5 of all time. The café is also a great spot for people watching and getting a more local experience.
Speedo’s Café, Bondi
Speedo’s café is a Bondi classic and may be one of the most photographed restaurants in Sydney. To say the food here is Instagram-worthy is an understatement. See the pancake stack pictured to understand why. Not only is the food beautiful, it is also incredibly delicious. Skip the vegan pancakes (although they do photograph well) and go for the avocado toast or the bowl.
Shuk, Bondi
This Israeli eatery is a delicious way to mix up the many classic modern Australian brekkies that are available around Sydney. The shakshuka is delicious and comes in a meat-hardy, vegetarian, and vegan option. The ‘Caulipower’ is my favorite dish—baked and pickled cauliflower in a creamy eggplant sauce with cranberries and pine-nuts mixed in. The menu makes for a great late brekky or lunch.
The Boathouse, Manly Beach
The Boathouse is a fun spot located right on Shelly Beach, which is only a 15-minute walk from the heart of Manly. Shelly Beach is a great spot away from the crowds that boasts some of the best snorkeling available to Sydney and, of course, The Boathouse. Get the fish and chips and a berry smoothie. You can sit on the patio in the sun and cool yourself off with a smoothie while you eat the best fish and chips you’ll ever have.