Let’s be real; it is of national significance to highlight the importance of brunch.
The nature of brunch in Sydney especially is ever-changing, as innovators and traditionalists converge to create amazing wonders out of sourdough and an egg. Forget avocado toast – here’s your chance to try the dishes the locals have been keeping secret, and add these venues to your brunching top ten.
The Wooden Whisk, St Leonards
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In terms of consistency and quality, this staple of urban St Leonards is buzzing. Despite the fact it’s on the Lower North Shore, there is a distinctly Eastern Suburbs vibe to this comfortable cafe – the prices are good, and the menu is huge. There are daily specials, including the famous pulled pork eggs benedict and the kale crossfit breakfast, which makes you feel as healthy as it looks. The Wooden Whisk breakfast is loaded with protein and comes with a nice ceramic pot of home-made beans on the side.
This is the kind of cafe that deals with black pudding like it’s a regular feature on a Sydney menu. The waitresses are quick, friendly, and numerous. So numerous, in fact, that over many visits I don’t think I’ve ever encountered the same waitress – regardless, the service is wonderful.
The Tuckshop, Glenhaven
A sign painted over the service area reads: “Where it’s not the city and you couldn’t care less”. 32 kilometres north of Sydney is a long way to go for a poached egg, but if you’ve got the weekend… it’s a lovely drive.
This light and airy cafe features locally sourced meat and dairy, and fruit and veg from orchards in nearby Dural. The brainchild of the boys behind The Baron – Ricky Row, Mike Ico and Matthew Stone – and Eels legend Nathan Hindmarsh, The Tuckshop was built out of a defunct milk bar. The coffee and bacon and egg rolls are famous across the upper North West, and don’t be afraid to try their beef brisket, or the innovative breakfast taco. This reviewer is always up for some brex-Mex (that’s breakfast Mexican for those playing at home). A highlight is undoubtedly the provided blankets in a bin, and the fact you can take yourself and your bacon down to the park and enjoy the sun.
The Cove Dining Co, Abbotsford
Hosted in the community hall of the old Nestlé factory of Abbotsford, this delightful Latin-Australian menu is classic and hearty, thanks to the head chef Brock Coffrey, formerly of Rockpool. The ambience is decidedly antique, and the dining experience Melburnian. A recent change in management has seriously helped the quality of the service and the food – the latter being unusual and delicious. Patrons are served brunch options like braised beef cheeks and smoked trout with fish egg, and all ingredients are locally sourced. The sourdough bread and the cheese are home-made, rich and chewy. The Campos coffee is caramel and nutty, as expected. The leafy Abbotsford surrounds prove an ideal area to take children, with room for plenty of prams, and a secluded lawn out back – a perfect area to let small bodies run around.
More importantly, there is a fantastically rich children’s menu featuring a cheese jaffle, pancakes, and fish and chips. Upon my visit, there was a mixture of mothers’ groups, friends catching up for coffee, and a pre-bridal party enjoying a hen’s brunch. A wonderful day out is assured at this uplifting cafe – take your family, your friends, and their family. Oh, and try the fish pie.
