Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Sydney

"If you’re a fan of cutting-edge Australian and international modern art, a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) on the western side of Circular Quay is an absolute must. Housed in an impressive art deco building right at the waterfront, the MCA is dedicated to exhibiting, collecting and interpreting the work of today’s contemporary artists. The building alone is enough reason to visit this museum."

"The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia is a cultural marvel and houses a brilliant range of contemporary art. The venue is free to visit and children are warmly received. Throughout both the school term and the Sydney school holidays, the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia offers a range of family fun activities."

"Escape to the country at one of Sydney’s most Instagrammed cafes, complete with a coffee roastery, artisan bakery, sustainable garden, and a small animal farm (home to resident pig Kevin Bacon!). This urban sanctuary occupies over an acre of space in a former industrial precinct in Alexandria, an inner-city suburb south of the CBD. The cafe's breakfast staples include avocado on toast, a burger on a brioche bun, fluffy buttermilk pancakes, and a healthful bowl of organic black rice and kale."

"A firm Sydney lunch favourite since opening, The Grounds of Alexandria has gone from strength to strength. This destination restaurant and café has a paddock-to-plate approach, and will have you munching down on the likes of buttermilk pancakes, Turkish-style eggs and toasted crumpets, or tempting you with the hearty Brekkie Burger served with a side of polenta chips. There is also a bakery churning out all kinds of delicious breads, muffins, cakes and tarts."

"Owners Mark LaBrooy, Darren Robertson and Andy Allen understand just how hard it can be to get moving in the morning, which is why they serve their breakfast menu all day long. If brunch turns into linner, it won’t matter. You’ll still be able to tuck into corn fritters with guacamole, smoked ocean trout with potato hash and black sausage with scrambled eggs, as well as cold-pressed juices and Single O coffee."

"Three Blue Ducks Bronte is offering its full breakfast, lunch and dinner menus for takeaway 7 days a week, Saturday and Sunday 7 am-7 pm, Monday to Friday 7 am-3 pm (coffee from 6:30 am). They have also launched new ‘Weekend Feast’ boxes for $75, serving two, which are prepped and ready for pick up from the Bronte cafe to finish at home."

"Bringing diverse, complex and bold flavours to The Rocks, ASLAN Coffee Roasters source their coffee beans solely from the Indonesian Archipelago – before roasting them locally in St Peters. The islands of Indonesia have a reputation for some of the best coffee in the world, and after a visit to ASLAN, it’s not hard to see why. Taste the heavy body and sweet overall impression of coffee from Java (the origin of the coffee nickname), smooth and supple to the last drop."

"Nestled in one of Sydney’s most historic spots is the latest venture by St Peters’ Aslan Coffee Roasters. Bringing a slice of the inner west to the CBD, this cafe provides The Rocks with its best coffee — and we’re mighty glad to see good brews finally make their way to this part of the city. On the bar, you’ll find everything from a house blend to on-tap nitro coffee and single origin drops, all sourced from Indonesia."

"Known for its toasted bacon and eggs, chicken sandwich, and eggplant benedict, Cool Mac is one of the best places to enjoy a substantial coffee breakfast. It is also an ideal location if you are looking for a quiet place to work or go on a date. Address: 2/34 Burton St, Kirribilli NSW 2061, Australia"

"When the crew at The Oxford Tavern crank up Black Betty, the affectionately dubbed barbeque on the patio of the revamped Petersham pub, the aroma of smoked brisket & pulled pork draws BBQ lovers from all over the Inner West. New management have bestowed a new life unto this pub that was previously known for pokies, cheap drinks, and topless barmaids. Now, they’ve taken their rightful position as one of the best American BBQ restaurant in Sydney."

"Cafe Vizio Caffe e Cucina is laden with old-world charm and customers are treated like family. For a unique breakfast experience, order your cup of robust, specially-curated beans and bring a few friends along to enjoy a breakfast fit for royalty. Pair it with a traditional Italian pastry, or fill yourself up with some bacon and eggs."

"Share the pleasures of life with friends and family at Vizio Caffe e Cucina on William Street in Woolloomooloo. With a name that has two meanings – family and home – catch up over a good dose of caffe..."

"Boasting a rooftop set above The Rocks skyline, The Glenmore’s uninterrupted views are popular with Sydneysiders looking to get a birds-eye view of Vivid. The delicious pub fare and range of beers on tap provide the perfect casual setting for a Vivid dinner. The Glenmore rooftop is alfresco, so be sure to rug up."

"The Glenmore rooftop area has you covered in rain, hail or shine with its retractable roof and scenic setting. The views are what really make this one of the best in outdoor dining Sydney has on offer. It’s got views of the Harbour Bridge and the twinkling lights of the CBD."

"A "Sydney's best rooftops" list without the Glenmore is like a pub menu without schnitzel: unfathomable and incomplete. How's that Opera House view across Circular Quay?. Bloody spectacular, that's what, especially when Utzon's sails change colour with the sunset."

"You don’t have to fly to Germany to have a taste of Bavaria no more. This Munich-styled restaurant is famous for its happening celebrations for any occasions from birthdays, christmas or German-related (Oktoberfest). What you must try here are their specially imported Bavarian beers and the oven roasted pork knuckles."

"The venue was busy and I doubt they had enough staff to cater. It took a while to get any table service. But finally when we did the drinks came short."

"This 3-storey spot is best known for its rooftop bar, whiskey and craft beer. “The rooftop is the best,” said @sydneystriowski. View this post on Instagram"