Sydney-natives will be well-acquainted with the endless cafes that Surry Hills and Paddington have to offer. The popular eastern suburbs are located side-by-side, a short distance from the CBD, and are famous for their upscale boutiques, pretty houses, coffee culture and brunch scene. Think quaint English streets sprinkled with LA-inspired glamour.
With coffee shops and cafes on every corner, it can be hard to sort the good from the great. Whether you live in Sydney or are just passing through, I have rounded up my top 6 brunch spots in Surry Hills and Paddington that you simply must visit! Even in winter!
My top 10 brunch spots
Jackies, Paddington
1. Jackies Cafe
1c Glenmore Road, Paddington | +61 2 9380 9818 | https://www.jackiespaddington.com.au/
Situated just off Oxford Street, nestled among clothing boutiques and Mecca Cosmetica, is Jackies – one of my favourite places to visit when I’m mooching around the Paddington area. It has both indoor and outdoor seating (complete with outdoor heating and blankets for chillier days), and its rustic aesthetic and delicious brunch menu makes it the ultimate Instagram opportunity. From their brekky menu, my favourites are poached eggs and smashed avo on toast; the colourful chia bowl topped with seasonal fruits; and the vanilla ricotta pancakes. Or, if you fancy something different, Jackies also offers sushi, which is prepared onsite.
2. Bills
359 Crown St, Surry Hills | (02) 9360 4762 | http://www.bills.com.au/sydney/surry-hills/
I can always count on Bills in the heart of Surry Hills for a good meal. They have menus for all times of day, but it’s their breakfast menu that really stands out for me. I love the full Aussie breakfast – scrambled eggs, sourdough toast, cumin roast tomato, bacon, miso mushrooms, pork, chilli and fennel sausage. For something a little lighter, I recommend the granola, greek yoghurt and seasonal fruit compote. Why not complete your breakfast with a white peach Bellini – they are seriously good! Bills also has restaurants in Darlinghurst and Bondi. Note: you may need to reserve a table on weekends if you have a big party.
3. Paramount Coffee Project
80 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills | (02) 9211 1122 | http://www.paramountcoffeeproject.com.au/
Paramount Coffee Project is famous among locals and tourists alike, and for good reason! Whenever I’m passing I always make sure to pop in, even if just for a coffee. The cafe is light and bright and the interior design is impressively chic. But, more importantly, their coffees are second-to-none. Enjoy a cold drip coffee, a flat white or perhaps a ginger, turmeric and honey latte while you catch up with friends or do some work on your laptop. For food, it doesn’t get much better than the buttermilk fried chicken waffle (available on their all day menu).
4. Ampersand Cafe and Bookstore
78 Oxford Street, Paddington | (02) 9380 6617 | http://www.cafebookshop.com.au/
Ampersand Cafe and Bookstore in Paddington is a real gem of a cafe. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but like all good books the treasure is revealed the deeper in you delve. It has both outdoor seating and seating upstairs in the ‘library’, where every wall is a bookshelf available for your perusal. The coffees are delicious, and for food you can choose from pastries, pastas and salads. Meet up with friends in between running errands, or grab an armchair upstairs and enjoy your favourite book with a cup of coffee. They also buy and sell pre-loved books, and hold book launches and special events regularly.
5. Rueben Hills
61 Albion St, Surry Hills | (02) 9211 5556 | http://www.reubenhills.com.au/
Rueben Hills cafe and roastery blends contemporary and industrial design perfectly. The best part is the smell of the roasting coffee as you walk in, which tastes as good as it smells, believe me. Its all-day menu is South American-inspired, and features dishes like Honduran baleadas and Mexican meatballs, as well as the classic brunch staples like avocado on toast and eggs. Take a visit to this cafe and you won’t be disappointed.
6. Cook & Archies
Shop 1a 4/14 Buckingham Street Surry Hills | (02) 9310 3933 | http://www.cookandarchies.com.au/
I went to Cook & Archies in Surry Hills for the first time this month, and wow was I impressed. The vibe of the cafe was relaxed, the coffees hit the spot, and the food…oh my goodness. If you go to Cook & Archies, I recommend getting the Ricotta Hotcakes with caramelised banana, maple syrup and mascarpone. It truly revolutionised my breakfast game.
I hope you enjoyed reading about my top 6 brunch spots! You might also like:
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