A Sydney Café Owner’s Top Breakfast and Brunch Spots in the City

Spilling out into a Potts Point sidestreet is Room 10, a hole-in-the-wall café that serves up big flavours and the best coffee in the area. Room 10 is “tiny but seriously packs a lot of punch. Its menu blows me away every time, and watching everyone work makes me think of a symphony,” says Chirilas. Here, it’s all about elevated breakfast options, such as the breakfast rice with red rice, quinoa, seeds and stewed rhubarb. Other highlights include ocean trout-topped eggs, savoury wraps and hearty salads.

Tucked away in Manly’s revitalised Rialto Lane, Rollers Bakehouse is an on-trend brunch spot a few steps from the bustling Corso. The signature item here is its “next level” twice-baked croissants with tasty toppings and delectable fillings. The coffee is worth queueing up for and comes from Okay Coffee, a roastery project set up by the owners. Decked out in polished concrete and pastel hues, Rollers is a relaxed spot to refuel before heading to the beach. Don’t forget your phone either – “the fit-out is probably the most Instagram-friendly, ever,” says Chirilas.

“There’s literally nothing like it. It’s the first Swedish eatery in Sydney, and it’s packed with brunch options on its all-day menu. Yep, you can have meatballs at 7am (and people do),” says Chirilas. Next to the Manly Library, the café is brimming with Scandinavian touches, with the floor pattern referencing a popular meeting place in Stockholm and the bathroom styled as a Swedish outhouse. Swedish brewed coffee with free refills called påtår is served alongside Aussie espresso classics – and look out for Fika’s Name Days, a Swedish tradition where the name of the day gets a free coffee.

This Marrickville gem is a from-scratch café and bakery with a focus on organic produce. Chirilas says, “You can’t go past this one – the fact that it serves everything on Mud plates and bowls gets me every time.” The menu is Mediterranean-inspired with peperonata breakfast bruschetta and meze plates, along with healthy alternatives to a standard weekend fry-up. The beverage selection is thoughtfully crafted, with coffee sourced from nearby Microlot Coffee Roasters and house-made sticky chai, a raw honey-soaked spiced chai tea.

This neighbourhood spot nestled in a Balgowlah backstreet is a magnet for residents from the Northern Beaches area. Sun-drenched timber floors and furnishings make the space “such a sweet little corner of the world with the friendliest staff”, according to Chirilas. The menu includes imaginative takes on comforting breakfast staples, such as banana toast, avocado smash and a selection of toasties topped with unexpected gin or tequila relishes. The community feel of the place filters down to the suppliers, with bread and baked goods from nearby Berkelo in Brookvale. Chirilas’s tip? Give the nacho bowl a try.

One Another is a “small but sweet place” on a leafy corner in Newtown. This café is all about local charm, having established itself as a neighbourhood hang-out and “great healthy brunch option”. The simple, stripped-back brunch menu only has 10 items and no dishes over 20 Australian dollars (£10.70), including nostalgic orders like ‘choccy’ malted milkshakes made with house-made syrups. Food options range from no-nonsense bacon and egg rolls to wholesome smoked salmon salads. It’s a sure-fire winner for breakfast that delivers on budget and taste.

For a light breakfast option north of the Spit Bridge, head to Staple Bread and Necessities. For Chirilas, “It’s perfect if you’re pressed for time organising a brunch at home – just pop down and get all the freshly baked goods you need.” The sourdough here is award-winning, and the pastries are the perfect complement to your morning brew. The baker behind Staple is one of Sydney’s new wave set, pioneering a return to traditional baking with long fermentations and heritage grains. Stop by Seaforth and try one of Staple’s famed Balgowlah buns for yourself.

A new addition to the Surry Hills food scene, Shwarmama is, according to Chirilas, “the perfect hangover brunch place. No sitting down – just go in, get the tastiest wrap in the world and get out!” The menu is pared back, focussing on a few classic options done right, including the sabich (a breakfast sandwich with fried eggplant and boiled egg), succulent lamb or chicken shawarma (depending on the day) or herby falafel pita. To drink, get your caffeine fix from Shwarmama’s revamped instant coffee machine. With minimal seating available, it’s the perfect grab-and-go feed before wandering up to Crown Street’s shopping strip.

Kepos and Co. specialises in modern Middle Eastern breakfast spreads. “This is where I go to get something different. No bacon and eggs to be seen around here, and that’s what I love about it,” admits Chirilas. Hidden in a garden courtyard just off Danks Street in Waterloo, Kepos and Co. is one of Sydney’s best-kept brunch secrets. The menu by Israeli chef Michael Rantissi nails a traditional shakshuka just as well as reinvented classics like the Kepos benedict.

Perched along Balmoral’s glistening Esplanade, Kazzi Beach Greek is a casual eatery that has “probably the best and most understated Greek food in Sydney”, says Chirilas. Sample Mediterranean breakfast options such as a poached pear with traditional Greek yoghurt, or savoury zucchini and feta fritters. Daytime diners can opt for slow-roasted meats from the spit, generous sharing plates or even souvlaki wrap picnics to take to the beach. Chirilas’s “personal favourite is to go there with a few friends and get the platter for two to share”.