The Best Cafes in Surry Hills for a Lush and Leisurely Brunch

Surry Hills is Sydney’s little Melbourne so, it’s only fitting that Surry is sprawling with quirky cafes, great coffee and menus leaving a foodie’s heart content. There’s a new establishment opening its doors nearly every week, so here is a guide to help you navigate the leafy-lined suburb’s bustling brunch scene and, most importantly, save your caffeine hit for a superior brew on the street.

These are the best Surry Hills cafes to add to your weekend rotation.

Maido 

Sydney's favourite Japanese-inspired slow-living homewares store, Provider, has teamed up with Artificer Coffee in the collaboration of dreams. Serving coffee in deliciously decadent ceramic mugs, you can enjoy a slow sip whilst your browse top-tier homewares and watch the team in the candle lab pour Provider Store signature candles. They've also teamed up with another Sydney favourite, Tokyo Lamington, for a selection of Japanese-inspired treats including the renowned katsu pie. 

7-9 Flinders Street, Surry Hills

Malika Bakehouse

Malika Bakehouse offers a delightful immersion into Turkish culture and culinary delights. The name "Malika" is derived from the Arabic word for queen, and this cafe indeed reigns supreme in its offerings. Its counter is adorned with daily-baked pastries, including unique baklava flavours like chocolate and Lotus Biscoff, alongside corek, pogaca, and soft Turkish bagels. Treat yourself to royally good one-pan eggs, gozleme, and kofte plates loaded with Turkish-style meatballs, muhammara, bulghur rice, and lavash. Pair these delights with a selection of brewed coffee, including Malika’s special Turkish blend. 

515 Crown Street, Surry Hills 

Cafe Kentaro

Chef Kenny Takayama is back for his highly-anticipated follow-up to Redfern’s Cafe Oratnek. The culinary creative has found a home in his cafe in Surry Hills with Cafe Kentaro, a cosy spot that beckons coffee and matcha enthusiasts for a perfect brew. Cafe Kentaro—which is Oratnek spelt backwards in case you’re wondering—is a nod to the chef’s innovative spirit as the menu showcases a fusion of modern Asian influences, evident in dishes like the mouthwatering katsu sambo and the visually stunning matcha mille feuille. 

616 Bourke Street, Surry Hills 

Neighbourhood Specialty Coffee by Artificer

As it turns out, you don’t need a lot of real estate to get Surry Hills hooked on your cup of joe. Take it from Neighbourhood who are known to serve up next-level caffeine at their minimalist Japanese-Nordic kiosk on Buckingham Street. Two cool baristas man the singular coffee machine and offer a fun chat along with a modest pastry selection. No frills, no fancy menus—just a good brew to be enjoyed any time of day.

2/16 Buckingham Street, Surry Hills

Wilson

Surry Hills has no shortage of trendy cafes, but Wilson is one that stands out for all the right reasons. Not only do they serve up killer coffee (Colombian of course), but this profit-for-purpose cafe also doubles as an exhibition space for local and unrepresented artists. At the centre of it all is Joaquin, Wilson’s charismatic founder and badass barista whose infectious smile and elite morning banter are guaranteed to start your day off right. Set in a stunning gallery space on Richards Avenue, Wilson's fit-out is a work of art in itself - with all materials and fittings recycled and repurposed. And the best part? All profits are donated to a chosen charity each quarter.

35 Richards Lane, Surry Hills

Single O

For coffee connoisseurs, it’s hard to beat Single O. The team sources and roasts its beans in-house, and proudly serves up organic, Fair-Trade brews. And although it is hard to look past the coffee offering, when you do you will be well rewarded with a brunch menu that is simply mouth-watering. From classic breakfast dishes like blackened corn fritters with avocado and a non-negotiable side of bacon to the oh-so-nourishing falafel bowl, each dish is plated with the utmost care and precision.

60-64 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills

AP Bakery

Beans, beats and baked goods - so go the holy trinity of AP Bakery. The lovechild of Mat Lindsay (Ester, Poly), Russell Beard (Reuben Hills, Paramount Coffee Project), Dougal Muffet (Moonacres Kitchen), and Ping Jin Ng (Paramount House Hotel), crowds flock to this rooftop spot to get their hands on some of the best baked goods in town. Choose between sweet and savoury treats such as dark chocolate croissants, potato hash, fig, olive oil and ricotta Danish, and their signature egg bun.

80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills

Sweet Chick

Helmed by Rebecca Balkin, Sweet Chick is one of our favourite Surry Hills cafes when in need of a sugar fix. Home of Australia’s best babka, stop by for a coffee and a dose of nostalgia with homemade honey jumbles, jam drops, melting moments and chocolate chip cookies. With cakes, scones and, of course, the aforementioned babka all proudly displayed in their new sun-soaked cafe, you’ll end up walking out with armloads of goodies and, if you’re anything like us, you’ll have already tucked into half of it by the time you get home. 

75 Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills 

Shuk

Craving Shuk’s heavenly shakshuka? Save yourself the mission to Bondi and pop into their Surry Hills cafe instead. Serving a tight yet tasty selection of the venue’s signature plates, the menu features fan favourites like the smoked salmon bagel, fried truffle eggs and of course, their famous shakshuka with capsicum, tomato, onion, eggs, olives and crispy sourdough. As the name suggests, this pint-sized café-come-bakery also serves up a lust-worthy assortment of Shuk’s freshly baked bread and pastries – think Challah, bagels, sourdough, muffins and danishes in multiple grains and styles.

4/490 Crown Street, Surry Hills 

Four Ate Five

Four Ate Five is a ‘no fuss’ cafe, with the fit-out and crowd equally mismatched. But it’s always bustling. Between the local artwork hanging on the walls and decorated wait staff (from tattoos to outfit choices) are share tables bringing diners together over a love of coffee and Middle Eastern-inspired food. The menu is deliciously diverse, much like the atmosphere. From the moreish halloumi roll to the apple, macadamia & coconut bircher, there are breakfast options to please all. It’s almost impossible to go past ‘The 485’ of boiled egg, hummus, chilli paste, red cabbage, Israeli pickles, radish and pita or a bagel. A lunch pit stop here doesn’t disappoint either, with hearty lamb pitas and brown rice bowls.

485 Crown Street, Surry Hills

Humble

Humble has achieved legendary status in Sydney’s cafe scene by putting a fresh spin on one of Australia's most beloved childhood treats, the finger bun. Every bit as decadent as you remember, it’s all about that cream cheese icing that is generously piped atop a buttered fruit bun. From the crew that gave us Porteño, creative turns result in devilish delights like banana custard and dulce de leche doughnuts – a nod to the bakery’s South American roots. While classic sourdough and baguettes are a given, savoury options also include the likes of porchetta Cubano rolls, wagyu beef empanadas, delicious meat pies and veggie-topped focaccias. Carbs and coffee – what more could you want?

50 Holt Street, Surry Hills

Lode Pies

Lode are pastry people and they do it better than most. Keeping it simple with a select offering of sweets and savouries, everything is made in-house, from the creams and ganache to the jams and preserves. Naturally, the pies are a must-try, with the Blackmore wagyu beef and mushroom taking the crown. For those with a sweet tooth, Lode's novel takes on classic pastries will leave you wanting more. The showstopping Crown 487 cronut with white chocolate and raspberry glaze, pistachio and rose is just the beginning of their sugary creations. Designed by Larissa Orso, it’s a feast for the eyes as well as the tastebuds with its marble surfaces, gold hardware and a subdued colour palette featuring pops of pastel pink.

487 Crown Street, Surry Hills 

Bills

Bills has earned its spot as a weekend must-visit in Surry Hills, drawing crowds with its unbeatable brunch offerings and sophisticated all-day dining options. Sure, there might be a bit of a wait, but well it's worth it. You'll be dreaming of their sweet corn fritters and ricotta hotcakes topped with banana and honeycomb butter, paired perfectly with a brunchtime Bloody Mary. But the goodness doesn't stop there - come lunchtime, indulge in a crispy chicken burger, or crab, chilli and lemon linguine paired with a crisp, refined wine list. Trust us, once you've experienced Bills, you'll be counting down the days until your next visit.

359 Crown Street, Surry Hills

Paramount Coffee Project

You’d presume a latte only gets better when three coffee connoisseurs unite, and now there’s no need to speculate. Look no further than Paramount Coffee Project, a collaboration between Jin Ng (Paramount House), Mark Dundon (Seven Seeds) and Russell Beard (Reuben Hills) which aims to showcase coffee differently, in all its styles. A constant rotation of local and internationally sourced beans grace the menu, alongside dishes with global influence from bibi to buttermilk fried chicken waffles. And while coffee is the main attraction, the minimalist fit-out (think timber, white tiles and polished concrete) and stunning art deco building are just as alluring.

Paramount House, 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills

Loved our edit of the best Surry Hills cafes. and want to find more places to dine? Be sure to check out our killer round-up of Sydney’s best bottomless brunch spots. Or if coffee is more your thing, why not explore Sydney’s diverse cafe scene by checking out some of the city’s hottest new cafes.