The best cafes in Sydney are where good food, great coffee and a sense of place collide.
The best cafes in Sydney aren’t just about good coffee. The city has zero tolerance for average coffee and high expectations when it comes to breakfast and brunch. From beachside brunch spots to hidden laneway gems, here’s our insider guide to the best cafes in Sydney to sip, snack and people-watch.
The shortlist
Hottest new opening: Superfreak
Best coffee: The Grounds Coffee Factory
Best pastries: Petit Loulou
Best work-friendly atmosphere: bills
Family-friendly spot: Genovese Coffee House
Hidden gem: Flour Coffee & Doughroom
Best for dog-friendly dining: Havenstone
Best farm-to-table: Three Blue Ducks
BEST CAFES IN SYDNEY’S INNER SOUTH
Genovese Coffee House
The inner-south suburb of Alexandria has undergone somewhat of a renaissance over the past decade with venues such as Genovese Coffee House helping it up its game. The Italian-inspired cafe brews an espresso made from beans lovingly roasted in-house, which you can down in one at the bar, Italian-style. Arrive by bicycle to the converted 1900s warehouse so you can pop a pancetta, mushroom, provolone picante panini in your basket to go. While the light-filled cafe – all cosy couches and upcycled materials – may feel homey, make no mistake: this is a seriously good contender for best cafe in Sydney’s inner west.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Warehouse chic
Location: 1/3 Lawrence Street, Alexandria
The Grounds Coffee Factory
Few venues have shaped Sydney’s cafe culture like The Grounds . The pioneering brand designs its venues to draw people in by creating beautiful spaces to hang. And while Eveleigh might have long shrugged off its gritty reputation, the industrial vibes continue to fuel the area. The boundless creativity of The Grounds Group is on show here at The Grounds Coffee Factory, where the charm of the working roastery lies in its ability to blend its colourful blue-collar past with forward-thinking creativity. Join a workshop or coffee masterclass and connect with fellow geeks at the vibrant caff where The Factory Breakfast is the go.
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Uber-cool Eveleigh
Location: Bay 4a/2 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh
Lune Croissanterie Rosebery
Leave your keto lifestyle behind and head to Kate Reid’s famed croissanterie in Rosebery to plough through a pile of her famed flaky croissants. Expect a nouveau-warehouse aesthetic at the working bakery where the heady scent of fresh-baked croissants fills the air. Act cool as you pick up your online order for a Mixed Box of 6 Classics so you can binge on buttery baked goods in peace. Lune Croissanterie has also opened a sister venue in Sydney’s CBD.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Williamsburg warehouse vibes
Location: Entry via Mentmore Ave, 115/151 Dunning Ave, Rosebery
Three Blue Ducks
It’s okay to wear your yoga pants to Three Blue Ducks, Rosebery . You’ll be in good company at the converted industrial warehouse, which is a vibey spot for crunchy Eastern Suburbs mums to congregate post-savasana. Take your good attitude off the mat and channel it into good vibes while you are waiting in line for your skinny latte. Come to the contemporary cantina – all oversized raffia lanterns, hanging greenery and exposed brickworks – for bougie dishes such as the goat’s curd, pickled onion, stone fruit and sourdough crisp.
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Industrial-chic
Location: 1/85 Dunning Avenue, Rosebery
Black Star Pastry
Yes, Black Star Pastry is still paradise for Instagrammers. But the bakery claiming the title for the world’s most Instagrammed cake is not just about pretty; it’s also about tasty. Yes, the creations on show in the display cabinet make this a legit culinary adventure for food hounds. But you’ll also find locals acting all low-key about popping in for a loaf of crusty sourdough. The second thing you’ll notice is the prevalence of tourists snapping photos of the strawberry and watermelon cake with the cult following. Branch out and try a Young Henry’s beer and brisket pie or Persian orange cake.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Cannery cool
Location: C1/85-113 Dunning Ave, Rosebery
BEST CAFES IN SYDNEY’S INNER WEST
Happyfield
Happyfield ’s fast-casual concept has now expanded with the opening of Happy Shop next door, which has a service window designed to relieve pressure from the main cafe. While the menu nods to American diner staples, there are also Italian deli sandwiches filled with sopressa, mortadella and stracciatella that talk to the Italian migrant heritage of Haberfield. Expect playful nods to Macca staples like the Big Happy, and Le Griddle. Order a bag of freshly-made New Orleans-style beignets to enjoy on a picnic table at Haberfield Town Square.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Sunny and good vibes only
Location: 96 Ramsay St, Haberfield
Ol’ Mates Sandwich Shop
Oi. Where ya goin’? Ol’ Mates ay? This beloved Australian term for someone whose name you’ve forgotten has been lovingly appropriated at this Earlwood cafe run by James and Nick Retsas. I love a suburban hang, which is why I consider Ol’ Mates to be one of the best cafes in Sydney. The sleek spot run by nattily dressed staff in white tees is a welcoming place to stuff your face with a sturdy schnitzel sanga with lettuce, pickles, cheese and house-made sauce. This is one of the best cafes to bike to from the Cooks River cycleway, which connects to Sydney’s new Ghereenway.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Uber-cool Earlwood
Location: 2 Homer Street, Earlwood
Frank & Chitch
Here’s the sitch: Frank & Chitch is one of the best cafes in Sydney for its community vibe. The cute dog-friendly cafe occupies a street corner in the buzzy suburb where James and Nick Restsas (of Ol’ Mates) are considered trailblazers. The seasoned hospos have played a key role in the evolution of Earlwood as a sophisticated Sydney neighbourhood. Scroll through the cafe’s Instagram feed for inspiration on what to order from the many sweet and savoury options made from scratch each day. The breakfast bowl is a thing of beauty.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Airy, sunlit space
Location: 2-4 Barnes Avenue, Earlwood
Sweet Belem
The pay-off is instant when you bite into one of Portuguese tarts at Sweet Belem , Petersham. The team of bakers know their craft and follow age-old recipes for pastel de nata faithfully to get it consistently right. They also use egg yolks and sugar to craft sponge cakes and custard-filled doughnuts. While we love the broa de milho (cornbread) and pão da água (water bread), it’s the buttery pastéis de nata that originated in Lisbon’s Belém district that keep us coming back for more.
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Euro-chic
Address: 35B New Canterbury Road, Petersham
Superfreak
We defy you to visit Superfreak in Marrickville and not walk out humming that song of the same name by Rick James. Take that girl who’s pretty kinky (the girl’s a superfreak) whom you met at Scout Pilates and grab a pumpkin wedge salad and veggie ciabatta to go so you can picnic in Enmore Park. Alternatively, you can sit sipping a ginger elixir and feeling smug about your inner west lifestyle in the stylish space which is all greens and golds and much nicer than your living room. Consider Superfreak a surrogate space to finish that novella.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: It’s all about the inner-urban hipsters
Location: Shop 2/333a Enmore Road, Marrickville
Strandello, Croydon
Could this Croydon cafe just be Sydney’s best-kept secret? Strandello has Croydon locals covered as the Italian-leaning cafe has recognised the need to offer great cafe and breakfast six days a week. The coffee and bakehouse is best known for its flaky pies, Italian croissants (loaded with tomato, pesto and mozzarella) and some of the best pastel de natas outside Portugal. There are also pizzas by the slab with molten toppings of cheese, pepperoni and prosciutto. If you can’t get a table at Strandello, stroll across the road to Stranded. Don’t tell Nonna.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Neighbourhood vibe
Location: 13 The Strand, Croydon
Henry Lee’s
This Redfern cafe, named after the Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds track of the same name, is in the heart of the newly developed arts and culture precinct in Redfern. The name, Henry Lee’s , is a good fit for a cafe that is moody, local, a little literary and underground. Head to the Hart St entry and into the bright, internal courtyard of the concept cafe and collaborative space. Architect Atelier Andy Carson has softened the industrial bones of the space – polished concrete, exposed brick, old stone – with potted succulents and a translucent awning that lets in the light. Go for the Stairway to Chicken.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Heavily tattooed bros, frocked-up content creators commune here under the cantilevered roof.
Location: Entry via Hart St, Redfern
Tokyo Lamington
I stumbled across Tokyo Lamington after doing my fruit and veg shopping at Marrickville Markets. And it was the exact kind of vibe I was looking for. There was no cool dude with a clipboard out front demanding I add my name to the list and wait for a table. Instead, there were smiling staff and a display cabinet full of lovely looking lamingtons. There were also vintage chairs and Vietnamese coffee and cheesecake lamingtons made with fresh ricotta from Paesanella Cheese down the way. The fit-out is giving deceased estate. But in a good way with lots of crocheted throws and vintage Parker pieces.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Nanna’s lounge room
Location: 140 Marrickville Road, Marrickville
Solstice
This bright and breezy cafe kicked off on the winter solstice of 2024. Thankfully, it remains brilliant year-round, regardless of how far the sun is from the equator. Summer Hill is known for having some of the best Italian restaurants in Sydney. Therefore, it stands to reason that the inner-west suburb would shine bright for its cafes, too. Expect beans from The New Paradigm Coffee Roasters and a beverage menu dedicated to pour-overs at Solstice . The food menu also roams the globe between Chile and Germany, a nod to the heritage of owners Ben Johnson and Caroline Jung.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Sophisticated space for coffee geeks
Location: 117 Smith Street, Summer Hill
Myra’s Kitchen
Bring your jadda (Egyptian grandmother) along to taste-test the falafels inspired by owner Chris Rummey’s own great-grandmother at Myra’s Kitchen’s new digs on O’Connell Street. The humble little cafe has long been the go-to for the fluffiest fried falafels in all the land. That’s one of the reasons it has had to move to larger premises.The community-driven cafe has also been clocked for its keftedes (Greek meatballs), smoky sheftalia (pork sausages) and beautifully blistered slabs of haloumi. Opt for a pita pocket stuffed with the protein of your choice and a squiggle of tahini, skordalia or tzatziki. Spice things up with a slathering of chilli and tomato relish.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Homey and humble
Location: 2-4 O’Connell Street, Newtown
BEST CAFES IN THE SUTHERLAND SHIRE
Flour Coffee & Doughroom
The menu at Flour Coffee & Doughroom changes as temperatures rise and fall in Sydney. Regardless of the time of year, the place is perennially packed with punters drawn to the fresh-baked treats that are strategically placed at eye level. Approach the counter to order your latte with caution. You might have come in for the seeded white sourdough, but we defy you to resist the fresh-baked lamb pies, vanilla and saffron buns or green goddess chicken sangas. Talk about satisfying our daily kneads. We see them rolling (in the doughroom) and we like it. Enjoy a Sutherland Shire staycay so you can check out the restaurant scene, too.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Industrial and arty
Location: 277 Willarong Road, Caringbah South
HAM
HAM is short for Harry and Mario (Kapoulas), the brothers behind this OG cafe in Cronulla. The family-run cafe gets bonus points for that warm, fuzzy feeling you get from mum Kitty’s spanakopita. Or the fact you’ll find the iconic Greek espresso ‘freddo’ on the menu. Everything from the attentive staff to the paninis are so good they might prompt a move to the beachside suburb. Froth on a freddo and then order a Greek deli plate to go. You can also pick up a loaf of Infinity sourdough. The lads have recently opened Homer Rogue Taverna.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Beachy vibes
Location: 3/17 Gerrale Street, Cronulla
Rushi
Wear Lycra so you look the part alongside all the other MAMILs who come here to talk Shimano groupsets. Rushi is attached to Chain Reaction, on the Kingsway, and the Shire cafe marries its Japanese-inspired menu with a laid-back Cronulla identity. Freshly made Rushi sushi and karaage chicken will fuel your two-wheel trek along the Woolooware Shared Pathway or give you energy to amble along the Esplanade. Rushi is also considered one of the best cafes in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire for its onigiri breakfast plate. Get a Tokyo-inspired traveller and picnic at Dunningham Park down the hill.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: The main-character MAMIL energy is strong, but there’s also a mix of locals who are not clad in Lycra.
Location: Shop 2/25-35 Kingsway
Blackwood Pantry
Expect reality TV B-listers and NRL heads to make cameos at this laneway cafe in the backstreets of Cronulla. Having brunch with your bae at the Luchetti-Krelle-designed cafe is one of the best things to do in Cronulla. The laneway eatery is one of the suburb’s stalwarts, receiving a lot of admiration on Instagram for dishes such as the grilled chicken and roasted Jap pumpkin or the ridiculously good Korean power bowl. Blackwood Pantry’s name is a nod to nearby Blackwood’s Beach. Dust the sand off your feet after a swim at this local’s fave beach before brunch. Blackwood Bondi is also a big deal.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Beachy vibes
Location: 5/33 Surf Lane, Cronulla
Next Door
Head to Next Door early in the morning and you’ll see the same group of crusty surfers standing in a clot talking absolute porridge about the swell. They are as fixed to the scene as the barnacles glued to the adjacent rocky outcrop near the break dubbed The Alley. Chances are you’ll grab a coffee, enjoy a round of jalapeno corn fritters or vanilla buttermilk pancakes and they’ll still be there shooting the breeze, debating whether to wettie up. We can’t blame them. The views over the sand and sea are compelling.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: A magnet for surfers
Location: 4/6 Kingsway, Cronulla
Greenhouse on Flora
There are myriad cafes in Cronulla from which to start your day right. But not everyone in the Sutherland Shire lives within a pebble’s throw of the beach. Sutherland’s Greenhouse on Flora is perennially packed with customers – be it commuters bustling to the station, young parents fuelling up for the day or local councillors getting caffeinated ahead of their work WIP. This hidden gem is a light-filled oasis curlicued with trailing greenery and an all-day canteen feel. That’s largely thanks to a menu that morphs from breakfast to brunch and includes all-day options like a B&E roll and three-cheese toastie.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Great decor and ambience
Location: Shop 1/41-47 Eton Street, Sutherland
BEST CAFES IN SYDNEY’S INNER CITY & CBD
Single O
This Surry Hills stalwart has been going strong since 2003, back when roasting was considered one of the dark arts. Kick it by the curb outside the Sydney-based roastery’s specialty brew bar Sideshow, which continues to draw devotees for its dedication to sourcing single origin beans everywhere from Kenya to Ethiopia and Brazil. Single O is a carbon-neutral business and owners Dion and Emma Cohen are considered pioneers of Australia’s third-wave coffee movement. Head to the self-serve batch brew bar to pour yourself an artful espresso and enjoy The Avo Show, the ideal complement to a straightforward bevvie.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: The flagship shop is perched in the backstreets of Surry Hills and has a friendly, neighbourhood vibe
Location: 60-64 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills.
Petit Loulou
Get your double-shot espresso buzz on before you head back to the office so you can tolerate your office bros. Petit Loulou , the sister venue to Loulou Boulangerie & Tratieur, one of the best bakeries in Sydney, is keeping morale high for all the poor schmucks who’ve been dragged back into working in the office. We reckon you may as well roll with the punches and eat your feelings with a ham and cheese sandwich, which will prove to be a time-machine caper back to Paris.
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Busy and buzzy
Location: I Elizabeth Street, Sydney
Grumpy Baker
The bread and pastries are baked daily at Grumpy Baker outlets across Sydney. As well as being one of the best bakeries in Sydney, Grumpy Baker is a chill place to meet your uptight corporate colleagues for a daily caffeine fix. The Grumpy Baker brand has worked with Single O for almost two decades and is as treasured for its brews as its baked goods. The ever-growing brand’s CBD outpost is heaven for croissant connoisseurs. Owners Michael and Debbie Cthurmer have 12 venues scattered across Sydney including the recently opened Grumpy Baker & Bar in Potts Point. Pick up a frozen cottage pie for your next potluck dinner party.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Hole-in-the-wall haven for breadheads
Location: 1 Abercrombie Lane, Sydney
Devon Cafe
Devon Cafe isn’t your typical Aussie cafe. The indoor-outdoor seating at the cafe is comfortable and sleek and it’s a stone’s throw from the Barangaroo Foreshore Walk. It has its own unique look, with blonde wood panelling and fat lanterns, and a menu that skews toward an intriguing Japanese style. The Breakfast with Sakumas includes miso-marinated king salmon alongside an eel croquette, petit salad, 63-degree egg, kewpie mayo and furikake. It’s fab. Also, order the Tiramisu Sundae, a cafe latte soft serve topped with hot espresso, coffee-soaked savoiardi biscuits and creamy mascarpone. Get the killer katsu sando to go.
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Hole-in-the-wall haven for bread heads
Location: Shop 19, 200 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
Edition Roasters
You’ll find this hip cafe modelled on a Japanese aesthetic located in Mid City, Wynyard, World Square and Darling Square. While the sophisticated venues are a celebration of the austere, the baristas at the cafes are dedicated to serving single-origin beans sourced from micro-lot producers. Whether you’re a coffee neophyte or full-blown nerd, the staff at Edition Roasters will school you when it comes to extraction and omni roasting to showcase the complexity of specialty coffee. Expect the same fanatical dedication to artistry with the toasties on offer taken as seriously as the craft of coffee. Inhale the Japanese soufflé pancake in situ so you don’t have to share with the intern.
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Dark and moody
Location: Darling Square, 60 Darling Drive, Haymarket
BEST CAFES IN SYDNEY’S EASTERN SUBURBS
Room 10, Potts Point
A quick scroll through Instagram yields thousands of potential inclusions for our guide to the best cafes in Sydney. Room 10 is considered brunch HQ in Potts Point. Long loved by locals, it serves some of the best coffee in the eastern suburbs, with a rotating roster of single O Mecca beans and a reliable house blend. The Potts Point hang is small and social and a welcome place to press pause away from the chaos and grit of Kings Cross.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Great for coffee dates and a low-key brunch with mates
Address: 10 llankelly Place, Potts Point
Cafe Margaret
Cafe Margaret has taken over the venue that was Next Door to Margaret. But fans of the Next Door burger named Australia’s best need not fret; the phenom.com dish will remain a signature on the menu in the 45-seater space. The bacon and egg roll slathered in chipotle mayo, double-smoked bacon and free-range eggs has also become a cornerstone at Cafe Margeret . As has the steak frites with café de Paris butter and a fried egg. The cafe is open for breakfast and lunch daily and for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday (with reduced hours on a Sunday). It’s also got a Grab & Go selection.
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Aesthetically pleasing and great for spotting visiting celbs.
Location: 30-36 Bay St, Double Bay
The Depot
This long-standing Bondi favourite earns its place among the best cafes in Sydney for its community vibes and proximity to the beach. And I wish it was at the end of Warner’s Avenue when I lived there in the late 90s. Founded in North Bondi in 2008, The Depot is led by ex-Icebergs chef Guy Turland and his brother Clint alongside cousin John Kelly. A brisket toastie for breakfast is the ticket if you’re wrestling with a hangover. If you’re trying to impress your gym bros, go for the Cavemen Eggs with beef ragu, chorizo, poached eggs, goat’s cheese pesto and crispy parmesan on sourdough. There’s also a rotating selection of pastries such as pistachio buns and mango Danishes.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Rustic, warm
Location: 132a Warners Ave, Bondi Beach.
Punpun
The cute-AF Punpun cafe nods to the name of a manga series that is a hint of things to come. The cafe in the equally upper-crust and scuzzy neighbourhood of Darlinghurst is known for its innovative Japanese konbini sandos. The offbeat cafe feels more like a sushi counter found after an adventure in a hot tub time machine in Tokyo. Punpun has a communal vibe with a timber bar running the length of the shoebox-sized space. The sesame fried chicken katsu is the obvious draw as is the konbini-style egg sando.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Darlinghurst luvvies
Location: 249 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst
The Boatshed
If you’ve experienced the Sydney cafe scene without coming across a green bowl then something’s gone awry. This nourishing version of the brekkie bowl includes broccolini, spinach, kale, avocado, beetroot hummus, pistachio, edamame, beans and orange dressing. Sydneysiders can bunny hop all over the city to dine at its many boathouses, which are tethered to its beaches and bays. But this bayside eatery with the sun-splashed terrace is the place to lasciviously covet a knafeh French toast and sea view. Start perusing local real estate in La Pah toot suite post brekkie at The Boat Shed La Perouse.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Darlinghurst luvvies
Location: 1609 Anzac Parade, La Perouse
Cafe Cressida
Meeting inspired entrepreneurs IRL is an option for work-from-home warriors who congregate at Cafe Cressida . The cafe is run by chef Phil Wood and his partner Lis Davies, of the much-loved Ursula’s in Paddington (long regarded as one of the best restaurants in Sydney). Drop your eyes when the waiter comes around so you can focus on the menu and make the right decision. Will it be the yoghurt and passionfruit cup? Or the sourdough sanga with sauerkraut? Chill. They’re both solid options.
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Darlinghurst luvvies
Location: 118 Queen Street, Woollahra
Up South Bondi
Ugg boots and flannos are de rigueur at Up South Bondi , the super-cool corner cafe in Bondi. Breakfast is a necessity if you’re learning to surf in Bondi and Up South has you covered. Forget Sydney cliques. You’re much more likely to be asked where you’re from than what school you went to at this friendly hub for both backpackers and the local Bondi community. Up South deserves all the praise and glory for its baked goods and its friendly vibes. Here, sharing the footpath with locals might lead to a great discussion and an invitation to meet for a swim or surf the next day.
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Bondi backpacker HQ
Location: 249 Bondi Road, Bondi
PIÑA
Play spot the celebrity chef at this neighbourhood caff in Potts Point which is one of the favourite haunts of hospo heavyweights Neil Perry and Big Sam Young (Lotus). The laneway cafe pays homage to the kind of European venues that spill out onto the street in Rome and Paris and it’s absolutely stunning, darling. Order some kind of egg situation which you can have with bacon on a roll with a slick of harissa and aioli or eggplant and tomato caponata. Coffee is by Mecca and there’s also wine, beer and spritzes at lunchtime in the prized laneway cafe PIÑA .
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Euro elegance
Location: 4/29 Orwell Sreet, Potts Point
A.P. House
Expect to be bound by some kind of confidentiality clause when you ascend the stairs to this Cali-inspired rooftop bakery. Word on the streets below is that Surry Hills locals want to keep it to themselves. Fat chance. Word is truly out about A.P House , where you’ll feel cool just by being here. Head to the intimate cafe with your influencer mate so you can do the obligatory ‘look at me I’m at lunch’ shot for the ‘gram. AP stands for ‘all-purpose’ and the brand is regarded as one of the best bakeries in Sydney for its focus on heritage grains. Check out the sister venues scattered across Sydney.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Groovy baby
Location: L2/80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills
Reuben Hills
You’ll find caff-fiends shuffling slightly on the spot while they wait patiently for their morning fix at Reuben Hills . But the Surry Hills institution that roasts its beans onsite is not just about the brew, though specialty coffee is a core component. Budding bean hunters can attend public cupping sessions every Saturday morning. But the cool cafe also attracts foodies for its South American fare that speaks with an Australian twang. Order the signature Not Reuben sanga of wagyu brisket and pickled slaw stuffed between two squishy mattresses of bread.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Industrial meets elegant aesthetic
Location: 61 Albion Street, Surry Hills
bills
bills has been one of Sydney’s most popular rendezvous points for decades. The late and great Bill Granger’s legacy lives on at the Darlinghurst outpost over his signature ricotta hotcakes and corn fritters. For lunch, try the jasmine tea-smoked salmon sangas. Meanwhile, expect a whopper of a dry-cleaning bill after devouring the yellow fish curry for dinner. Weekdays are best to dine at bills when that communal table becomes an extension of home offices in the hood. The cafe will remain an integral piece of the puzzle when it comes to how the world regards the best Sydney cafes. Vale Bill Granger.
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: A sunny(side up) outlook
Location: 433 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst
Jacob the Angel
25Hours The Olympia has quickly established itself as one of the best places in Sydney for a staycation. Make sure you double the number of steps you usually do so you can feel slightly okay about loading up on elite treats at Jacob the Angel. The new Paddington cafe is the only venue in Sydney serving Lune Croissanterie pastries outside Lune’s own bakeries, making it one of the best places in Sydney to kickstart your morning. Queue for the kouign amman and cheese and Vegemite croissant. Then, use a slab of bread from Pioik Bakery as an excellent vessel for jam and cheese (trust us: it’s a combo). Bookend your day with a sundowner at Monica, one of the best rooftop bars in Sydney.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: It’s giving London energy.
Location: 25hours Hotel The Olympia, 1 Oxford St Paddington
Bogey Hole Café
Bogey Hole Café has been part of the suburb’s fabric since the late 90s. Named after the nearby rockpool, the cafe began when Debra and Richard Gray recognised the need for a coffee spot in the suburb where they had been long-term residents. Now, decades after I used to visit the cafe after my morning walk from Bondi to Bronte, it remains one of the best breakfast spots in the Eastern Suburbs. Coffee is by Salvador Sydney and there are house-made teas, cakes and muffins.
Debra and Richard’s daughter Hannah has been at the helm since 2012 and has been capturing hungry hearts ever since with dishes like the Bogey Benny or the Chilli Jam Stack.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: So beachy. Nobody bats an eyelid if you arrive in a skimpy-bottomed bikini or pair of Budgy Smugglers.
Address: 473 Bronte Road, Bronte Beach
BEST CAFES ON SYDNEY’S NORTH SHORE & NORTHERN BEACHES
Calibrate Coffee
The crew at Calibrate Coffee know their coffee. The spin-off to the Roseville cafe is named after the Calibrate blend from Gabriel Coffee. And the ‘Cali’ part of the equation is a nod to the oh-so-Cali-style dishes like trusty gigante beans on toast and matcha coconut chia pudding. Recalibrate at Calibrate over the smashed avo on sourdough or a smashable banana smoothie.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Sunny and welcoming
Location: 5 Whistler St, Manly
Noon, Manly
Built around the idea that hospitality works best when people come first, Good Good Company is a boutique Sydney group focused on good food, good culture and good service. Its venues – from pasta and wine bar Busta to Mexican go-to Chica Bonita and Japanese snack spot Sunset Sabi – share the same easy, community-led approach. That ethos carries through to Noon, one of the best cafes in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Settle in at this sun-bleached Manly corner spot just a few blocks from the beach to enjoy Pioik focaccia with Peats Ridge eggs and Whole Beast Butchery bacon.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Inside, leather couches and glass bricks give the room a subtle ’70s polish; prime for people-watching.
Address: 1/18 Raglan St, Manly NSW
Flying Bear
Clutch those pearls! Flying Bear doesn’t have a lot of competition when vying for cafe supremacy in Kirribilli. Regardless, this local’s favourite cafe hidden on the wharf at the Sydney Flying Squadron holds its own. Most of the nepo babies in the neighbourhood don’t need to worry about paying off their mortgage, making the smashed avo on slabs of sourdough a staple. Enjoy hearty brekkie bites such as muffins and granola while enjoying waterside views out over Careening Cove. Arrive via your 18-footer.
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Nantucket meets Northern Beaches chic
Location: Sydney Flying Squadron, 76 McDougall St, Kirribilli
Armchair Collective
You won’t see any evidence of women embracing the 2025 menswear trend at Armchair Collective at Mona Vale on the Northern Beaches. But if there are pants to be worn, it’s athleisure adjacent mocha-mousse tracky-dacks chucked on over cossies after a few laps in the nearby rockpool. The venue itself is low-key and serene and if you like the look of the lamps or cushions, you can create your own beach chic haven from the curated homewares for sale. Join the local frothers enjoying sweetcorn fritters and French toast after hitting the ‘pool’ break at the southern end of the beach.
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Community hub
Location: 9A Darley St E, Mona Vale
The Bower Manly
Ever wonder if you could just plop down in a Manly cafe and pretend you belong? Bring a yoga mat as a prop, dress like you’re auditioning for an episode of Avalon Now and order an almond latte to better blend in. The Bower Manly is a local’s favourite, serving up some of the best coffee in the Northern Beaches with great views of Cabbage Tree Bay to boot. Daily menu varies with the seasons but there’ll always be smashed avo on sourdough and house-made granola. The cafe is the kind of place where you will want to hang out all day. Perfect spot for people-watching.
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: A temple for sun worshippers
Location 7 Marine Parade, Manly
Frenchs Fair Bakery & Café
Together, Max and Vicki Bean have decades of experience in hospitality. And it’s obvious from the get-go at Frenchs Fair Bakery & Café on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. The house-made pastries and creations tend to be on the sweet side with creative concoctions such as the yuzu brulee custard tarts, limoncello custard babas and Biscoff Danishes. Chef Max (ex-Est., Calla and The Bridge Room) also makes strawberry matcha lattes and cruffins filled to the gills with custard and dusted with sugar. The cafe is designed with the customer experience in mind. Work your way through the menu at the bright and breezy brick-and-mortar location.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Scandi chic
Location: 7 Skyline Place, Frenchs Forest
BEST CAFES IN SYDNEY’S WESTERN SUBURBS
The Rusty Rabbit
Brothers Josh and Jamesray Khoury grew up in Western Sydney and have delivered their signature Rusty Rabbit quirks to this, their third outpost. Flock here for flavourful spins on the classics such as eggs Benny, stacked a mile high, bowls pumped up with protein and leafy greens and the kind of friendly service that has made the family-run cafe an instant community hub. The vibe at the rustic Rusty Rabbit is low-key, family-friendly and full of personality. Head to the Rusty if you’re feeling dusty for the hefty lamb bowl (popular with gym bros) served with hummus, avocado, cucumber, rice and cherry tomatoes.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Community hub.
Location: 58 Mortlake St, Concord
Ana’s Kitchen, Liverpool
Ana’s Kitchen is one of three venues housed within the expansive Paper Mill Food precinct in Liverpool. The relaxed cafe, on the banks of the Georges River, has cafe classics such as burgers, pizza and chicken schnitzel, and is indicative of the changes happening in Sydney’s southwest. The cafe by day, restaurant by night, is part of a 600-seat multi-faceted precinct with three distinct dining venues, making it a top spot for when you’re getting together with the extended family.
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Upmarket food court
Location: 20 Shepherd Street, Liverpool
Havenstone
This cafe is a one-of-a-kind venue within the heritage Parramatta Female Factory site in the Parramatta North Precinct. It’s a memorable and moving experience to hear the bells of the big clock chiming and reflect on the historical happenings behind the sandstone gaol walls. One of my female forebearers was one of them and I find it very moving to walk around the site. Check out the Western Sydney startup hub, and then fuel up on the Havenstack big brekkie at Havenstone before joining one of the Factory friends to learn more about the female felons.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Heritage meets industrial-chic space
Location: 5 Fleet Street, Parramatta
Locantro Bakery
This bakery-cafe was founded in 1994 by Vittorio and Franca Locantro to bring Italian coffee culture to Leichhardt. The Locantro family invites the community in to relax and connect with families and friends at the cafe designed to allow easy interactions with the friendly, attentive staff. Watch as Pino Locantro stuffs slabs of freshly made focaccia with mortadella, rocket and cheese and the baristas handcraft the brews. Stuff a ham and cheese croissant in your face and a loaf to go from Locantro Bakery , a landmark venue in Leichhardt.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Warm and welcoming
Location: 9-11 Catherine Street, Leichhardt
Circa Espresso Parramatta
The commuters jumping on Parramatta’s new light rail with a grab-and-go fix of caffeine from Circa Espresso are walking advertisements for life in the Western Suburbs. Owner Aykut Sayan is one of the reasons they feel so righteous. Aykut takes pride in his creative Middle Eastern menu and specialty coffee and was ahead of the curve when he opened in 2010. Circa Espresso was designed on the classic laneway-style cafes of Melbourne, one of many reasons it’s considered one of the best cafes in Parramatta. Beans change with the seasons and come by way of Circa’s rotating house blends. Order the Ottoman eggs. Or Chermoula chicken salad.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Steampunk chic
Location: 21 Wentworth Street, Parramatta
Henri Marc
There’s a lot of good news for residents of Penrith. Henri Marc is the ’rith’s hip haunt for espresso-based drinks and innovative Australian brunch creations like banana and tahini porridge. Join the burb’s bleary-eyed office workers for a cup of coffee strong enough to get you through the day. Forget stuffy, way-too-serious barista attitude. The staff serve coffee without the stink eye. Visit Henri Marc to be wowed by the decadent Cubano sandwiches with mojo pork, Swiss cheese, leg ham and pickles.
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Steampunk chic
Location: Shop 2, 438 High Street, Penrith
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