The Best Cafés in North Sydney

Cafes & pubs around Sydney’s North Shore, Northern Beaches and Northern suburbs that offer a kids play area. Use the quicklinks below to skip  through the restaurants, cafes and pubs playgrounds on the North Shore near you. With panoramic views of the Georges River, this relaxed (dog-friendly) cafe is located inside the Pleasure Grounds at Como and offers an extensive breakfast and lunch menu daily. There is loyalty programme which also offers ordering in advance, particularly good for people popping out for a coffee to take back to the office. There is generous seating areas and a range of food options available, from snack sandwiches and cooked meals also. There is usually a daily lunch offer for around $10, very reasonable for the area as well as being filling and tasty.
Casa Mérida is now open on Kellett St in Potts Point. Casa Mérida’s design is inspired by the charm and opulence of the renowned Coqui Coqui Mérida, based on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. A new Italian restaurant from the team behind cafe nearby north sydney Rockpool Dining Group is bringing a taste of Tuscany to Crown Street. Here, it’s all about handmade pasta, in moreish sauces, and topped with fresh local produce. The signature dish is a Conchiglie, vodka, pancetta and taleggio.

Our second visit was an entirely different tasting menu due to delicious sugg... Below you'll find samples from menus of places nearby. The Southern Courtyard is the smaller of Greenwood Hotel’s two outdoors areas and features an undercover awning area as well as several outdoor picnic style tables. The Greenwood Hotel has four spaces that can cater for events of all shapes and sizes. These include the Chapel and Lounge bars as interiors spaces and the Southern and Northern Courtyards on the exterior. Our Northern Courtyard is dog-friendly so  join us with your pooch, or drop in for one of our famous Chicken Schnitzels or 2 for 1 pizzas Thursdays.
The lounge area is cosy when the weather cools and the fireplace is roaring. Its petite North Sydney outpost in Brett Whitely Place is perfect for those on the move, slinging more hand-held goodies than you can poke a breadstick at. Every summer, North Sydney Oval transforms into a family-friendly mecca where you catch the latest blockbusters, family-friendly flicks, and cinema gems from yesteryear on a massive open-air screen. Take advantage of the free parking at Ridges Street carpark, and be sure to bring the pooch with you. And when you spend money here, you’re not just supporting the farmers and food vendors – the market is also a major fundraiser for the North Sydney Community Centre. This heavenly slice of turf flanked by towering palms is a playground for lawn-bowlers and savvy diners alike.
Fresh salads, fruit platters and eggs with everything is the go-to here. Rengaya is the restaurant foodies around the country have chosen. Whether it’s for business or pleasure, when a trip to Sydney is in the cards, the first thing you’d probably want to do is to find out how you can get as much out of your stay as  you can. Thinking of ditching your homemade sandwich for a curry laksa? Got a hankering for a taste of the Mediterranean – preferably something seafoodie? Whether you’re craving for French pastries, or keeping the munchies at bay, Eat Street has got it all sorted.

Hunt, gather and complete your meal with something some from the drinks list — it features craft beers, organic wines and creative cocktails. Perched atop the North Sydney Olympic Pool, this quintessential Sydney restaurantboasts sweeping views across the harbour from its floor-to-ceiling windows. Don't get too distracted though — the food here deserves your full attention.
The Tribal Zone is supervised by trained staff, so you can relax and enjoy the other facilities while leaving your kids to play in capable hands. The perfect way to relax while the kids have fun. Ripples has quite a good range of wine available on the list, however expect to pay a heavy mark-up compared to your local bottle shop. Service and food are great so you will enjoy Ripples whether you BYO or buy there. Mark and the team deliver consistently great quality food, at a surprisingly good value point, all with a smile and friendly service. We have tried most of the North Sydney popular cafes and this one is our preferred for lunch or breakfast.

This high-end cafe may appear to be expensive with its onyx stone tables, elegant pendant lights and yes, array of floral fixtures … but you’d be the wrong. The affordable Darlinghurst cafe is housed in a stunning heritage building, which was once an Art Deco florist. And wanting to respect its “original roots,” co-founders Christian Lee and Kevin Ly seemingly  created a space for both florals and food to cohesively mix. Penny Royal is small, so make sure you choose a good time (they open at 6am!) or a weekday, if you’re bringing the whole family. But although it’s a tight squeeze, the top-notch coffee makes this place a surefire favorite, not to mention the pear and ginger jam and ricotta on sourdough.
At last count there were 4 other dogs in the cafe. Start the day with major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion from our leading business journalists delivered to your inbox. Sign up for the Herald's here and The Age's here. Behind deep blue noren is a wall of saké and an 11-seat counter. Co-owners Tin Jung Shea, Mitomo Somehara, and Chris Wu have designed a menu of simple snacks, side dishes, and heartier items, each made from scratch from the dashi to the miso. While you sip saké from traditional tokkuri bottles, you can sample ika shiokara , miso-marinated cream cheese, wagyu tongue, or beef brisket, karaage school prawns, and deep-fried scallops.

Dropped by to see my son in North Sydney and we decided to have lunch. This cafe is good but not great, and you get pretty much what you might expect. Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines. This service and food at this restaurant was top notch! The best coffee, delicious cakes and great customer service too. In building the operations team, Adam explains that he got lucky in finding a crew of hospitality superstars who had worked together before and were keen to stick together.
Diner will enjoy an upscale dining experience, with picturesque waterfront views, and a boardwalk to wander down. Keeping in tune with the brand’s ethos, expect premium steaks, contemporary food dishes and an extensive beverage range to complement. The menu’s focus is a combination of Australian and seasonal produce that is energised by Afro-centric ingredients and cooking techniques that reflect African culture and tastes. It’s a dining experience that offers something for everyone. At the helm of the menu is the brand’s curated meat program from Australian purveyors.
This translates to soft, glossy Brasserie milk buns, liquefied cheese, American mustard, salty pickles and medium-rare patties cooked smash-style on the grill. Try our impressive line up of espresso and filter single origin coffees. Don't miss your shot, coffee delivered at its prime, at just the right time, direct from our roastery.

There’s lots for toddlers and some more exciting equipment for older children, like a round-a-bout and flying fox. Wahroonga Park is right next to the train station, and has three free hours parking around the perimeter too. This all-inclusive playground was opened in 2019 and is well worth a visit. The playground caters to kids of all-abilities and there is plenty to see and do.
We grabbed a few dishes to share between three people. We had the Breakfast with the Sakuma, which had a... You're welcome to book a spot for a meal for up to 9 people.