Australia

Cafés in Sydney flat whites at dawn

Flat whites in The Rocks, roasters in Marrickville and brunch tables from Surry Hills to Newtown.

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1766Cafés listed

99Open by 6am

16Open past 10pm

54Specialty & roasters

A small flat white cost an average of A$4.92 in Sydney in October 2026, 20 cents below the national figure, and most cafés charged between A$4.50 and A$5.50.¹ The city's coffee runs on an early clock. Nearly three in four cafés open by 07:00 on weekdays, and more than three in four have stopped serving by 16:00. Tommy Black in Marrickville starts at 04:00.

Espresso has deep roots in the inner west. Leichhardt has been the center of Sydney's Italian community since the mid-20th century, and Norton Street, its main commercial street, still has Italian cafés and restaurants.² Bar Italia, at 169 Norton Street, has served the suburb since 1952; Time Out's 2025 review describes a crazy-paved marble floor and a gelato counter by the door.³ It stays open until at least 22:30 every night.

On the harbour, coffee often comes from a park kiosk. Pirrama Park in Pyrmont has a café beside its playground, with a boating pontoon on a sheltered bay.⁴ Pirrama Park Kiosk opens daily 07:00–16:00, and there are more by the water at Farm Cove and Rushcutters Bay.

Start with a suburb

Sydney by area

From the harbour at The Rocks south to Rosebery and west to Petersham, prices barely move: in October 2026 a small flat white averaged A$4.95 in the inner city and A$5.18 in Marrickville, Sydenham and Petersham.¹

CBD & The Rocks

Office-tower espresso bars, harbour kiosks and the sandstone lanes of The Rocks.

362 cafés

Surry Hills

Terrace streets uphill from Central, where Single O and Reuben Hills started roasting.

103 cafés

Darlinghurst & Potts Point

Victoria Street's café strip, art deco Macleay Street and a park kiosk on Rushcutters Bay.

125 cafés

Glebe & Chippendale

Glebe Point Road and its Saturday market, and Chippendale's old brewery quarter.

66 cafés

Redfern & Waterloo

Railway-workshop Redfern and the Bourke Street corners of Waterloo, with espresso from 05:00.

92 cafés

Newtown & Erskineville

King Street and Enmore Road, the first Campos café and Erskineville's village strip.

91 cafés

Alexandria & Green Square

Alexandria's warehouse cafés, Green Square's new streets and Botany Road espresso from 05:00.

78 cafés

Marrickville & Petersham

Roasters off Victoria and Sydenham Roads, Petersham's custard-tart shops and the earliest espresso in town.

112 cafés

Or start with what you need

Browse by mood and hour

Specialty coffee

Roasteries and espresso bars, from Marrickville warehouses to Botany Road.

54 cafés

Outdoor seating

Footpath tables and harbourside park kiosks, from The Rocks to Rushcutters Bay.

369 cafés

Open by 6am

Open by 06:00, with a few starting at 04:00 or 05:00 on weekdays.

99 cafés

Brunch

Eggs, toast and coffee until mid-afternoon, most of all in Darlinghurst and Potts Point.

53 cafés

Bakery cafés

Pâtisseries and bakeries that pour coffee, from Little Portugal to King Street.

46 cafés

New in Sydney

Recently opened and recently added

Kirribilli & North Sydney

63 Degrees

55 Ridge St
Mon–Fri 07:00–15:30 · Sat–Sun 07:00–14:00
+61289040663

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CBD & The Rocks

Alma

1 Harbour St
Mon–Fri 06:00–15:30 · Sat 07:00–15:30 · Sun 08:00–15:30
+61451302046

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Kirribilli & North Sydney

Ambi's Chai

35-41 Ridge Street
Tue–Fri 10:00–14:00, 17:00–21:00 · Sat–Sun 09:00–21:00
0452 332 335

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Kirribilli & North Sydney

Aslan Coffee

201 Miller Street
Mon–Fri 07:00–15:00
+61488827526

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Paddington & Woollahra

Bake Bar

15 Kiaora Lane
Daily 06:00–18:00

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Mosman & Cremorne

Balmoral Beach Kiosk

17-19 The Esplanade
Daily 06:30–16:00
+61299698138

Outdoor seating

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CBD & The Rocks 362 cafés

More about cafés in CBD & The Rocks

6.AM by dedy's

482 Kent Street
Mon–Fri 05:00–15:00 · Sat–Sun 08:00–15:00
+61401228853

Open by 6am

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Alma

1 Harbour St
Mon–Fri 06:00–15:30 · Sat 07:00–15:30 · Sun 08:00–15:30
+61451302046

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356 more

All 362 cafés in CBD & The Rocks

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Pyrmont & Ultimo 90 cafés

Flappy Bird

16-18 Broadway
Mon–Wed 08:00–21:00 · Thu–Fri 08:00–22:00 · Sat 09:00–23:00 · Sun 09:00–20:00
+61416787888

Outdoor seating
Indoor seating
Open late

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harris.miller cafe

Pyrmont Bridge Road
Mon–Sat 17:30–21:00
+61420655920

Outdoor seating
Indoor seating

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Surry Hills 103 cafés

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AP House

80 Commonwealth Street
Daily 07:30–15:00

Outdoor seating
Card payment

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Blacksmith

116 Chalmers Street
Mon–Fri 07:30–15:30 · Sat–Sun 08:00–15:00
+61435771733

Outdoor seating
Wheelchair access

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97 more

All 103 cafés in Surry Hills

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Darlinghurst & Potts Point 125 cafés

More about cafés in Darlinghurst & Potts Point

A Brewer’s Tale

112 Burton Street
Mon–Fri 07:00–14:30 · Sat–Sun 08:00–14:30

Outdoor seating

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Adhika

61 Bayswater Road
Mon 08:00–15:00 · Wed–Sun 08:00–15:00

Outdoor seating
Indoor seating

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119 more

All 125 cafés in Darlinghurst & Potts Point

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Paddington & Woollahra 77 cafés

Bake Bar

15 Kiaora Lane
Daily 06:00–18:00

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Café Arno

129 Manning Road
Mon–Fri 07:00–15:00 · Sat–Sun 08:00–15:00
+61 2 9328 0160

Outdoor seating

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Glebe & Chippendale 66 cafés

More about cafés in Glebe & Chippendale

101 Kissa

94a Abercrombie Street
Mon–Fri 07:00–16:00 · Sat 08:00–16:00 · Sun 08:00–15:00
+61412246338

Wi-Fi
Outdoor seating
Indoor seating
Toilets

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Brews Brothers

18 Park Lane
Mon–Sat 07:00–15:00 · Sun 08:00–14:00
+61 2 8072 7984

Wi-Fi
Outdoor seating
Indoor seating

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60 more

All 66 cafés in Glebe & Chippendale

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Redfern & Waterloo 92 cafés

More about cafés in Redfern & Waterloo

Blue Brew

95 Redfern Street
Mon–Fri 06:30–15:30 · Sat 07:00–15:30 · Sun 07:00–15:00
+61293107985

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Cafe Oratnek

4 Pitt Street
Daily 08:00–16:00
+61497385949

Outdoor seating
Indoor seating

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86 more

All 92 cafés in Redfern & Waterloo

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Newtown & Erskineville 91 cafés

More about cafés in Newtown & Erskineville

Ariomi The Space - Cafe

8 May Lane
Mon–Fri 06:30–15:00 · Sat–Sun 07:00–16:00
+61 423 520 690

Outdoor seating
Takeaway
Card payment

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Black Market Coffee Enmore

86 Enmore Road
Mon–Fri 06:00–15:00 · Sat–Sun 07:00–15:00
+61414924685

Open by 6am

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85 more

All 91 cafés in Newtown & Erskineville

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Alexandria & Green Square 78 cafés

More about cafés in Alexandria & Green Square

Allpress Espresso

58 Epsom Road
Mon–Fri 07:00–14:00
+61296628288

Specialty

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Bar Noun

355 Botany Road
Mon–Wed 06:30–12:00 · Thu–Fri 15:00–23:00 · Sat 09:00–23:00 · Sun 09:00–22:00

Outdoor seating
Open late

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72 more

All 78 cafés in Alexandria & Green Square

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Kensington & Randwick 59 cafés

Café Jack's

112-124 Ascot Street
Mon–Sat 05:00–15:00 · Sun 06:00–15:00
+61296633423

Outdoor seating
Indoor seating
Vegetarian options
Partial wheelchair access
Open by 6am

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Cat & Cow Coffee

49 Clovelly Road
Mon–Fri 07:00–15:00 · Sat 08:00–15:00 · Sun 08:00–14:00

Wi-Fi

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Marrickville & Petersham 112 cafés

More about cafés in Marrickville & Petersham

Angus

69 Meeks Road
Mon–Fri 07:00–15:00 · Sat–Sun 08:00–15:00
+61 2 9411 2147

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Basiq Cafe

106 Addison Road
Daily 06:00–14:30
+61421887080

Open by 6am

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106 more

All 112 cafés in Marrickville & Petersham

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Annandale & Leichhardt 50 cafés

Bar Italia

169-171 Norton Street
Mon–Wed 08:00–22:30 · Thu 08:00–23:00 · Fri–Sat 08:00–23:30 · Sun 08:00–22:30
+61 2 9560 9981

Air-con
Partial wheelchair access
Smoke-free indoors
Open late

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Black Toast Cafe

43 Booth Street
Daily 07:00–15:00
+61295714442

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Balmain & Rozelle 62 cafés

Black Lizard

336 Darling Street
Daily 07:00–16:00
+61 2 8018 8155

Outdoor seating

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NOIA COFFEE

1 Nagurra Place
Mon–Fri 07:00–13:00 · Sat–Sun 07:00–14:00

Wi-Fi
Outdoor seating

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Kirribilli & North Sydney 124 cafés

63 Degrees

55 Ridge St
Mon–Fri 07:00–15:30 · Sat–Sun 07:00–14:00
+61289040663

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Ambi's Chai

35-41 Ridge Street
Tue–Fri 10:00–14:00, 17:00–21:00 · Sat–Sun 09:00–21:00
0452 332 335

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Bondi Junction & Waverley 28 cafés

Cafe Sorelle

274 Bronte Road
Mon–Fri 06:00–15:30 · Sat 07:30–14:30
+61 423 453 857

Open by 6am

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Eugene's Cafe

69 MacPherson Street
Daily 07:00–15:00
+61 2 9131 2919

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Bondi & Bronte 76 cafés

Bare Naked Bowls

157 Curlewis Street
Mon Closed · Tue–Fri 07:00–16:00 · Sat–Sun 08:00–16:00
+61 450 212 225

Brunch

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Bondi Boulangerie

113/115 Hall Street
Mon–Fri 06:00–14:00 · Sat–Sun 06:30–14:00
+61 2 9869 3020

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Coogee & Clovelly 26 cafés

Clodeli

210 Clovelly Road
Mon Closed · Tue–Fri 07:00–14:30 · Sat–Sun 07:30–14:30
+61466215504

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Cut Lunch Deli

220 Clovelly Road
Mon–Wed 06:00–14:30 · Thu 06:00–14:30, 17:00–20:30 · Fri 06:00–21:00 · Sat 07:00–21:00 · Sun 07:30–20:30

Open by 6am

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Rose Bay & Vaucluse 20 cafés

Jezve Coffee

550 New South Head Road
Mon–Fri 06:00–17:00 · Sat–Sun 06:00–18:00
+61 2 9371 9000

Open by 6am

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Tide Café

New South Head Road
Daily 08:00–15:00

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Mosman & Cremorne 39 cafés

Balmoral Beach Kiosk

17-19 The Esplanade
Daily 06:30–16:00
+61299698138

Outdoor seating

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Heirloom Specialty Coffee

81 Avenue Road
Mon–Sat 06:00–15:00 · Sun 07:00–15:00
+61 404 673 391

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Crows Nest & St Leonards 46 cafés

Bare Wholefoods

3/9 Albany St
Mon–Fri 07:00–15:30 · Sat–Sun 08:00–15:30
+61290376333

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Bean Drinking

13 Ernest Place
Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00 · Sat–Sun 09:00–18:00
0455115303

Outdoor seating

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Cammeray 7 cafés

Maggio's Cafe

457 Miller Street
Daily 06:00–15:00
+61 2 9955 3303

Open by 6am

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5 Loaves 2 Fish

1/17 Grosvenor St
+61490419739

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Greenwich & Hunters Hill 10 cafés

Cafe Hunters Hill

77 Gladesville Rd
+61298174133

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Chicho's Cafe

Shop 9B/45 Gladesville Rd
+61414697384

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Mascot 23 cafés

Kingship Coffee

244 Coward Street
Mon–Fri 07:00–15:00 · Sat–Sun 07:00–12:00
+61400040845

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La Cantina Mascot

289 King Street
Mon–Fri 06:30–17:00 · Sat 07:00–13:00
+61286684281

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Coffee chains in Sydney

Branches by area

Chain

Gloria Jean's Coffees

Show 12 locations

Bondi Junction & Waverley
500 Oxford St
CBD & The Rocks
155 George St
815 George Street
corner Hay and Pitt Streets, 1
Shop 31LP/450 George St
Crows Nest & St Leonards
59-61 Willoughby Rd
The Forum201-205 Pacific Highway, 5P5/5P6
Darlinghurst & Potts Point
37 Oxford Street
Kensington & Randwick
Fox StudiosBent Street & Driver Avenue, 208G1
Kirribilli & North Sydney
5 Blue Street, 1
Newtown & Erskineville
156-158 King St
Paddington & Woollahra
Paddington & Woollahra

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Chain

Starbucks

Show 11 locations

Bondi Junction & Waverley
Starbucks Bondi Junction, Shop 2052/500 Oxford Street
CBD & The Rocks
1 Little Pier StreetMon–Thu 07:00–19:00 · Fri–Sat 07:00–20:00 · Sun 07:00–19:00
135 George StreetMon–Wed 07:00–18:30 · Thu 07:00–18:00 · Fri–Sat 07:00–19:00 · Sun 07:00–19:30
455 George Street
531 George Street
730-742 George StreetDaily 07:00–21:00
Pacific Power Building, 201 Elizabeth Street
Shop 1/11-31 York StreetMon–Fri 06:00–19:30 · Sat 07:00–19:00 · Sun 07:30–16:30
Paddington & Woollahra
Starbucks Bondi Junction, Westfield Shopping Centre (Bondi Junction), 500 Oxford Street Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Pyrmont & Ultimo
38 BroadwayDaily 07:00–22:00
Starbucks Broadway, Shop K230 Level 2, Broadway Shopping Centre, 1 Bay St, Glebe

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Chain

Toby's Estate

Show 11 locations

Bondi Junction & Waverley
500 Oxford St
CBD & The Rocks
1 Farrer Place
180 George Street
Toby's Estate Flagship Café Westfield Sydney, 188 Pitt St
388 George Street
Shop 10 International Tower 3/300 Barangaroo Ave
Toby's Estate Flagship Cafe, Shop 2/35 Tumbalong Bvd
Darlinghurst & Potts Point
129 Cathedral St
Glebe & Chippendale
32-36 City Road
Mascot
Shop 4/10 Bourke Road Qantas, 10 Bourke Rd
Redfern & Waterloo
2 Central Av

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Chain

Haven Specialty Coffee

Show 6 locations

Alexandria & Green Square
32 Ebsworth StreetMon–Fri 07:30–15:30 · Sat–Sun 08:00–15:30
5 Crewe Pl
Balmain & Rozelle
1 Nagurra Pl
CBD & The Rocks
85 Harbour Street
88 Barangaroo Ave
Surry Hills
30-34 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills

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Chain

Muffin Break

Show 6 locations

Annandale & Leichhardt
Muffin Break Leichhardt Marketplace
Balmain & Rozelle
Birkenhead Point Muffin Break, Birkenhead Point Outlet Centre, 1 Roseby Street
Kensington & Randwick
Moore Park EQ Muffin Break, The Entertainment Quarter, 122 Lang Road
Kirribilli & North Sydney
Muffin Break Victoria Cross Metro Station, 50 McLaren Street
Greenwood Plaza Muffin Break, Greenwood Plaza, 36 Blue Street
Redfern & Waterloo
Muffin Break Redfern Station

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Chain

The Naked Duck

Show 6 locations

CBD & The Rocks
1-25 Harbour St
The Naked Duck Hyde Park, 175 Liverpool St
22 Campbell Street
275 Kent St
9 Castlereagh Street
Kirribilli & North Sydney
The Naked Duck North Sydney, Mezzanine/177 Pacific Hwy

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Chain

Mecca Coffee

Show 5 locations

Alexandria & Green Square
26 Bourke RoadMon–Fri 07:30–15:00 · Sat–Sun 08:00–15:00
CBD & The Rocks
1 Alfred St.
Mecca Sydney CBD Café, 67 King Street
Paddington & Woollahra
Mecca Coffee - Glenmore Road, Shop 4/2-16 Glenmore Rd
Pyrmont & Ultimo
646 Harris St.

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Piccolo Me

Show 5 locations

CBD & The Rocks
CBD & The Rocks
1 Castlereagh St
Greenwich & Hunters Hill
Piccolo Me St Leonards, 170 Pacific Hwy
Kirribilli & North Sydney
198 Pacific Highway
Paddington & Woollahra
Paddington & Woollahra

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Coffee Tea & Me

Show 4 locations

Bondi Junction & Waverley
193 Old South Head Road
Darlinghurst & Potts Point
87b Macleay Street
Marrickville & Petersham
100B Sydenham Rd.
Redfern & Waterloo
93B Redfern StreetMon–Fri 06:00–16:00 · Sat 07:00–16:00

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Georgie Boy's Coffee Co.

Show 4 locations

CBD & The Rocks
225 George Street
450 George St
The Canteen, Tower 2, 200 Barangaroo Ave
World Square, 644 George St

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Gusto Espresso Bar

Show 4 locations

Bondi & Bronte
16 Hall StreetMon–Wed 06:00–17:30 · Thu 06:00–16:00 · Fri 06:00–17:30 · Sat 06:00–18:00 · Sun 06:30–18:00
Coogee & Clovelly
211 Coogee Bay Rd
Kensington & Randwick
67 Frenchmans Rd
Paddington & Woollahra
157 Oxford St

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Shenkin

Show 4 locations

Darlinghurst & Potts Point
290 Crown Street
Newtown & Erskineville
129 Enmore Road
Shenkin Newtown Espresso Bar, 239A King St
43 Erskineville Road

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The Shed Cafe

Show 4 locations

Balmain & Rozelle
Birkenhead Point Shopping Centre, Shop 63/19 Roseby St
CBD & The Rocks
59-61 Goulburn St
Kensington & Randwick
73-109 Belmore Road
Redfern & Waterloo
The Shed Cafe - Moore Park, Ground Floor Shop 29 Todman Ave

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White Rabbit

Show 4 locations

Balmain & Rozelle
134 Lyons Rd
Marrickville & Petersham
30 Llewellyn StreetMon–Sat 07:00–15:00
Paddington & Woollahra
451-455 New South Head Rd
53 Cross Street

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Campos Coffee

CBD & The Rocks
Tower 3, 300 Barangaroo Ave
Marrickville & Petersham
538 Marrickville Rd
Newtown & Erskineville
193 Missenden Road

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Cotti Coffee

CBD & The Rocks
394 Sussex Street
Kirribilli & North Sydney
99 Mount StreetMon–Fri 07:00–18:00 · Sat 07:30–17:30 · Sun Closed
Redfern & Waterloo
108 Lawson Street

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Industry Beans

CBD & The Rocks
38-40 York StreetMon–Fri 07:00–15:30 · Sat–Sun 08:00–15:30
Industry Beans Castlereagh St., 8 Castlereagh St
Paddington & Woollahra
Industry Beans Double Bay

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Jamaica Blue

Bondi Junction & Waverley
500 Oxford St
Kensington & Randwick
Jamaica Blue Prince Of Wales Hospital, 149 Barker Street
Bent Street, 122 Lang Rd

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The Coffee Club

Bondi & Bronte
Bondi & Bronte
Kensington & Randwick
73 Belmore Road
Mascot
Shop 4/8 Bourke Street

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Three Beans

CBD & The Rocks
18-20 York Street
188 Pitt St
Pyrmont & Ultimo
Three Beans Broadway, Shop L122/1 Bay St

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XS Espresso

Bondi & Bronte
99 Hall St
Kensington & Randwick
G05 & G05a Ground Floor Biological Science (D26
Marrickville & Petersham
XS Espresso Marrickville, Shop G010 1002/20 Smidmore St

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Don Adan Coffee

Mosman & Cremorne
Don Adan Coffee House, Don Adan Coffee Too & Don Adan Coffee Tree
Don Adan Coffee Too, 65 Parraween St

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Hudsons Coffee

Kensington & Randwick
Kensington & Randwick
Marrickville & Petersham
Unit 2, 87 Sydenham Rd.

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Little Sparrow

CBD & The Rocks
Little Sparrow QVB
188 Pitt StreetMon–Wed 07:30–19:00 · Thu 07:30–21:00 · Fri–Sun 07:30–19:00

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The Rusty Rabbit

Crows Nest & St Leonards
Shop 1105/488 Pacific Hwy
Darlinghurst & Potts Point
252 Forbes StreetMon–Fri 07:00–15:30 · Sat–Sun 08:00–15:00

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Two Black Sheep

CBD & The Rocks
580 George Street
Kirribilli & North Sydney
Kirribilli & North Sydney

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Paleo Café

Paddington & Woollahra
310-330 Oxford Street

Chain

Zouki

Crows Nest & St Leonards
1 Reserve Road

Website Facebook

Before you sit down

Ordering, paying and tipping in Sydney

Moving up from a small to a regular barely changes the price. In October 2026 Sydney cafés averaged A$4.87 for a small flat white, A$4.96 for a regular and A$5.74 for a large, and oat, soy or almond milk added about 83 cents.¹ Matcha is gaining ground: spending on it through the Hey You ordering app rose 133% in a year, by the app's 2026 report.⁹

Paying by card no longer costs extra. From 1 October 2026 businesses may no longer add a surcharge to Visa, Mastercard or eftpos payments, and American Express, JCB and UnionPay dropped theirs from the same date; about 16% of businesses had been charging one.⁵ Some cafés raised prices instead: 17% of those surveyed nationally put up the price of their smallest flat white in October, typically by about 50 cents.⁶

Tipping is voluntary and nobody expects it at the counter. Some cafés keep a jar for small change, and many eftpos terminals offer a tip option when you pay.⁷ Staff are paid at least the national minimum wage, which rose to A$26.44 an hour on 1 July 2026, and award rates went up 4.75%.⁸

Plan weekend coffee away from the office towers. In the CBD, about a third of cafés shut for the whole weekend, while in Darlinghurst, Potts Point, Leichhardt and Annandale hardly any do. Across the city, Sunday is the day about a quarter of cafés stay shut.

What coffee costs in Sydney

Drink	Typical price
Flat white, small Espresso with steamed milk, smallest size	A$4.50–5.50 Most Sydney cafés, October 2026
Flat white, large Largest size, city average	A$5.74 Sydney average, October 2026
Plant milk Oat, soy or almond instead of dairy	+A$0.83 Sydney average surcharge, October 2026
Cup of coffee Average across all app orders	A$4.66 New South Wales, 2026

Prices as of 2026. Flat white and plant-milk figures are Small Flat White's Sydney averages, updated 20 October 2026; among the dearest suburbs was Rushcutters Bay, at A$5.57 for a small flat white.¹ The New South Wales figure is from the Daily Brew Report 2026 by Hey You and Westpac DataX, in which the state had the second-cheapest average cup in Australia.⁹

Sources

Coffee Prices in Sydney, New South Wales, Small Flat White (updated October 20, 2026), accessed October 2026
Leichhardt, New South Wales, Wikipedia, accessed October 2026
Bar Italia, Time Out Sydney (April 23, 2025), accessed October 2026
Pirrama Park, City of Sydney, accessed October 2026
Card surcharging is ending soon. Here's what merchants need to know before October 1, CommBank Newsroom (August 31, 2026), accessed October 2026
Coffee prices rise after the card surcharge ban, SmartCompany (Simon Thompson, October 7, 2026), accessed October 2026
What is the tipping culture in Australia? A guide for visitors, Mozo (updated August 8, 2023), accessed October 2026
Minimum wage increase 2026: National Minimum Wage exceeds $1000 per week, Hall & Wilcox (June 2, 2026), accessed October 2026
Average coffee price Australia 2026: Cost hike finally slowing, Time Out Australia (August 25, 2026), accessed October 2026

Guides

Coffee travel

Bringing coffee home: customs, carry-on and freshness

Roasted vs green coffee at US, EU, UK, Australian, NZ and Japanese customs, carry-on powder rules, roast dates, and what to buy in Vietnam or Ethiopia.

Coffee travel

Café opening hours around the world

When cafés open and close: 06:00 coffee in Vietnam, Italian bars shut by 20:00, Melbourne cafés done by 15:00, Sundays in Berlin, Ramadan in Dubai.

How to order

Espresso drinks from ristretto to café bombón

What each espresso drink really is: ristretto and lungo, americano vs long black, three macchiatos, cortado, gibraltar, piccolo, flat white and bombón.

FAQ

Cafés in Sydney: common questions

How much does a flat white cost in Sydney?

In October 2026 a small flat white cost an average of A$4.92 in Sydney, 20 cents below the national average, and most cafés charged A$4.50–5.50. A regular averaged A$4.96 and a large A$5.74. Oat, soy or almond milk added about 83 cents. Since 1 October 2026 cafés may not add a surcharge for paying by Visa, Mastercard or eftpos card.

Which area of Sydney has the most cafés?

CBD & The Rocks and Darlinghurst & Potts Point have the most cafés, followed by Kirribilli & North Sydney. The CBD's cafés follow the office week, and about a third of them close at weekends; in Darlinghurst & Potts Point, cafés stay open through the weekend. Bondi & Bronte has the most cafés open by 06:00.

What time do cafés open and close in Sydney?

Early on both ends. On weekdays nearly three in four Sydney cafés are open by 07:00, and more than three in four stop serving by 16:00. Tommy Black in Marrickville opens at 04:00 on weekdays. About a third of CBD cafés close all weekend, and around a quarter of cafés across the city close on Sundays.

Do you tip at cafés in Sydney?

Tipping at Sydney cafés is voluntary and not expected. Some cafés keep a jar for small change, and many eftpos terminals offer a tip option when you pay. Australian café staff are paid a full wage: the national minimum wage rose to A$26.44 an hour on 1 July 2026, and award rates rose 4.75%.

Where is Sydney's Italian café street?

Norton Street in Leichhardt, the center of Sydney's Italian community since the mid-20th century, still has Italian cafés and restaurants. Bar Italia at 169 Norton Street has served the suburb since 1952, with a crazy-paved marble floor and a gelato counter by the door, and stays open until at least 22:30 every night.

For café owners

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