By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
The harbour city’s mid-morning dining scene has officially moved past smashed avo and Instagram selfies to prove that the meal between breakfast and lunch can be colourful, indulgent and downright fun.
From crumpets and caviar to maple-glazed fried chicken pancakes, here are six Sydney spots taking brunch to a whole new level:
The Pumpkin Patch at Rusty Rabbit
The merch, music and menu all pop at The Rusty Rabbit - and prove that brunch can be social, stylish and seriously fun.
Instead of (or okay, in addition to) avo toast, owners and brothers Jamesray and Josh encourage diners to try the Pumpkin Patch. Here, smashed pumpkin on soy linseed toast is topped with creamy avocado, peppery rocket and herb salad, whipped feta clouds, pickled onions that zing, chewy raisins, crunchy pepitas and a drizzle of honey balsamic that ties it all together.
Three-Egg Omelette with Fromage at Lou Lou
Lou Lou makes brunch look très chic by transforming a humble omelette into an art form. The three-egg version with fromage is fluffy, melty and buttery, seasoned to perfection and folded like a secret waiting to be discovered. The fresh herbs sprinkled on top make it feel like brunch and fine dining had a very stylish lovechild.
Crumpets and Caviar at Franca
At Franca’s relaunched Veuve Clicquot brunch, crumpets and caviar deliver a playfully extravagant alternative to avo toast, by way of pillowy crumpets crowned with black pearl Oscietra caviar, smoky salmon roe, rainbow trout roe and ikura shoyu azure.
Every bite bursts with briny pop, buttery softness and a hint of decadent mischief. Champagne is optional - but seriously, why would you skip it?
Arepas Benedict at TQM Paddington
If Latin American flavours make you want to swap your scrambled eggs for something with a little more spice, TQM in Paddington is a weekend must. Executive Chef Jose Garcia turns brunch into a fiesta with dishes like cachito cheese, huevos rancheros and the show-stopping arepas Benedict.
Poached eggs swim in silky Hollandaise and sauce provenzal atop a fried arepa that is crisp on the outside, pillowy within and guaranteed to make your taste buds salsa before your first Mimosa.
Chilli Scrambled Eggs Croffle at Wayfarers Bar and Cafe
Wayfarers brings a touch of wanderlust to brunch. The chilli scrambled eggs croffle stacks a croissant waffle with chorizo, mushroom XO, scrambled eggs, Parmesan, red onion, chilli, pickled onion and coriander. It’s messy, punchy and completely unexpected, a little sweet, a little spicy and a whole lot of wow.
For a lighter but still playful option, the Romesco bruschetta layers roasted beetroot, cherry truss tomatoes, walnuts and garlic oil on fruit toast for a crunchy, tangy, nutty bite that feels like a secret treat.
Pancakes with Maple-Glazed Fried Chicken at Mary’s North Sydney
Given the signature trash-can bacon, it’s safe to assume that Mary’s doesn’t do brunch quietly. The stacks of pancakes are particularly indulgent, but truly deliver a new level of unapologetic extravagance when paired with maple-glazed fried chicken.
With bottomless Mimosas, Bloody Marys, house wine or beer to seal the deal, Mary’s brunch isn’t for the faint-hearted; it’s for anyone who wants fun, flavour and a fair bit of chaos on a plate.
