By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Whether you’re newly single, a sole WFH trader who wants to sip something warm or simply seeking a place to scroll through social media (uninterrupted), the best cafes for solo dining in Sydney make it perfectly acceptable to tuck into a plate of pancakes. Minus a plus one.
Sandy’s, nestled inside Australia’s first-ever surf park at URBNSURF in Sydney Olympic Park, is proof that solo doesn’t mean solitary. Designed by acclaimed Luchetti Krelle, this pastel-toned paradise oozes laid-back luxury and offers solo diners the ultimate staycation energy - no entourage necessary. Think sunny terrazzo tiles, bronze accents and a beachy breeze that screams surf’s up, stress down, so stay as long as you like!
You don’t need a surfboard to fit in here - just an appreciation for all-day eats (hello, breakfast burrito), good coffee and a prime position for people-watching from the spacious terrace. If you’re really keen on solitude, pre-book a poolside cabana and enjoy a picnic for one. With Calibrate Coffee flowing and sandy toes welcome, Sandy’s is the perfect spot to float through your morning solo.
No one will question your choice to sit at a table for one at Meidy’s. In fact, it’s practically a rite of passage for Bondi locals. This breezy little spot, just a short stroll from the beach, serves up Piazza D'Oro coffee and a warm welcome that makes flying solo feel fabulous.
The staff greet you like a regular (even if it’s your first time), the crowd is chill and the vibe is a perfect mix of relaxed and refined. Pair a fresh latte with your solo beach walk or park yourself for a little window-side journaling session. Either way, you’re golden.
Tucked inside the old Arnott’s building in North Strathfield, this colourful family-run cafe (photos of its members are literally glued to the walls) is where community, comfort and killer coffee converge. Generous seating, an open-view pantry behind the counters and the heavenly scent of house-baked pastries make Bar Biscotti a go-to for locals, including solo diners who will quickly be made to feel like part of the clan.
Don’t be surprised to spot the matriarch of the family, Nabila in the kitchen too. If you ever miss your mother and need a hug, just ask ‘Mama Baker’ to give you one of hers. She will happily oblige
Cool enough to embrace your own company? Head to so-hip-it-hurts Misc. - a seriously stylish greenhouse-like cafe tucked into Parramatta Park - for a table-for-one dining session that proves that solo doesn’t mean solitary.
With hanging greenery and archways of natural light, Misc is a feast for the senses. The menu is Mediterranean and made for mixing - think bacon and egg pitas, cheese pie, burek and banoffee French toast - but is so delicious we suggest opting for smaller portions and treating yourself.
While the charismatic presence of owner and Googlebox alumni Jad Nehmetallah could coax even the most demure diner out of their shell, the spacious layout means you can always nab a quiet corner to build your own Margarita (ask for the Misc Margarita Tray), do some creative work or enjoy a breakfast spanakopita in peace.
Whether you're Team Plain or Team Everything Bagel, George St Deli knows how to treat a solo visitor right. With New York deli energy and Aussie hospitality, this bagel haven (now with two locations) is the kind of place where it’s perfectly normal to sit alone with a coffee and a cookie...and maybe another cookie.
The mother-daughter duo behind the counter will make you feel right at home (with mother Bernadette coming through with some fabulous stories), while the retro tunes will soundtrack your solo snack session like you’re the main character in a rom-com. Try the lox classic, the pastrami stack, or if you're in your sweet tooth era, the Nutella bagel. Trust us: this is solo self-care in sandwich form.
