Sydney takes coffee very seriously and at the heart of it is a thriving cafe culture which has long been a defining characteristic of the city. Among the many trendy suburbs dotted across town, Parramatta is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with and if you’re after a coffee or brunch spot, you don’t have to look further than this buzzing commercial corner of Sydney. From laneway cafes to art studio-styled cafes, themed bakeries and more, these kitschy spots are well worth a visit. Australian classics, seasonal menus and speciality brews are some of the many exciting features that stand out in these cafes. Check out our list of excellent Parramatta Cafes for that perfect brekky or brunch.
SEE ALSO: 12 Delightful Places To Have High Tea In Sydney
1. Circa Espresso
One of Parramatta’s most celebrated spots, this hole-in-the-wall café packs a punch in more ways than one. With its gritty, quirky interiors that could resemble anything from a library or a museum and excellent menu offerings, Circa is one of the most talked about places for coffee and breakfast outside of the CBD and for good reason.
Circa’s menu is seasonal and leans heavily towards Middle Eastern flavours and textures. Their ottoman eggs, crispy sourdough waffles and maple-glazed French toast are easy breakfast winners. Crab Fettucine in the warmer months is a crowd-pleaser along with baked eggs with beef sujuk. They also take their coffee very seriously at Circa’s serving refined speciality coffee using raw green beans, sourced, created and roasted with a lot of care.
But its overall charm lies in its unique location and vibe. The cosy café will remind you of Melbourne’s many laneway cafés and comes with both outdoor and indoor seating, complete with graffiti on the walls and a chic, urban aesthetic.
📍 21 Wentworth St, Parramatta
2. Social Hideout
Social Hideout needs no introduction whatsoever, it is after all one of Sydney’s most Instagrammable cafes. Covered in pretty florals and pink vibes, Social Hideout is a spot of sunshine in a busy part of Parramatta. The floor-to-ceiling florals, purple wisteria décor and neon lights are just some of the draws of the lovely little spot.
And it’s not just looks that make Social Hideout popular. They serve a pretty eclectic menu with some super creative dishes. There’s taro hotcakes with pink pitaya, berries, mango cubes, black sesame ice cream, mint and taro lychee ganache (!), Mac n Cheese waffles, red velvet French Toast, avo smash, big breakfast and more. The colours also reflect in their vibrant drinks like red velvet and matcha latte, hibiscus berry, mojitos and more. It’s a feast for all the senses and a true must-visit for brunch fiends.
📍 2a/20 Victoria Rd, Parramatta
3. Lil Miss Collins
Lil Miss Collins is a cheery spot right next to Circa with a little bit of everything especially in terms of aesthetics. There’s a pretty pink phone booth perfect for Instagram, floral displays, hanging pot plants, recycled timber and lovely hues of pink and blue. The café also serves farm fresh food sourced directly from local farms.
You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to menu offerings. All-day breakfast items include a lush Mediterranean breakfast plate with Lebanese lamb sausages or falafel, scrambled eggs, zaatar spiced pita bread, Harissa Roasted cauliflower, fried bread and Fattoush salad. Also on offer are poke bowls, bacon egg rolls, breakfast burgers with hash brown, croissants and classic cheese toasties. And that’s just breakfast. The lunch menu comes stacked with peri-peri sandwiches, tacos, classic green salads, mushroom and potato hash, pasta and more.
📍 13 Wentworth St, Parramatta
4. Paper Plane Café
Don’t let this unassuming spot fly under your radar. This popular local haunt in Parramatta serves good food and good coffee. In fact, you’ll often find long queues outside the cosy café. Offering a farmhouse experience to locales with classic Australian fare, fresh flowers and warm aesthetics, Paper Plane Café is a must-visit. Menu items you absolutely should try include the big breakfast with eggs, bacon, chorizo, hash browns, mushrooms and tomatoes on sourdough, truffled eggs with portobello mushrooms and chorizo and waffles.
They also serve excellent coffee. If you can get a seat, this is a great little spot for a lazy morning spent with a book with plenty of outdoor seating and all the rustic charm you can ask for.
📍 5/2 Horwood Pl, Parramatta
5. White Henry Espresso Bar
White Henry’s famous Blue Stag has gained cult status in Parramatta. The sharp, full-bodied blend has taken years to perfect and features a rich chocolatey body with fruity, spicy notes. A visit to this cafe is worth it for the coffee alone but the menu also features a bunch of food items for every taste.
The breakfast menu is pretty compact with classics like banana bread, wraps and smashed avo, salad boxes, sourdough sandwiches, muffins, rolls and more. But their drawcard is their exceptional coffee which is certainly worth a trip to the west if you’re not local.
📍 4/118 Church St, Parramatta
SEE ALSO: 7 Of Sydney’s Cosiest Bookshop Cafés To Visit On A Rainy Day
6. Black Seed Eatery
Black Seed Eatery is all about wholesome, creative and tasty artisan foods with a focus on fresh, seasonal produce. You’ll find their seasonal menu stacked with a number of creative dishes including tandoori chicken with grilled chicken breast, cheese, onion, cucumber, yoghurt and mint sauce on toasted spinach tortilla wrap and burgers, classic schnitzel, poached salmon and more. The breakfast menu includes the usual suspects from eggs benny to homemade granola with yoghurt and fresh berries.
Black Seed Eatery also has a pretty neat vibe with cosy, rustic interiors and a buzzy vibe. It’s also always packed with people especially in the morning which is always a good sign.
📍 105 Phillip St, Parramatta
7. Meraki Merchants
Another Parramatta spot serving excellent Middle Eastern fare is Meraki Merchants, sitting pretty in a corner of a residential building. The sunny café serves up a concoction of breakfast and brunch dishes, great coffee and desserts. The café puts a spin on traditional breakfast items and nostalgic favourites like jaffles and milo, infusing them with a Middle Eastern touch. Menu standouts include The Sultan’s Jaffle with sliced cheese, sujuk and Kalamata olives topped with house-made smoky capsicum relish and chilli eggs – sourdough and two fried eggs served with a side of house-made smoky capsicum relished, topped with house-made dukkah and a drizzle of olive oil.
The menu changes often but packs a punch with its universally loved flavours. They serve a stacked drinks menu too with options like cookies and cream affogato, classic hot chocolate, cookies and cream Milo, masala chai and heaps more.
📍 5/111 George St, Parramatta
8. The Coffee Emporium Restaurant and Bar
The Coffee Emporium is all about quality coffee and it’s the place to go for your daily caffeine fix. Satisfaction is guaranteed, not just with the excellent coffee but also with their menu of breakfast and brunch classics.
The Bohemian spot also dons two hats with ease. It’s a breezy café by day and a buzzy bar by night. On the menu you’ll find a rainbow poké bowl with Tasmanian salmon, pastries, banana bread and smashed avo and eggs benny among other items.
📍 Shop 2184A/159 Church St, Parramatta
9. XS Espresso
Even if you’re not familiar with XS Espresso, chances are you’ve seen their dishes on your social feeds. The North Parramatta café is notorious for its over-the-top desserts and Instagrammable dishes. The buzzy spot will have you coming back again and again for the vibe alone. Their Insta-famous desserts include a lush oven-baked cookie dough, doughnut fries, biscoff pancakes, waffles and more. Plus on their seriously stacked menu, you’ll find a number of breakfast and lunch options including sandwiches, pastas, egg dishes, salads, burgers, seafood and more.
Don’t forget to try their monster shakes like the Golden Gaytime, original cronut, volcano and XS surprise which features Nutella and crunchie shake, topped with fairy floss, 100s & 1000s and waffle cone.
📍9A/2 Windsor Rd, Northmead
10. Badmanner Thymes
Badmanner Thymes is as interesting as its name. The trendy café serves excellent coffee and a menu filled with Australian classics. The food is served hot and fresh and their homemade baked goods are a favourite amongst locals. Breakfast items include acai bowls, breakfast burritos, eggs benny and zucchini and halloumi fritters while the lunch menu is all about burgers, sandwiches, salads and risottos.
It’s a breezy, cosy spot, perfect for catchups or some me time.
📍1 Horwood Pl, Parramatta
11. Mulberry Tree Café
This popular spot serves elegant brunch in the heart of Parramatta. Set in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of Parramatta’s CBD, Mulberry Tree Cafe offers a moment of respite from the business. Complete with cosy interiors, warm lights and very good coffee indeed, this café needs to be high up on your list.
On their menu, you can expect generous servings of everything from the classic avo smash to flavourful shakshuka. Lunch items include burgers, wraps, sandwiches and more with a number of delicious fillings and superb coffee. Also on offer are a number of baked goods and sweets to satisfy your sugar cravings.
📍 5/20 Macquarie St, Parramatta
12. Jackson’s Bakery and Café
If this list is anything to go by, Parramatta’s coffee scene is incredibly competitive so nothing less than the best will do for eager punters on the hunt for their daily caffeine fix. Another one to add to your list is the relatively new Jackson’s Café. If you’re somewhat of a coffee snob, you’d be silly not to try this excellent spot. The Allpress Espresso beans are a highlight in this friendly neighbourhood café that focuses on coffee and community.
Their menu is short and sweet and features toasties with a variety of fillings, croissants, wraps and bacon and egg rolls.
📍470 Church St, North Parramatta