Cafés in Sydney continue to push the envelope with super creative menu offerings, fun twists to classic dishes, aesthetics to die for, elaborate neon and floral mash-ups, and coffee — lots of seriously great coffee. When it comes to Instagram-worthy cafes, we’re truly spoilt for choice. Here’s a roundup of some of our favourites that deserve a spot on your feed.
1. Celsius Coffee Co., Kirribilli
When it comes to nailing the perfect brunch spread, both in taste and presentation, Celsius Coffee Co takes the cake. It’s a small café set against a beautiful backdrop of the harbour with a cosy, old-world feel to it thanks to its rustic, wooden interiors. Be sure to try their legendary eggs benedict and Instagram-favourite waffles with berries and edible flowers. Hot tip: The chill-buttered eggs with braised tomatoes, onion jam and burnt butter are to die for.
2. Cuppa Flower, Waterloo and Mascot
Cuppa Flower is a florist and café mash up so needless to say photo opportunities are abundant. When it comes to the prettiest Sydney cafés, this one is a staple. If you’re looking to brighten your feed, try out the elaborate pancakes, acai bowls and smoothies. Or get snapping against their many gorgeous floral walls. With great care for presentation and excellent service, this one is almost a sensory overload — in the best way possible.
3. Two Sis & Co., Pyrmont
This is a tiny little café in the heart of Pyrmont, with a street view of the busy suburb. Popular items include their super Instagrammable drinks — right from blue matcha latte to rose pink latte, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to colours and flavours. The mermaid pancakes and the French Toast with the crunchy brioche, nuts and fresh berries, topped generously with fairy floss are hard to beat if you want extra zing to your feed.
4. Social Hideout, Parramatta and Waterloo
Stepping into this café feels a bit like stepping into a floral oasis. The vibe is quirky and vibrant and pink, very pink. Great food and coffee with splendid attention to detail both in décor and food — this is a must-visit if you’re after a photogenic brunch spot. There’s even an Audrey Hepburn mural and a whole wall chock full of flowers.
5. The Boathouse, Palm Beach
With many locations spread across Sydney beaches, you’re bound to have a great experience along with a scenic meal. We highly recommend The Boathouse on Palm Beach or Shelly Beach for the stunning location and excellent atmosphere.
6. Speedos, Bondi
Set against the backdrop of the iconic Bondi beach, Speedos has previously been voted as the most Instagrammable café in the world. If you needed an incentive to visit — they even offer a sweet treat on your birthday. The stunning views of the beach and the explosion of flavours and colour on the menu make this café experience a real delight.
7. Flower Child, Chatswood and Warringah
Much like the name suggests, Flower Child is bursting with a rich, bohemian vibe. The food tastes great and looks equally beautiful, you’ll be reaching out for your phone with literally every dish. But it’s their tropical, leafy space that adds to the overall vibe and makes for a relaxing time out.
8. The Grounds of Alexandria, George Street and Alexandria
Not to use the word fabulous loosely but that’s exactly what The Grounds of Alexandria is. It is probably one of the most Instagrammable spots in Sydney. It has so many picture-perfect elements spread across the venue that it’s almost dizzying. Night or day, there’s always something magical going on. Food, drinks, eccentric themes and myriad photo opportunities, believe us, you will want to visit this one.
9. Armchair Collective, Mona Vale
This breakfast/brunch spot has a neat, comfort-filled vibe to it. The décor is excellent and the proximity to the beach makes it a great Instagram-worthy spot. Start your day at this café and end it at the beach for that perfect sun-drenched feed.
10. Concrete Jungle Café , Chippendale
For interior design and plant lovers, the Concrete Jungle Café located in the heart of Chippendale is your new go-to. It ticks practically all the boxes: divine food, brilliant aesthetics and overall great dining experience.
11. Parlour Cucina, CBD, Market Street
Who doesn’t love a 1920 style décor and an extensive food and drink menu? Away from the bustle of Sydney, this stylish European-style space offers a hearty menu and an excellent vintage vibe that’s hard to beat. This one’s a classic you should definitely visit. (Picture credit: Parlour Cucina.)
12. The Botanica, Vaucluse
With its own farm-to-table menu and gin, this is an elegant, feminine brunch spot and a proper luxe dining experience. It’s popular pink chairs set against a contrast of green and white give it a very classy and refined feel.
13. Café Monstera, Mosman
Café Monstera has made quite a mark both on brunch enthusiasts and Instagram aficionados. Located right at the edge of the ferry dock, this café is a generous offering by the owners of Celcius Coffee Co., so you know you’re in for a treat both in terms of food and aesthetics. With lovely green interiors and a rustic, old row boat hanging overhead apart from the gorgeous blue seas around, the decor is absolutely wonderful.
SEE ALSO: 10 Idyllic Leafy Green Bars And Restaurants In Sydney
14. The Mayflower, Darlinghurst
With its gorgeous pink walls, overhead hanging foliage and floral displays, The Mayflower is the picture-perfect brunch spot. The overall aesthetic is neat and feminine and the food is lovely too (both to eat and to take pictures of). There’s also a wall displaying digital art and several immersive elements you can use to step up your grid.
15. Skittle Lane, King Street
When it comes to Sydney cafés, Skittle Lane is a coffee lovers paradise. With their own unique seasonal blend, this is a regular haunt for coffee enthusiasts. But the café itself is lovely too. The space boasts of great natural light streaming from all corners and a chic, modern décor. If you like neat spaces, filled with light and no clutter, this is the one to head to.
16. Roca Café Pink
If you love all things pink, you’ll want to check out Roca Café. The fun and whimsical space is filled with pink-hued accents not just in the decor but in the food and drinks too. There are heaps of Instagrammable elements at the venue. From a pink car to pink lattes and neon signs, the café is begging to be photographed.
SEE ALSO: 9 Of The Most Picture-Perfect Pink Cafés And Restaurants In Sydney
17. MCA Café
Enjoy good food and great views at the MCA Café. This rooftop dining spot is Instagrammable for it’s insane harbour views. From the Opera House and Harbour Bridge all the way to Circular Quay, it’s the ideal café to enjoy a spot in the sun while brunching away the weekend.
18. Bean Sisters Café
Rebranded from Old Garden to Bean Sisters, this is a relatively new space that has taken Instagram by storm. And it’s easy to see why. Their interiors are at once moody but vivid, with floral, greens and several cute picture-perfect elements spread across the cafe.
19. White Rabbit Teahouse
A visit to the White Rabbit Gallery is incomplete without a stop at their beautiful in house cafe. Decorated with heaps of birdcages adorning the ceiling, the teahouse is a great spot to indulge in dumplings and snacks with a wide variety of tea on the menu. Right next to the teahouse, you’ll also find the gallery’s shop so it’s a real all-in-one space to spend a weekend at.
20. ICONS Cafe and Bar
Sydney is blessed with some pretty spectacular views all around town, but one we’ll never get tired of is that grand dame of vistas: the Harbour Bridge. See the architectural icon in all its glory at the ICONS Cafe and Bar, a limited-time pop-up in Walsh Bay. Part of the Steve McCurry ICONS experience, this breezy all-day spot offers light snacks (think: lamb ragu jaffle or taramasalata with lavosh) and an afternoon pick-me-up in the shadows of the city’s very own icon. While you’re there, be sure to check out the eponymous exhibition, a remarkable 40-year retrospective featuring the work of Steve McCurry, one of the world’s foremost photojournalists.
21. The Pantry
If you’ve read thus far, you can probably tell we’re huge fans of beachside cafes. With rustic decor and chic seating, the Manly staple is an ideal stop for a meal anytime of the day. With lovely views of the ocean and pleasant lighting, the cafe directly overlooks the surf. Head there for an early morning breakfast and watch the sunrise, it’s a sight for sore eyes.