Where to Brunch When a Celebration Is in Order
Brunching is for any event, but especially for celebrations.
Where to Brunch When a Celebration Is in Order
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Brunching is for any event, but especially for celebrations.
The celebratory brunch. It's for when you've finally scored that long-awaited promotion, for your birthday, or even when you're just in the mood for some fancy weekend fun. Whatever the occasion, nothing screams baller status quite like fluffy eggs topped with caviar, free-flowing bubbles and a cart of cocktails — all before midday. Going for an extra decadent brunch has to be one of the all-time best weekend activities, especially when there's something worth celebrating. We're not talking about your average pastry and glass of orange juice topped up with some sparkling. This is about heaps of shareable plates you'd never be able to make at home, top-notch coffee, and of course, a healthy dose of pre-noon alcohol.
To take the stress out of planning your bounteous brunch, we've partnered with American Express to find some solid-gold spots in Sydney for getting those snazzy morning vibes on. At these Amex-accepting restaurants, you'll find original takes on your brunch favourites, gorgeous fit-outs perfect for a special occasion and — in many cases — the all-important bottomless booze setup. Plus, you'll add extra points to your Amex balance at the same time. Cheers to that.
Got yourself in another dining situation and need some guidance? Whatever it is, we know a place. Visit The Shortlist and we'll sort you out.
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If you can’t fathom a celebratory brunch without bottomless booze, get yourself over to Mrs Sippy. In this lively Double Bay spot, the two-hour bottomless Saturday brunch options include a cocktail on arrival, free-flowing Chandon and an ever-changing take on brunch. Previously, the eatery featured a Mexican-inspired five-course meal, and currently serves up a Mediterranean feast of oysters, olives, rosemary pita, hummus and thyme beetroot tzatziki to start, followed by slow cooked lamb, labne, Mediterranean salad and pickled cucumbers. As you dig into your brunch, your glass will remain topped up with free-flowing sparkling brut or rosé for a delightfully buzzy two hours. With its colourful deck chairs and white-washed walls that ooze ‘summer-fling’ year-long, Mrs Sippy is a key place for a swish weekend celebration.
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The pioneer of market-fresh breakfasts in Sydney, this institution needs no introduction. But, even after all these years, there are few better places to go when you want wholesome brunch fare. The casual, yet refined vibes make this a great place for a breezy, sophisticated morning celebration. The menu strikes the right balance between classics and novel dishes, and while it’s hard to say no to those world-renowned scrambled eggs, the salmon gravlax, corn fritters and almond milk chia seed pots are smash hits in their own right. Between dishes, indulge in white peach bellinis or the famous spiced bloody mary.
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Nowhere does bottomless brunch quite as well as the Big Apple, but luckily, we Sydneysiders can the next best thing with Dead Ringer’s NYC-style boozy brunch. Here, $30 will get you free-flowing mimosas for the duration of your two-hour sitting. And this is not your basic OJ and sparkling wine mix; instead, expect cold-pressed orange juice with prosecco and dashes of the bartender’s special ‘seasoning’. Dead Ringer also wins major points for a distinctive menu with nary a smashed avo toast in sight. Start with the ricotta tart with zucchini and caramelised onion and then move on to the slow-roasted chicken served with a tomato and black bean sauce and topped with a soft egg. Also, don’t forget to take a break from the mimosas to get your caffeine fix with the house cold-drip.
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Named for the patron saint of fishermen, it’s all about fresh seafood at this Paddington eatery, with a daily selection that changes depending on what’s been trawled in that morning. Yes, fish isn’t necessarily the most classic brunch food, but with such a perfect menu, who really cares? There are always oysters aplenty here, plus, you’ll get to sample something different every time you dine in this heavenly restaurant — but keep your eyes peeled and fingers crossed for the marron scrambled eggs. Opt to go the whole hog with a chilled glass (or two) of white from the compact drinks menu that leans towards light, floral varietals. At this sardine tin-sized venue, space is limited with room for just 34, so you’ll want to score yourself a reservation before showing up.
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If you’re the kind of individual who secretly wishes they’d been able to live the high life in an earlier era, Darlo Country Club will make all your dreams come true. This swish inner-city spot oozes style and sophistication by the bucketload. There are ornate golden lampshades, tall ceilings, dark leather armchairs and elegant marble bench-tops. This is the kind of place where Saturday brunch is well-worth dressing up for. The three-hour bottomless package lets you indulge in glass after glass of Champagne, while the share-style menu features treats like Nutella french toast topped with a cornflake crumble and whipped butter, and a house-cured salmon gravlax with capers, guacamole and tomatoes.
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The Royal Paddington keeps it classic with a brunch that pairs three courses of delish breakfast fare with two hours of bottomless cocktails — including a moreish salted caramel espresso, house brunch punch and bellinis. Covering all your staples, you’ll start with freshly baked pastries and seasonal fruits, before grazing on three courses including poached egg, smashed avo, vine-ripened tomatoes and fresh mint, and Tasmanian smoked salmon on toasted sourdough. With an understated but beautiful fit out and sweeping views over the city and harbour from the verandah, brunch here feels a bit like a royal garden party.
Image: Alana Dimou.
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At Joseph Hyde, it’s all about boozy weekend brunches. This is the kind of place where you can get a negroni, Aperol spritz or whatever else your heart desires from 8am — perfect for those weekends when you really want to go all in. But early drinks aren’t the only thing this community-minded cafe has going for it. There’s also some stellar coffee from Double Roasters and a constantly changing menu that has previously featured delights like the Croque and Jack, which sees Sonoma sourdough, free-range smoked ham topped with a duck egg and cheese, and the Honey Dijon, a combination of fried free-range chicken, slaw and chipotle mayo. Plus, this place is very accommodating to most dietary needs, so it’s an ideal spot for meals with the whole gang.
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At one-hatted Yellow, all your preconceived notions about veggies will go flying out the window. The brunch at this all-vegetarian spot is legendary. There’s the excellent Jerusalem artichoke served with goat’s yoghurt and malt, and the comforting corn custard with miso milk crumb and a poached egg. Honestly, though, you could close your eyes and point at anything on the menu and come away as happy as a clam. The contemporary food is complemented well by a classic drinks menu, which features the usuals like bloody marys and mimosas done impeccably. With distressed wooden tables and the geometric bling of mirrors and gold frames, this is the place for a fancy brunch that’s as delicious as it is wholesome.
As you drink and dine with your American Express, reap all the sweet rewards of being a Card Member. Explore the many ways American Express has your back here.
