Best Cafes in Sydney: 10 of the Prettiest to Try

The Sydney cafes scene seems to have stepped up its game in the last few years (thank you, Instagram) with more and more cafes trying to one-up one another with spectacularly pretty interiors. Lucky for us patrons, we get to bask in all the prettiest any day of the week. So whether you're doin' it for the gram, need a new cafe to try, or simply love being in a breathtakingly beautiful interior, here are 10 of the prettiest cafes in Sydney to try. 

1. The Tiny Giant

The Tiny Giant in Petersham is undoubtedly insta-famous thanks to its pretty interiors and even prettier dishes. The Tiny Giant's menu sounds too good to be true (over-the-rainbow bagels and unicorn toasties!) but true it most definitely is and one of the main reasons there's usually a queue out the door on weekends, plus their designer coffees are insane! Stop by for a visit during the week to avoid the crowds, or grab a coffee and pastry to go.

The Tiny Giant location: 10 Audley Street, Petersham
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 6.30 am to 3 pm; Saturday to Sunday 7.30 am to 3 pm.

2. Concrete Jungle

Greenery abounds at Concrete Jungle in Chippendale. From their lush botanical interiors to their eco-conscious plant-based menu, it's go green or go home at Concrete Jungle and we'll definitely go green thanks. The concrete-meets-jungle interiors are to die for and the menu only serves fresh local produce. Head to their Central Park eatery for day-time dining or stop by their Roar Bar for a tasty tipple in the evening. 

Concrete Jungle location: 15 Kensington Street, Chippendale
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 7 am to 3 pm; Saturday to Sunday 7 am to 4 pm. Roar Bar: Wednesday to Friday 4 pm to 10.30 pm; Saturday to Sunday 1 pm to 10.30 pm.

3. Flower Child

Speaking of botanical interiors, Flower Child bring the outdoors in at their two Sydney cafes. Flower Child Chatswood and Flower Child Warringah Mall are filled with pretty florals and hanging plant baskets making for a calming oasis to drink and dine. As for the Flower Child menu, both cafes offer delicious coffees, breakfasts and lunches - all totally insta-worthy!

Flower Child locations: Shop 391, 1 Anderson Street, Chatswood & Westfield Warringah Mall, Brookvale.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 8 am to 4 pm. 

4. Speedos

As far as Sydney's prettiest cafes go, you can't beat Speedos in Bondi for that view and those dishes! Speedos in North Bondi is in fact so pretty, it was named the most Instagrammable cafe in the world - the world! Along with pretty views of Bondi Beach, Speedos offers pretty dishes to the likes of colourful bliss bowls, soft-shell crab burgers, and incredible milkshakes to name just a few.

Speedos Bondi location: 126 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 6 am to 4 pm.

5. The Navy Bear

The Navy Bear just has to be included on the prettiest cafes in Sydney list for those amazing views. You couldn't get closer to waterfront dining at The Navy Bear if you tried - this stunning Sydney cafe is on the water's edge in Darlinghurst in the Royal Australian Naval Sailing Association (Ransa) headquarters. The views of Sydney Harbour are perfectly matched with delicious brunch favourites and kid-friendly options. 

The Navy Bear location: 1C New Beach Road, Darling Point
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 7 am to 4 pm.

6. Social Hideout

With 17,000 flowers suspended from the ceiling, it's safe to say Social Hideout is one of Sydney's prettiest cafes. Social Hideout has two locations to choose from (Waterloo & Parramatta), so there's plenty of floral love to go around. Feminine and floral is obviously the theme of Social Hideout's decor and menu as bursts of pinks and purples flow from the ceilings, walls, and even the Bright Purple Taro Hotcakes. We love the iced drinks served up in metallic mini bathtubs topped with cotton candy!

Social Hideout location: Shop 2A/20 Victoria Road, Parramatta & 25-33 Allen Street, Waterloo
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7 am to 3 pm; Saturday to Sunday 8 am to 3 pm. 

7. Two Sis & Co.

All-day breakfast, yummy lunches and bright and bubbly interiors are on offer at Two Sis & Co. in Pyrmont. While their colourful creations are quite substantial, the size of Two Sis & Co. is unfortunately not. This is a very small cafe, so you might want to leave the pram in the car or enjoy a day date when the kids are elsewhere. The Two Sis & Co. menu is well worth the visit though!

Two Sis & Co. location: 306 Harris Street, Pyrmont
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 7.30 am to 3.30 pm.

8. The Boathouse 

Another pretty Sydney cafe with views to boot, the Boathouse Group know how to do nautical interiors well. With four cafe locations in their arsenal (all with stunning water views), it's safe to say the Boathouse Group have the lion's share of boathouse cafes in Sydney. The Boathouse Shelly Beach, the Boathouse Palm Beach, the Boathouse Balmoral Beach, and the Boathouse Hotel Patonga all offer the same coastal chic interiors and yummy menus. If you're keen to make your house look exactly like the Boathouse, you can now shop the Boathouse Home range!

The Boathouse locations: Shelly Beach, Palm Beach, Balmoral Beach & Patonga.
Opening hours: 7 am to 3 pm; Patonga is open until 9 pm.

9. The Grounds of Alexandria

Everyone's favourite heritage-listed warehouse-come-urban-farm, the Grounds of Alexandria is the perfect spot to take the kids for a coffee date and feel as though you're transporting to a faraway land. Along with excellent coffee, baked goods and dishes, the Grounds are known for their themed events and have put on everything from Willy Wonka to Cinderella, Elton John and Aladdin. I wonder what theme they're concocting next!

The Grounds of Alexandria location: Building 7A Huntley Street, Alexandria
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 7 am to 9 pm; Friday to Sunday 7.30 am to 9.30 pm.

10. The Botanica Vaucluse

For the crème de la crème of Sydney cafe interiors, you can't beat The Botanica Vaucluse in Vaucluse. The Botanica's elegant and lush interiors are every designer's dream, offering bursts of botanicals against velvet pinks and ornamental accents. The Botanica Vaucluse's botanical theme continues with their paddock-to-plate menu, which features locally sourced produce and offerings straight from their Jamberoo Valley Farm. The Botanica also has an onsite spa if you feel like extra pampering.

The Botanica Vaucluse location: 2 Laguna Street, Vaucluse
Opening hours: The Botanica Vaucluse is set to reopen on 16 April. Bookings essential. 

Other Sydney Cafes to Try

Sydney's Best High Tea for Kids
All-you-can-eat Buffets in Sydney
Kid-friendly Cafes in Sydney

Have you signed up to our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!