The bustling streets of Chatswood might be best known for their Asian restaurants, but the area’s coffee scene is just as exciting. Culture Trip visits the top 10 brunch spots in Chatty.
The lively North Shore suburb of Chatswood hums with busy workers and shoppers, and plenty of them are powered by caffeine and a big breakfast. From inventive dishes at trendy speciality coffee joints to good old-fashioned big breakfasts, try these 10 terrific brekky places in Chatswood, Sydney.
Elbow Room brought quality inner-city coffee to this corner of Sydney’s North Shore when it opened its doors five years ago, treating the Chatswood crowds to cold drips and speciality brews alongside the standard lattes and long blacks. And the creativity doesn’t end with coffee – there are plenty of inventive brekky options like the teriyaki chicken sandwich, mac and cheese croissant, and the Moroccan lamb sandwich.
Formerly known as Lid & Jar, this Chatswood stalwart has received a total makeover in 2018, refocusing its attention on coffee – ‘Frankie’ is the name of their brand new bean supplier. The interior has also benefited from a rustic makeover – think exposed brick and blonde wood – and the all-day breakfast menu is lighter and fresher, with plenty of good veggie options.
This light, airy cafe is perched on the Pacific Highway, plating up some of Chatswood’s best (and best-value) brekkies. Allure serves Pablo and Rusty’s speciality coffee as well as loads of yummy brunch dishes – everything from classics like Eggs Benedict and Belgian waffles to new-age fruit açaí smoothie bowls and scrambled eggs with quinoa and pico de gallo salsa.
Owing its name to the café’s prime location right outside the gates of Chatswood railway station, this cosy coffee shop doles out cakes, pastries, wraps and quick takeaway brekkies to commuters, as well as an all-day breakfast menu for eat-in diners. The halloumi and avocado bagel is Locomotion’s speciality, and you can even place your food order via an app for an extra-speedy pick-up.
Sitting just away from the Chatswood crowds on the quieter Help St, Chimichuri serves Instagrammable breakfasts with a distinctly Latin American flavour. The soft-shell crab ‘Black Benedict’ is the café’s signature, chorizo and chimichuri sauce season many of the other brunch options, and there’s even an upmarket truffle menu to peruse.
This sun-filled café near Chatswood station is a good-value, good-quality, no-nonsense choice for brekky where you can find all your classic brunch meals – bacon and eggs, omelettes, smashed avo and the like. After breakfast time, Cafe New York is also one of the best spots in Chatswood to tuck into a juicy steak or sticky plate of ribs.
Welcome to a garden oasis within the bustling Chatswood Westfield, offering a leafy place to escape from the busy shopping centre. You might have to queue for a table – Flower Child is one of the most popular cafés in Chatswood – but the wait is worth it for a cup of coffee and a fresh, fruity breakfast in the leafy, light-filled setting.
On the other side of Victoria Avenue in Chatswood Chase, Rossini is the go-to brunch option within the neighbourhood’s other major shopping centre. Look forward to a warm welcome from the staff as you dive into your morning cuppa and plate of bacon and eggs. There’s plenty of pasta on offer for lunch, too.
There’s a common theme among Cafe Markus’ many glowing online reviews: friendly service, friendly service, and more friendly service. Situated on Spring St just away from the Victoria Avenue hustle and bustle, Cafe Markus brews consistent coffee and serves delicious big breakfasts, as well as value-for-money coffee and food deals.
A recent renovation has made this Chatswood favourite even more popular. Houlihan’s receives plenty of foot traffic from Chatswood’s many shoppers and workers, who know they can pop into this welcoming café for a crowd-pleasing bircher muesli, smashed avo bruschetta, BLT sandwich, Spanish omelette or Eggs Benedict.
