Skipping breakfast is unheard of in Australia, so it’s no wonder that there is an infinite amount of ways to enjoy this favorite meal in Sydney. From the place to enjoy your classic Aussie “brekky” to a locally loved Cantonese tradition, here are five top breakfast spots to hit whether you’re visiting or living in Sydney.
Classic Aussie Brekky: Bills
Locals hail Bills for having the best breakfast in the city. Featuring a menu packed with brekky favorites, Bills seats and serves to the morning foodie masses every day at the original café in Darlinghurst or on Crown Street in Surry Hills. It’ll be hard to choose from chef Bill Granger’s mouth-watering options, including his famous sweet corn fritters, ricotta hotcakes served with honeycomb butter and the full Aussie breakfast complete with silky scrambled eggs with bacon, roasted tomatoes, Swiss mushrooms and pork-and-fennel sausage. On a nice day — which Sydney is not short on — sit on the terrace in Surry Hills to enjoy your meal and a great people-watching session as the hip, trendy locals pass by.
Beachside Breakfast: The Bathers’ Pavilion Café
Within my first hours of being in Australia, I found myself seated along the Balmoral Beach waterfront with a bowl full of fresh fruit and Bircher muesli as a refreshing sea breeze passed through the room. The Bathers’ Pavilion offers the ultimate beachside breakfast where you can not only savor delicious poached rhubarb with orange, mandarin, sheep’s milk yogurt and pistachio or a superb spinach and ricotta omelet, but you can also enjoy the dazzling morning sun as it sparkles across the beach at your feet.
Family Breakfast: The Grounds
Not only kid-friendly, this Sydney favorite also welcomes the family pet, as The Grounds of Alexandria shows off its own pride and joy, Kevin Bacon, the resident pig and star of the petting zoo. The venue is considered a veritable oasis set in the inner city. It features a café, bakery, garden, gallery and even a research facility where it experiments with different coffee-roasting techniques. Hit The Grounds early for a full day of family fun, and order breakfast off of the seasonal menu (which includes granola and truffled scrambled eggs) that spotlights produce grown in the restaurant’s garden. To keep your energy up for a day with the kids, get a cup of the finest coffee in Sydney, roasted onsite.
All-In-One Breakfast: Bondi Trattoria
Breakfast-filled pans are having a moment in Sydney with the Dr Shakshuka Eggs at Paper Cup; baked eggs, tomato, beans and spinach in a pan at Opera Bar; and the Big Breakfast in a cast-iron pan at Revolver. Bondi Trattoria offers an Italian twist to this all-in-one breakfast, and serves up baked eggs in a smoky tomato sauce with red peppers and topped with Parmesan. Hit the Bondi establishment for a hearty Italian breakfast as you look out over Bondi Beach and soak up some sun.
Asian Breakfast: Marigold
If you’re looking to mix up your breakfast routine from standard eggs and bacon to something more exotic, Marigold is your answer. Paying tribute to the Cantonese tradition of sipping tea and enjoying dim sum in the morning, Marigold serves the ever-popular (and one of the best) yum cha. Don’t come here if you’re expecting a relaxing, peaceful breakfast — yum cha is all about the bustle of carts passing your table with steaming dumplings, succulent pork buns and saucy egg noodles. You’ll be tempted by everything that comes your way. Don’t forget to flip the lid of your teapot upside-down to indicate you need a refill.
Photos Courtesy of The Grounds and The Bathers
