Not so long ago, breakfast in Sydney's CBD used to mean a fast food muffin with questionable fillings. Luckily, our hub for suit-clad workers now offer some of the best breakfasts in Sydney. If you're a muesli-on-the-go fan, go crazy for crepes, or simply love to tackle a big breakfast before a big day, there are plenty of poached, fried, stewed or flipped options for the most important meal of the day in the city. Good luck deciding!
Aplha Restaurant | Castlereagh Street
We've all fallen in love with Alpha's dinner menu, but the breakfast offerings are just as delicious and twice as innovative. Deliciously trendy Will & Co coffee is on the menu, or you can opt for a traditional Greek coffee. We can't go past baked eggs with roasted peppers, tomatoes and eggplant when we're on the lookout for something hearty, while the maple, walnut & cranberry granola with yoghurt and blueberries will hit the spot and satisfy any sweet tooth.
Sourdough Panini Bakery & Cafe | York Street
Remember how excited you were when salted caramel became a thing and started popping up everywhere? Well, Sourdough have your new favourite breakfast in the form of grilled bacon and aged cheddaron raisin toast. It is the blend of sweet and savoury to get you excited about your day. If you're more of a classics fan, the BLT on organic sourdough with house aioli will have you coming back day after day, as will the classic bacon and egg roll on a Turkish panini with BBQ mayo. Be sure to grab a cup of delicious Campos coffee while you're there, too.
Baroque Pantry | George Street
From the geniuses that brought you La Renaissance Patisserie, Baroque Pantry are open for brunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and fully support your choice to partake in a morning cocktail or two. Go with the French theme and indulge in the croque madame, a perfectly crunchy grilled ham and cheese sandwich topped with a fried egg, or keep it fresh with the toasted granola with Meredith sheep milk yoghurt, berries and honey. Bonjour breakfast!
Fino Par | Cnr Elizabeth Street & Golburn Street
The Spanish-inspired menu at Fino Par will have you returning for many reasons, one of them being they fully support the art of the morning cocktail. We recommend tucking into the Spanish hash; slow cooked peppers and potato served with poached eggs and smoked paprika, or the heavenly house-made crumpets that come out dripping with Valencia orange gel and honey-sweetened queso fresco.
Kingswood Coffee | World Square
From the guys who brought you the super-chilled Barefoot Coffee Traders in Manly comes Kingswood, a testament to the art of unbeatable coffee and the flakiest, most buttery baked goods this side of Paris. While the menu is small, it's definitely memorable you can still grab a pastry, toastie, or helping of Belgian waffles with your morning cuppa and watch the coffee connoisseurs work their magic. They also serve brewnuts from Brewtown, which are a perfectly acceptable breakfast option, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Metro St James | Elizabeth Street
A little taste of Paris in the CBD, Metro St James sits behind St James station, making it an ideal pit stop on your commute to work. You'll have the option of indoor or alfresco dining while perusing the menu; we fell head over heels for the slow cooked pulled pork toastie with fried onions, handmade BBQ sauce and Swiss cheese on crunchy sourdough, while health nuts will delight in the chilled vanilla rice pudding with rhubarb and strawberry compote with puffed quinoa and ginger syrup.
Momo Brasserie | Elizabeth Street
Another time-honoured favourite among city dwellers, Momo Brasserie is the perfect place to mentally prepare yourself for the day ahead. Word on the street is their famous French toast with smoky bacon, Canadian maple syrup and berry compote is worthy of a public service announcement, while the humble poached eggs with prosciutto, haloumi and roast tomatoes will hit the spot every time.
Baker Bros | York Street
Two bearded Italian brothers have set up shop on York Street and have already got themselves a massive following, which is no mean feat in Sydney's café market. Hungry city-dwellers will be satisfied with a great cup of coffee from Veneziano Coffee Roasters while they nibble on the 'farmer Jo' bircher muesli with fruit and yoghurt, or indulge in Baker Bros' pulled pork benedict on a super soft brioche bun.
Bowery Lane | O'Connell Street
One of our new favourites, Bowery Lane caters to all kinds of breakfast cravings. Start with a jug of fresh juice for the table before working your way through the menu that focuses on fresh produce and innovative combinations. Sweet tooths will delight in the banana bread stack with maple whipped labneh, pistachios and berry compote, while savoury lovers might opt for the smashed avocado with Persian feta and rocket on sourdough with a perfectly runny poached egg and cherry tomato.
Greenheart Espresso | Kent Street
We do love a good hole-in-the-wall café, especially one that is adorned with teal tiles and is run by an adorable husband and wife team. Greenheart Espresso has brought us joy in all the right ways. Serving Little Marionette Coffee and offering a selection of Brasserie Bread goodies for you to munch on in the morning, this little café is a relaxed haven in the bustling CBD that will deliver your morning meal with a smile every time.
Still hungry? Discover more of Sydney's best breakfasts here.
Image Credits: Baroque Pastry, Spicy Southern Kitchen,
Originally posted on The Urban List