If you love the Grounds of Alexandria, you’re going to want The Domain Gateway on your radar!

The Grounds is coming to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney with a brand-new mega-venue, bringing a whimsical wonderland to heritage spaces and garden dining. Like the insanely popular Grounds of Alexandria, the next location from the passionate team is set to be as beloved as its older sibling. 

The Grounds Is Opening at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney - and Families Are Going to Love It!

Sydney families, clear your calendars and ready your picnic rugs. The Grounds is officially bringing its much-loved hospitality magic to the front gates of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, and it is shaping up to be something very special.

Set within the Domain Gateway, this new venue promises garden-fresh dining, storybook surroundings and plenty of space for shared family moments, right at the entry to Australia’s oldest botanic garden.

Meet The Grounds in The Domain

The venue will sit within a pocket of the city many families walk past on the way to the Art Gallery of NSW, Hyde Park or a wander through the gardens, without realising its history stretches back nearly 200 years.

More than just another café opening, it is a thoughtful transformation of a significant site, blending history, nature and The Grounds’ signature creativity, with welcoming spots designed for dining, celebrating and lingering, whether you are meeting friends after a gallery visit or wrangling kids for a post-park refuel.

A Heritage Site Reimagined for Families

This project also unlocks areas of the Domain that have long been off-limits, giving Sydneysiders a chance to explore spaces they have never been able to access before. One of the standout features is The Domain Lodge, a sandstone cottage from the 1830s that will finally step into the spotlight.

The Grounds is known for storytelling through space, and this venue is no exception. Early visuals hint at light-filled structures, leafy dining zones, and the kind of playful design touches The Grounds is famous for.

Why This Is a Win for the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Beyond the food and the flair, The Grounds in The Domain will play an important role in supporting the future of the gardens. Revenue from the venue will help fund the horticultural, scientific and educational work of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney.

That means every brunch date, family lunch or celebratory cake stop contributes to preserving and growing one of Sydney’s most treasured green settings. Eating cake for a good cause has never felt so good.

Signature Grounds Style with a Garden Twist

Best known for turning cafés into destinations, The Grounds team are the creative force behind Sydney favourites like Alexandria, the CBD outpost and the Eveleigh coffee factory. Their venues are famous for immersive design, seasonal creativity and that extra dash of whimsy that keeps families coming back.

While full menu details are still to come, if past venues are anything to go by, expect crowd-pleasing food, quality coffee and spaces that feel just as welcoming for little ones as they do for long lunches with friends.

The Perfect Pit Stop for a Family Day Out

Located right at the gateway to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, The Grounds in The Domain is set to become a go-to stop for families. It is ideally placed for a pre-garden breakfast, a relaxed lunch after exploring the lawns or a treat stop before heading to nearby cultural landmarks.

With history, nature and hospitality all coming together in one beautiful setting, this new opening is shaping up to be a favourite for Sydney parents. We cannot wait to see this pocket of the city come to life. 

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