What Sydney lacks in its nightlife, it makes up for with its vibrant morning culture. Morning dips, brunches and walks are a rite of passage in the harbour city but one thing Sydney does especially well before noon is breakfast. From outrageously fluffy pancakes to modern Australian or Mediterranean fare, if you’re after a morning boost, there’s a dizzying variety of options to choose from right on your doorstep. And with the ongoing boom of fancy cafes in the city, breakfast is far more than just a meal, it’s a trend you need to jump on asap. From western Sydney to the Northern Beaches, here are some of the best breakfast spots in Sydney that are good enough to convert the most stubborn night owls.
1. Bills
One of Sydney’s OG breakfast spots, Bills has nailed the art of creamy scrambled eggs and ricotta pancakes — their two most popular menu offerings. Owner Bill Granger opened his first Sydney outpost in Darlinghurst in 1993 and has since become a go-to spot for breakfast enthusiasts, not just in Sydney but also Tokyo, Honolulu, Seoul and London. Combine excellent food and coffee with a relaxed atmosphere and your day is off to a good start. Check out their full menu here.
📍 Bondi Beach, Darlinghurst, Double Bay, Surry Hills
2. Devon
Devon in North Sydney has quickly gained cult status since its launch in 2013. In fact, few places have influenced breakfast culture in Sydney quite like Devon. Blending fine dining with casual café food with offerings that range from Japanese sandos to lush toasties, this spot needs to be high up on your list if you’re looking for something unique and healthy. Its mainstay is Japanese-style omelettes and coconut jam toasts that you can wash down with an excellent flat white.
📍 19/200 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo
3. Single O
Is coffee the most important part of breakfast for you? Head straight to Single O for a cup of freshly brewed coffee and excellent vibes. Coffee aside, avid punters can expect a stacked menu of breakfast delights ranging from fried eggs on toast, falafel bowls, chicken toasties, corn fritters and more. The vibe of the place is equally enticing and reminiscent of Melbourne’s many hipster cafes.
📍 60-64 Reservoir St, Surry Hills
4. Shuk
Offering scrumptious Israeli and Mediterranean food for breakfast, Shuk is a longstanding favourite among brekkie lovers. Their menu is directly influenced by Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines with dishes including breads, dips, baked eggs and sandwiches. And you can’t visit this breezy spot without trying their shakshuka and the classic slow-cooked lamb with hummus which will keep you full till lunchtime and beyond. Check out their full menu here.
📍 Bondi, Chatswood, Elizabeth Bay, Surry Hills
5. Porch and Parlour
With a coveted beachside spot and ample outdoor seating, Bondi’s Porch and Parlour should be the ideal first stop on your next coastal walk or swim. This tiny cafe packs a punch with its huge menu where you’ll find everything from grilled cheese and kimchi sandwiches to mascarpone hotcakes, breakfast burritos, salad bowls and bakery items. Their poached eggs are a year-round winner and their Bloody Mary’s and mimosas hit the spot on a hot day. There’s also heaps of healthy smoothies and green drinks if you’re on a health kick.
📍 17-18/110 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi
6. Circa Espresso
We’ve raved about Circa before in our roundup of best cafes in Parramatta but this hole-in-the-wall café is easily one of the finest breakfast and brunch spots in not just Parramatta but all of Sydney. Aside from a charming setting which includes everything from graffiti on the walls, dim lighting and a laneway cafe aesthetic, this prime western Sydney spot doles out excellent farm-to-table cuisine. The menu is seasonal so you can expect something fresh and new every few months but their famous ottoman eggs and crispy sourdough waffles are easy winners.
📍 21 Wentworth St, Parramatta
7. Pina
You can’t go wrong with Room Ten’s Pina. Bacon and egg rolls, avo toast, chickpea pancakes, cauliflower sandwiches — what more could you ask for? The most popular items on their breakfast menu are the humble bacon and egg roll and the sausage and egg roll. But don’t be fooled, packed with house-made harissa and aioli the flavour is divine and totally worth standing in queue for. At the moment, Pina is open for breakfast and lunch with plans to launch a dinner service in the future.
📍 4/29 Orwell St, Potts Point
8. Fika Swedish Kitchen
Fika is a Swedish word that translates to the practice of taking a break for coffee and a bite. So if you like your mornings slow and your breakfast big, check out Fika Swedish Kitchen in Manly. This seaside cafe has it all, good views, good vibes and good food. Try the Swedish meatballs with mashed potato, pickled cucumber, housemade gravy and lingonberry jam or get your fill of greens with the Nordic salad consisting of healthy goodness like barley, lentils, avocado, greens, strawberries, feta, dill, pickled chilli and hot smoked trout. Other breakfast items include the classic eggs on toast, bacon and egg rolls and granola bowls.
📍 5B Market Pl, Manly
9. Rising Sun Workshop
Sydney’s first communal motorbike workshop and ramen bar is a hotspot for ramen lovers and their breakfast ramen especially is one of the most interesting breakfast experiences on this list. Said dish comes with hearty noodles, bacon, egg and charred tomato in butter-toast broth and they’re pretty generous with their servings too so expect to be full for a long time after your meal. Other menu items include kimchi toasties, the classic avocado and egg and Hiramasa kingfish tataki. Check out everything else on offer here.
📍1C Whateley St, Newtown
SEE ALSO: 10 Of The Absolute Best Spots For A Hearty Bowl Of Ramen In Sydney
10. Brickfields
This one is for breakfast dessert lovers. Typically packed to the brim, Brickfields is a go-to spot for all things bread. We’re talking loaves of sourdough, rye, and specialty bread plus bacon rolls, pastries, sweets, cakes and tarts. They also supply bread to a number of cafes around Sydney so they know what they’re doing. Also on the menu is quiche with a side salad, toasted croissants and pastry boxes.
📍206 Cleveland St, Chippendale
11. Three Blue Ducks
Housed in an airy warehouse within The Cannery, Three Blue Ducks serves up a variety of hearty breakfast dishes. You can’t go wrong with their king prawn and sambal scrambled eggs or the buttermilk and tortilla-crusted fried chicken burger packed with flavourful kimchi, green oak, tomato and Ssamjang aioli. Wash it all down with a lychee mimosa or Bloody Mary if you’re not in the mood for coffee.
📍 1/85 Dunning Ave, Rosebery
12. Ricos Tacos
Tacos for breakfast? Yes please. At this popular Mexican restaurant, four types of tacos are served across breakfast and lunch along with three types of tortas and quesadillas. Get your hands on the chorizo and potato, chicken achiote, fried cauliflower and tahini and fish tacos or opt for chicken schnitty, hash brown or fried fish tortas which are similar to burgers. You can’t leave this colourful spot without trying their iced teas and filter coffees. Check out their full menu here.
📍 15 Meagher St, Chippendale
13. Kurumac
Another fusion spot, Kurumac is all about Japanese teas and comfort food. The younger sibling to its sister cafe Cool Mac in Kirribilli, this is an underrated spot where you can get your fill of tasty noodles, udon bowls, toasties and curried scrambled eggs with tempura prawns. Another selling point you can’t overlook — there’s jazz on speakers and a vending machine selling gyoza and bonsai. Come for the breakfast, stay for the vibes.
📍 107 Addison Rd, Marrickville
14. Dutch Smuggler
This blink-and-you-miss-it spot packs all the ingredients for a solid dining experience and regulars know to get here early to snag a seat. Their simple breakfast menu consists of a few fail-safe items like bacon and egg rolls, avo toasts and coffee. But the highlight is their delicious Mie Goreng toasties which have become pretty popular around town and for good reason. Spicy, tangy and oozing with flavour, these toasties are the breakfast you didn’t know you needed.
📍 200 George St, Sydney
15. Two Chaps
Two Chaps is a strong contender for some of the best vegan and vegetarian breakfast options in town. When it opened its doors back in 2014, it was a one-of-a-kind offering at a time when vegan cafes were scarce in Sydney. Today it’s a favourite among locals and still dishing up a storm. On the menu are delicious Mediterranean salads and sandwiches, hash browns and sourdough crumpets, vegan doughnuts and a variety of baked goods.
📍122 Chapel St, Marrickville
16. Paramount Coffee Project
Housed within the foyer space of Paramount House, the Paramount Coffee Project is a light, spacious and breezy space perfect for slow mornings and catchups. You really can’t go wrong with the coffee here but the breakfast options are pretty fabulous too. From soft baked eggs to lush skillet pancakes, fried chicken waffles and more, if you’re fighting a hangover you can’t really go wrong at this cosy spot.
📍80 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills
17. Saga
Speaking of quintessential breakfast spots, Saga is the place to go for Italian-style sandwiches and speciality coffee. Also on the menu are pastries by renowned Sydney pastry chef Andy Bowdy and if that doesn’t get you going, we’re not sure what will. For breakfast, you need to try their sandwiches. There’s the breakie sanga with bacon, hash brown, fried egg and homemade bbq plus the Rocco sandwich with hot salami, grilled capsicum, goats chevre, rosemary and honey and many more, each packed with more flavour than the other.
📍178 Enmore Rd, Enmore