The 15 cafe icons and institutions making Sydney a better place to live

Sydney is blessed with dozens of Middle Eastern sweet shops, but there are none quite like family-owned Abla’s Pastries. This sugar-spun wonderland of Lebanese patisserie has been serving plates of freshly made baklava, semolina knafeh and its famous znoud el sit (golden “ladies arms” of fried filo pastry, velvety ashta cream and sugar syrup) since 1984.

It recently expanded from Granville to a second location in Dulwich Hill. Staff are eager to help you navigate the beautiful (but unmarked) displays, recommending the best of a 200-strong product line that now includes ice-cream, cake and specialty coffee until 10pm daily.

52 Railway Parade, Granville; 449 Marrickville Road, Dulwich Hill, ablaspastries.com.au

bills

Whether you’ve scored a coveted booth seat at the sunlit Double Bay restaurant, or seated at the communal table in Darlinghurst, Bill Granger’s four cafes (see also, Bondi and Surry Hills) have become the home of brunch in Sydney.

From fluffy hotcakes flecked with honeycomb butter to soft, custardy scrambled eggs on sourdough; the late, great Bill Granger perfected breakfast staples. And, knowing our love of a weekend lie-in, he made them available all day. Since there’s no rush, follow your Single O coffee with a Korean chilli-spiked Bloody Mary.

Best for: Best-in-class brunch classics.

79 Hall Street, Bondi Beach; 433 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst; 16 Cross Street
Double Bay; 355 Crown Street, Surry Hills, bills.com.au

Cafe Cre Asion

Owner Yu Sasaki pioneered Sydney’s matcha movement with the opening of Cafe Cre Asion in 2011. He’s since expanded to two small, minimalist cafes in North Sydney and Pyrmont, each serving a considered menu of green-hued drinks and desserts – from matcha cream curled into Swiss rolls to matcha powder whisked into iced lattes, and mossy green matcha muffins.

Good to know: Peruse the shelves for ceremonial-grade matcha powder and whisks.

18 Eden Street, North Sydney, creasion.com.au

Circa Espresso

Circa has been at the top of Parramatta’s cafe scene for over 15 years, steady in its Victorian terrace home as skyscrapers have risen around it. Whatever the weather, there are pram-toting, dog-walking regulars queuing for house-roasted coffee and brunch with Middle-Eastern touches.

Baked eggs bolstered with sujuk soothe the soul, and there’s soft house-baked focaccia for dragging through saucy remains. Also try its new brand of sticky chai for a cup that sings of spice and honey.

Good to know: The tea selection is excellent.

21 Wentworth Street, Parramatta, circaespresso.com.au

Flour and Stone

For an international tourist in Sydney, Flour and Stone’s panna cotta lamington should be as essential as an Opera House visit or buying knock-off Ugg boots.

The clientele at Nadine Ingram’s tiny bakery is often more local though, here for the signature lemon drizzle cake, brown butter tarts, scones, her glorious flourless chocolate cake and so much more. Everything that comes out of the oven is cosier than wearing sheepskin boots on a Sunday morning.

Must order: The lamington or lemon drizzle if you’re a F&S first-timer, but ask about the monthly cake specials too.

53 Riley Street, Woolloomooloo, flourandstone.com.au

La Paula

La Paula is Sydney’s oldest Chilean bakery and a Western Sydney institution. You might have heard about its empanadas, parcels of deep-fried shortcut pastry and molten mozzarella; or the hot dogs, piped with mayonnaise like a vintage birthday cake; but don’t overlook the pastry cabinet.

Recipes, passed down through generations of the founding Casanova family, often feature manjar, a fudgy Chilean dulce de leche. Chilenito blanco is a classic, layering manjar with biscuits and meringue; but if you love a millefeuille you must try the Latin American version, miljoha – rich with caramel, just as delicious.

9 Barbara Street, Fairfield, instagram.com/la_paula_syd

Maggio’s

If a new Sydney airport expansion (inside T3) is a sign that Maggio’s is on an growth path, the queues in Cammeray are signs that the original – founded by three brothers in 1998 – still has its eye closely on the ball. Swing past the cafe and all-day breakfast staples join a stacked panini menu; hit the bakery and pasticceria and the Italian-accented cakes (try the ricotta cheesecake), pastries and biscotti catch the eye. And don’t forget an espresso, made on Maggio’s own signature blend. Also in North Ryde.

Must order: Pasta and hefty sandwiches are also on the menu, but it’s the Italian eggs poached in tomato and basil sauce that’s our go-to.

457 Miller Street, Cammeray; 463 Miller Street, Cammeray; Unit 8/144 Coxs Road, North Ryde, maggios.com.au

Marrickville Pork Roll

“This is the original and the best Marrickville Pork Roll,” says Nga Du, who co-founded the banh mi shop in a former toilet block with husband Khiem Du in 2008, and moved to a larger space next door in 2021.

Their Vietnamese pork sandwiches are consistently ranked among the city’s best – the white bread rolls are baked fresh (crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, so large it’s almost intimidating) then slathered with rich pâté and stacked with cold-cut pork, pickled vegetables and fresh salad.

Lengthy weekend queues led to a further four venues opening across Sydney, but Du considers this one, where she works, special: “Because I love it, I put my whole heart into it,” she says.

Must order: The crackling pork belly banh mi is her pick, but all options remain affordable, priced between $10 to $12.

436 Victoria Avenue (Chatswood Interchange), Chatswood;16 Steam Mill Lane, Haymarket; 3/225 Forest Road, Hurstville; 236A Illawarra Road, Marrickville; LG02/30 Denison Street (Victoria Cross Metro Station), North Sydney; 7 Loftus Lane, Sydney.

Raineri’s Continental Deli

It’s best to let the experts guide your panini adventure at this family-run, menu-free Italian deli – they have been doing it for 43 years, after all. Each sandwich is a masterclass in balance, housed in perfectly toasted focaccia to ensure you taste every nuance: the spicy salami, the creamy cheese, the salty olives and juicy tomatoes. Sadly, this year Peter Raineri passed away, but the legacy still lives on.

Good to know: The sandwich line forms about 10.30am and maintains its stamina for the next four hours.

97 Great North Road, Five Dock, facebook.com/raineri.delicatessen

Single O

Single O is the Platonic ideal of the neighbourhood cafe and, for more than 20 years, the Surry Hills outpost has attracted a steady stream of long-time locals and international tourists. The cafe doubles as a sustainable specialty coffee roaster, championing single origin beans and pioneering brewing technology. But it also does a great classic Aussie brunch, with a few twists such as yuzu in the eggs benedict (with smoked pork or trout) and banana bread with espresso butter.

Must try: The signature oat milk cold brew.

245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh; 60-64 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills, singleo.com.au

Sun Ming Coffee Lounge

Not many cafes have a row of bronzed, lacquered ducks hanging in the window. Alongside the hot pots and barbecued meats, Sun Ming serves up many of the classic breakfast dishes you’d find at any cha chaan teng (tea cafe) in Hong Kong.

Expect spam and omelette sandwiches, peanut butter French toast stacked three layers deep, and congee, soft and soothing, made Canto-style on broken rice – one of the best versions you’ll find this side of Causeway Bay. It might have been more than 30 years since Sun Ming opened, but it’s still loud, lively and packed with locals. Somehow, there’s always room for one more.

145/149 Church Street, Parramatta

St Jude Cafe

Saint Jude is the patron saint of lost causes – an ironic name choice for a neighbourhood cafe with such enduring success. For more than 14 years, this has been the go-to spot for the quintessential cafe experience: a cosy, light-filled former corner shop, with welcoming staff, vintage prints, indoor plants and squishy leather banquettes, ideal for curling up with a book and a cup loose-leaf tea (or glass of natural wine).

The menu is extensive, with brunch classics listed alongside nasi goreng and a loaded Philly cheesesteak sandwich.

Unit 1/728 Bourke Street, Redfern, stjudecafe.au

Thoroughbread Bakery

You know a bakery is good when it’s this busy after more than 12 years of operation. Owners Nick and Emma Tabet are known for making exceptional sourdough, using organic flour and slow fermentation to create a loaf with greater levity and flavour than most.

The sweet potato rye is the go-to, only available Saturdays, but it’ll be difficult to walk out without a treat from the pastry cabinet – maybe a doughnut, plump with poached rhubarb, tart and sweet, or the miniature pecan pie, a rare find in Sydney.

Good to know: Marrickville cafe Angus is co-owned by the Tabets.

19 Monro Avenue, Kirrawee, thoroughbreadbakery.com.au

Tucker

The Randwick original doesn’t feel like it’s more than 20 years old – the space is fresh, and the food has contemporary touches: gochujung aioli on a fried-chicken burger, and hulking sandwiches made with top produce. We might, partially, have Bill Granger’s legacy to thank – his influence seems ever-present, interwoven with Jewish culinary tradition, both here and at the newer Bellevue Hill location.

Grab a table outside, splashed in sunshine, and devour a big plate of eggs – fried, scrambled with sides (we love the half-serve option), or on a breakfast plate with Israeli salad. There are also ready-made meals – cottage pies, salmon risoni and soups – for home.

30 Clovelly Road, Randwick and 98G Bellevue Road, Bellevue Hill, tuckersydney.com

Yum Yum Bakery

It’s not often a cafe can celebrate its 35th birthday, but family owned Yum Yum Bakery is one of the exceptional few. The milestone prompted big moves – a second location in Concord, a new contemporary look in Guildford – and though there’s more seating than ever, they’re all taken come lunchtime.

It could be its food, a joyous expression of wood-fired Lebanese brunch fare. It could be its evolution, embracing modernity while maintaining tradition. But more than anything, it’s the warmth of its people – no matter who you are, you are welcome.

Good to know: The hospitality is as outstanding as the food at this 2026 Good Food Guide Cafe of the Year winner.

273 Guildford Road, Guildford, yumyumbakery.com.au

Can’t see your favourite cafe? Chances are it’s in another category. Explore the full list of the 100 Essential Cafes and Bakeries of 2026 in the Good Food app. It’s available as a standalone subscription and is included in premium digital Sydney Morning Herald subscriptions. Download it from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

Good Food reviews are visited anonymously and paid independently. A venue can’t pay for a review or inclusion in the 100 Essential Cafes and Bakeries guide.