Overview
The crumpet has made a noticeable splash in the Sydney restaurant scene in recent years. Said to originate in the UK as far back as the 14th century, this (very) old-school griddle cake is loved for its simplicity — and its ability to be paired with almost any topping.
Whether you're into savoury bites or have a sweet tooth, our city is offering a wide range of ways for you to enjoy the humble crumpet. Think bacon- and avo-loaded numbers, falafel takes on the cake, dulce de leche-topped holey boys and even crumpets paired with locally sourced sea urchin.
Here are our favourite spots to get next-level crumpets across Sydney.
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This York Street takeaway window isn’t just pouring top-notch cuppas. The Surry Hills coffee roaster‘s CBD outpost should also be on every crumpet lovers’ list for its fully stacked (and well-priced) version. The CBD store sells loaded crumpets at $6.50 a pop. Savoury options include bacon, avocado and chipotle lime dressing and smoked salmon with whipped feta and pickled fennel. For sweet treats, try the strawberry gum, coconut and candied pecans variety, or the one topped with banana, almond butter and dulce de leche. If you swing by on Wednesdays, you can celebrate by making it (almost) halfway through the week with the Crump Day deal: two sweet or savoury crumpets and a coffee for $13.
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Paddington’s famed nose-to-tail seafood restaurant offers its own version of the crumpet — and, as expected, it’s of the seafood variety. Saint Peter’s house-made holey cakes are paired with fresh, long spine sea urchin, sourced locally from the Royal National Park ($18). You can taste this unusual and delicious combination on chef/owner Josh Niland’s weekend lunch menu, available every Friday through Sunday. But be sure to make a reservation, as the 34-seat restaurant books out quickly. And, once you’re thoroughly impressed with the cuisine, consider nabbing a copy of Niland’s new cookbook, The Whole Fish, which has been released to much acclaim.
Image: Nikki To
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Circular Quay’s award-winning fine diner Quay reopened last year with the a stunning new space and a revitalised menu that proves chef Peter Gilmore is still at the top of his game. As part of Quay’s 10-course menu, you can try the venue’s signature ‘Poolish’ crumpets. Each is slow-proved overnight and served with sizeable portions of smoked and fresh salmon roe and house-cultured cream. The crumpets themselves are brought out in a bespoke box, created by Sydney artisan David Azzopardi using Tasmanian oak and black wood just for the restaurant. These are certainly the most opulent version of crumpets you’ll find in our city.
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The CBD’s 1920s-style coffeehouse isn’t serving any regular old crumpets, either. Instead, its version comes paired with a large skillet of ratatouille baked eggs. The sizzling plate is loaded with zucchini, tomato, eggplant, kale and cashew pesto, then decorated with fresh herbs and greens ($22). On the side is a perfectly toasted crumpet for necessary dipping purposes. And this dish can also be made gluten free on request. It’s all part of the restaurant’s breakfast menu, which is served daily from 7am–11.30am on weekdays and 8–11.30am on weekends. The restaurant is consistently busy, though, so it’s best to make a reservation here.
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This contemporary Crown Street restaurant has become a go-to for great Middle Eastern fare and boozy brunches. And it offers one of the city’s most unique crumpet dishes to boot. Nour’s falafel crumpets are fried to perfection and topped with tahini, pickled onion and parsley. It’s all brought together with the creamy soft boiled egg, too. It’s available both on the a la carte menu ($14), or as a part of the seven-course, $69 banquet menu. If you do have a little extra cash to splash, we recommend going for the latter — and add on 90 minutes of bottomless rosé ($29) or cocktails ($39).