Best beach cafes and harbourside breakfast spots in Sydney

Water views, guaranteed.

There’s just something about sipping an iced latte while eating avocado toast with a view of the water that’s quintessentially Sydney.

From harbourside tables in Balmain and Circular Quay to a proper beachfront feed in Maroubra and a Pittwater long brunch out at Church Point, this is where to eat when the water’s doing half the work. Grab a window seat, order something with egg in it, and let the view take care of the rest.

CHURCH POINT

Pasadena Church Point – the Grand Dame of Pittwater Built in 1930 in Spanish Revival style, Pasadena has spent nearly a century as one of Pittwater's most storied addresses. It opened in 1935 as the Pasadena Roadhouse, complete with a post office, general store, boat shed and a first-floor ballroom that hosted Saturday night big…

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Ripples Rose Bay brings new waterfront dining to Rose Bay Marina Ripples Rose Bay is the newest addition to SRG Hospitality’s waterfront portfolio, open now at Rose Bay Marina with harbour views from every seat. Executive Chef Marco Masotti brings a modern Australian menu built around the water, with Sydney rock oysters, Australian prawns and…

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Restaurants

CIRCULAR QUAY

Winnie's Circular Quay brings café by sunrise, cocktail bar by sunset vibes to the Opera House Perched on the Opera House's Lower Concourse, right between the sails and the harbour, Winnie's is Applejack's new all-day café and cocktail bar, taking over a slice of the site once part of Opera Bar. Mornings lean into coffee,…

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Cafes Eat After Work Drinks Family Friendly Casual

BALMAIN

Hidden along the harbour in Balmain East, The Fenwick offers sit-in breakfasts on the weekends paired with Little Marionette coffee. Arrive by ferry for a truly Sydney experience. The view isn't the only beautiful thing about this spot; its housed in a restored 1880s stone building packed with character.

MAROUBRA

Across from Jack Vanny researve and steps from the lush Mahon Pool, Pool Cafe is seaside perfection. The menu has everything from Sydney cafe staples, like corn fritters and smashed avo, to coastal flavours like seafood aglio olio and grilled barramundi.

MANLY

You can't get much closer to the sand than this. Just steps from the stunning Shelly Beach, tucked away from its big brother Manly, The Boathouse feels like a vacation.

ELIZABETH BAY

Right on the wharf at Elizabeth Bay, The Lookout offer sweeping views of Sydney Harbour from a tucked-away cove. The cafe serves breakfast and lunch daily and, if you're lucky, you may even spot dolphins swimming past.

KIRRIBILLI

If the views aren't enough to get you through the door of this Kirribilli cafe, dishes like pork belly benedict and smoked salmon royale croissants and truffle mushroom burrata surely are.