The best breakfast in Sydney depends on what you want with it: bills for the ricotta hotcakes Oprah went back for, Celsius on Kirribilli Wharf for harbour views, The Grounds of Alexandria for a whole morning out, and my favourite, Sunrise Kiosk at Warriewood Beach, for an ocean view without the crowds.
Steve and I lived in Sydney for years, and Kirribilli was our old neighbourhood. We came back this winter, and Sydney food is still so amazing compared to what we get on the Sunshine Coast. The cafes here mix fresh local produce with flavours from all over the world, from Lebanese breakfast boards to Thai congee.
Sydney has so many places for breakfast, so this guide narrows it to 30 cafes by area, with what to order, opening times, 2026 prices and quick answers to the questions people ask most.
Some picks come from Rebecca Shinn and Amii Freeman, who wrote the first version, and each one says whose pick it is.
The best breakfast in Sydney at a glance
| What you want | Where to go |
|---|---|
| An ocean view without the crowds | Sunrise Kiosk, Warriewood |
| Black pudding | The Fine Food Store, The Rocks |
| A morning out with family from the UK | The Grounds of Alexandria |
| Something different | Boon, Haymarket |
| A big breakfast to share | Cafe Levant, Greenacre |
Where’s the best breakfast on Sydney’s Northern Beaches?
We’d move here in a heartbeat if we could. Our Northern Beaches guide covers every beach.
1. Sunrise Kiosk, Warriewood Beach (my favourite)
Steve and I spent two months pet sitting in Warriewood over Christmas, and this little kiosk in the surf club became our breakfast spot. It sits just above the sand, looking along the beach to Mona Vale. Warriewood is hidden from the main road, so it’s always far quieter than Mona Vale next door. When I went back in August, it was just as lovely as I remembered.
Walk it off on the track to Turimetta Beach, one of my favourite Northern Beaches walks. Open daily, 6am to 2:30pm.
2. The Sneaky Grind, Avalon Beach
We found this one hunting for the best breakfast in Avalon. You build your own eggs, and we had the smashed avo with feta, smoked salmon and boiled eggs, plus a green smoothie, and both were delicious. The outdoor seating spills into the laneway. Open 6am to 1pm. More in our Avalon restaurants guide.
3. Armchair Collective, Mona Vale
Our long-time tip for breakfast in Mona Vale, a short walk from the famous rock pool. Open daily, 6:45am to 2:30pm.
4. The Waterfront Cafe & General Store, Church Point
Church Point is where the ferry leaves for Scotland Island, where we stayed at Scotland Island Lodge. Amii’s order was the classic big breakfast with hash browns, looking out over Pittwater. Open daily from 6:30am.
5. The Boathouse Shelly Beach, Manly
Our pick for the best brunch in Manly, at the end of the short walk from Manly Beach to Shelly Beach, one of the best Manly walks. Open daily from 7am.
6. Have an expert coffee at the Ministry of Coffee, Rose Bay
Ah how I love thee, because Ministry of Coffee’s menu is to die for. Usually I’ll order the bruschetta, my favourite in Sydney but recently I went for this poached eggs dish which was equally as good. This is easily one of the best breakfast in Sydney!
6. The Pantry, Manly
The Pantry has ocean views right on the beachfront. Start light with the fruit plate and house granola, or try the veggie breakfast board with grilled halloumi, the minute steak breakfast, or smoked kippers if you’re missing home. Open daily from 6:30am. Amii’s pick.
Where can you eat breakfast with a Sydney Harbour view?
7. Celsius Coffee & Dining, Kirribilli Wharf
Celsius was our go-to breakfast in Sydney when Kirribilli was our neighbourhood. Catch the ferry from Circular Quay and step off at the door. It’s famous for its waffles, and there are only a few tables and no bookings, so get there early at weekends.
Open from 7:30am weekdays, 8am weekends.
8. The Flying Bear, Kirribilli
After our sunrise kayak tour this winter, we spent our $20 breakfast credit here, and after being up since 4:30am it was the perfect finish. You eat watching the boats on Careening Cove, and it’s dog friendly. Breakfast runs from 7am to 11:30am.
9. Against the Grind, Neutral Bay
A deli that makes its own meats, sauces, cheese and bread. Amii had a maple bacon and egg roll with Swiss cheese. Open from 6am weekdays, 6:30am weekends.
Where’s the best breakfast in Bondi and the Eastern Suburbs?
10. bills, Bondi Beach (Oprah’s pick)
When Oprah toured Australia in December 2025, Hugh Jackman told her the ricotta hotcakes at bills were the “best in the world”. She walked the Bondi to Bronte coastal walk, then went to bills in Bondi. According to MiNDFOOD, she loved them so much she went back for more, twice.
Bill Granger opened the first bills in Darlinghurst in 1993, cooking fresh, modern Australian food. He died on Christmas Day 2023, and his hotcakes with banana and honeycomb butter are still the dish everyone orders, at about $33. The corn fritters are the other classic.
Open daily from 7am, breakfast until 12pm, walk-ins only (bookings start at 5pm). Also in Surry Hills and Double Bay, and Darlinghurst reopens in late November. Walk there the Oprah way with our South Coogee to Bondi walk. Bills is ALWAYS renowned as one of the best breakfasts in Sydney and it’s true!
11. Speedos Cafe, North Bondi
Speedos was once voted the world’s most Instagrammable cafe, and the views over Bondi live up to it. The Caramelised Banana Pancakes ($27) are the famous order, and the poke bowl with black rice is a lighter option. Expect a queue at weekends. Open daily, 6am to 3pm. Rebecca’s go-to, and there’s more in our Bondi restaurants guide.
12. White Rabbit, Double Bay
Rebecca’s favourite breakfast in Sydney, thanks to a passionfruit panna cotta with granola. Get the thick Bread & Butter Project toast too. Open daily, 7am to 3:30pm.
13. Indigo, Double Bay
Great food, great service and the best people watching in the Eastern Suburbs, according to Rebecca. The staff seem to love their jobs, which gives it a welcoming atmosphere. Open from 6:30am (7am Sundays).
14. A Man and his Monkey, Randwick
Amii calls this the best shakshuka in Sydney, served with Bread & Butter Project sourdough. It made our best sandwiches in Sydney list too. Walk-ins only, daily from 6:15am.
15. The Lion and Buffalo, South Coogee
Miso mushrooms and poached eggs on Iggy’s sourdough, or black forest waffles. It’s a good start for the coastal walk to Bondi. Open daily, 7am to 2pm. Amii’s pick.
16. The Botanica, Vaucluse
Huge indoor plants and velvet chairs make this one feel fancy enough for special occasions. Amii went for the Arabic pancakes. Breakfast is weekends only, from 9am.
Where’s the best breakfast in the CBD, Surry Hills and Darlinghurst?
Surry Hills and Darlinghurst have some of Sydney’s best cafe culture, all within walking distance of the city.
17. The Fine Food Store, The Rocks
Missing home? This is where to find black pudding, as a side ($7) or on the loaded breakfast panini ($21.50). There’s more in our guide to British food in Sydney. Open from 7am weekdays, 7:30am weekends. Amii’s pick.
18. Bowery Lane, Sydney CBD
Gorgeous interiors near Circular Quay. Rebecca’s picks were the skillet baked eggs and the crab omelette. Weekdays only, 7am to 3pm.
19. Boon, Haymarket
This Thai cafe sits inside a grocery store and blends Thai and Western breakfasts. The congee with bacon and egg is the dish everyone talks about. It’s on our list for next time, and it’s open until 10pm.
20. The Basket Brothers, Sydney CBD
Amii’s pick is the pumpkin breakfast bruschetta with ricotta and pomegranate. Open from 6:30am weekdays, 7am weekends.
21. Four Ate Five, Surry Hills
A corner cafe on a leafy Surry Hills street, with amazing coffee. Rebecca had the Israeli breakfast plate, and those are carrots on it, not sausages. Open from 7am weekdays.
22. The Rusty Rabbit, Darlinghurst
Quirky local artwork covers the walls, and the signature dish is the Lamb Eggs: za’atar poached eggs with lamb kafta and labneh on sourdough. The fruit pancakes are the sweet favourite. It takes reservations, handy at weekends. Open from 7am weekdays, 8am weekends. Amii’s pick.
23. Local Mbassy, Ultimo
Red velvet pancakes, red velvet lattes and red velvet waffles. The pancakes are still the signature dish after years! Opens at 6:30am weekdays. Amii’s pick.
Where’s the best breakfast in the Inner West and inner south?
24. The Grounds of Alexandria
A garden cafe with a little farm, a florist and a restaurant. Rebecca went in her first week in Sydney and fell for the pig. It’s a lovely morning out when family visit from the UK (more ideas in our guide to Sydney with your parents). Open daily from 7:30am. The Grounds of the City, pictured, is near Town Hall.
25. Kepos Street Kitchen, Redfern
Chef Michael Rantissi’s Middle Eastern cafe does shakshuka with white tahini, and Turkish eggs with burnt butter and crispy shallots. It’s worth checking out, and it’s on our list for next time. Open daily from 8am, breakfast until about 11:30am, then lunch.
26. Sub-Station, Rosebery
The original Alexandria cafe is closed for renovations, so head to Rosebery. Amii’s picks were the Jerusalem bagel benedict, then challah French toast for a second course. Open from 6:30am (7am Sundays).
27. Two Chaps, Marrickville
Everything is made from scratch here, with fresh-baked bread and pastries. Amii’s tip is the sticky chai. Open from 7am weekdays.
28. Kurumac, Marrickville
Japanese comfort food for breakfast. Amii loved the grilled salmon congee and the cod roe omelette with seaweed butter. Open daily, 7am to 3pm.
Where’s the best breakfast in Western Sydney?
29. Circa, Parramatta
The ottoman eggs are the most popular dish, with crumbed eggplant, garlic labneh, burnt chilli and sage butter. Open from 7am weekdays, 8am weekends. Amii’s pick.
30. Cafe Levant, Greenacre
The Sultan’s Breakfast is a huge Lebanese breakfast board for two, with eggs, sujuk sausage, grilled halloumi, labneh, hash browns and a pot of tea. Bring friends and an appetite. It’s on our list for next time. Open from 5:30am weekdays.
How much does breakfast cost in Sydney?
Plan on $20 to $40 a person for a cooked breakfast and a coffee. These prices are from the menus in October 2026.
| Dish | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Regular coffee | The Flying Bear | $6 |
| Poached eggs on sourdough | The Fine Food Store | $16 |
| Smashed avo with poached eggs | Speedos | $27 |
| Caramelised Banana Pancakes | Speedos | $27 |
| Big breakfast | Speedos / The Flying Bear | $29 / $31 |
| Ricotta hotcakes | bills | about $33 |
Breakfast in Sydney FAQs
Where is the best breakfast in Sydney?
Sunrise Kiosk at Warriewood for an ocean view without crowds, bills for the most famous breakfast, and Celsius in Kirribilli for harbour views.
Where did Oprah have breakfast in Sydney?
At bills in Bondi in December 2025, for the ricotta hotcakes. MiNDFOOD reported she went back for more, twice.
Where can I get a full English breakfast in Sydney?
The Fine Food Store in The Rocks has black pudding, and the Flying Bear does a big breakfast with bacon, sausage and hash brown.
What time do Sydney cafes stop serving breakfast?
Most stop breakfast at 11:30am or midday and close by 3pm. Popular spots get long weekend queues, so go early.
Can you book breakfast in Sydney?
Mostly no. Many cafes are walk-in only, including Celsius and the Flying Bear, though The Rusty Rabbit takes reservations.
More Sydney food guides
For a special occasion, see our best fine dining restaurants in Sydney. We’ve also rounded up bottomless brunch, the best coffee and vegan restaurants for plant-based breakfasts.
What’s your favourite breakfast in Sydney? Tell me in the comments. I’m always after new ones for our next trip back.
Rebecca Shinn wrote the first version of this guide, and Amii Freeman updated it. I refreshed it in October 2026 with our own favourites.
