If you're looking for ways to spoil the leading lady in your life (either mum or a mother figure), we're here to help. Let's face it, your local pizza joint doesn't quite cut it (unless it's Bella Brutta) and the decibels at your favourite hole-in-the-wall ramen shop might be a little too high to allow for a meaningful chat. This is your chance to deliver something memorable and earn brownie points on the side.
Take your mum out this year on Mother's Day for an exceptional dinner, a long boozy brunch, or a morning coffee at some of our city's best and parent-friendly eateries and drinking establishments. You've got enough selection anxiety on your hands with presents, so we've picked out our favourite mum-worthy spots. These are the best Mother's Day restaurants, bars and cafes in Sydney.
The Grounds of Alexandria, Alexandria
After all those late nights you thrust upon your parents, the least you can do is rise a little early to avoid the lines at The Grounds of Alexandria. The cafe's buttermilk pancakes will rival mum's finest offerings and a Grounds coffee will probably beat anything you were thinking of brewing at home.
Nothing says "thank you for tolerating me all these years" quite like high tea at The Grounds leafy oasis, where you can enjoy poached lobster cream fraiche with caviar, a decadent passionfruit and mango cremeux, or a truffled mushroom and onion tarlet.
Nour, Surry Hills
Want to take mum to a buzzing Surry Hills space with contemporary Middle Eastern cuisine where you can really unpack in your lunch chat? Nour's pastel-heavy, airy interior is enough to fool diners into thinking they'll get a by-the-numbers dining experience — but they'd be sorely mistaken. The lineup here mixes tried and true classics with bold experimentations — pairing glazed lamb shoulder with smoked mussels on a falafel crumpet, for example.
On Mother's Day, the restaurant is serving a special set menu for $119 per person. Alongside the aforementioned lamb, there will be chicken bits shawarma, shish barak with lamb sujuk, woodfired eggplant, almond-crumbed cauliflower, and a caramelised chocolate parfait for dessert. You both deserve that kind of feast on a Sunday.
Misc, Parramatta
Out west, spoil mum with an unforgettable Mediterranean spread within the heart of Parramatta Park at the expansive and sleek venue Misc. The impressive 300-seat venue is the work of Executive Chef Sebastian Geray, collaborator Joel Bennetts and restaurateur Jad Nehmetallah (whom you may recognise from Gogglebox).
Swing by in the morning for a complimentary mum-osa and Misc's takes on cafe favourites, like a jam donut-inspired stack of hotcakes and smoked labneh with ezme salsa, pickled onion and fine herb cream. Later in the day, the menu is designed to be shared, with plenty of sliced charcuterie, dips and buttery wood-fired bread available, alongside slow-roasted lamb shoulder or a nastrini alfredo. Plus, there's a passionfruit bellini for the woman of the hour upon arrival.
The Fullerton Hotel, Sydney
Want to treat your mum to a stylish high tea with great service? Look no further than The Fullerton Hotel. The lavish dining room is slick, leafy and spacious. The sophisticated setting is the perfect spot to spoil mum with a luxe dining experience topped off by a chance to win a night's stay.
If you want to start light and flavoursome, opt for the salmon and crab roulade. From there you can pair prosciutto-wrapped cantaloupe with wagyu bresaola sandwiches, or try the truly indulgent raspberry, lychee and white chocolate sweet tacos.
Bar Louise, Enmore
If you're after more casual dining, this is the place to book. And don't worry, mum will definitely approve — this Spanish tapas and wine spot stars a banquet menu of share plates for the whole family to enjoy. At Bar Louise, you'll be sipping on sparkling and tucking into spinach and corn croquettes, tuna- and mayo-stuffed peppers, char-grilled eggplant and honey- and sherry-glazed lamb for $90 per person, or $40 per child if you bring the kids along.
There's also a long lineup of additional eats to pick from, too. If you (and mum) are looking to level up your selection, opt for some add-ons and enjoy the likes of freshly shucked oysters and matured T-bone with salsa verde.
Sinclar's, Penrith
For riverside dining, book a spot at Sinclair's in Sydney's West. Penrith's sophisticated restaurant pairs serene scenes of the Nepean River with quality modern Australian eats. Head Chef Scott Mills has specially curated a sharing menu that highlights local produce for the occasion.
For just under $100 per person, you can treat mum to luxury dining with the expansive venue's Mother's Day menu. The celebratory spread includes zucchini flowers with lobster and a bisque dip, coral trout, and its signature potatoes cooked in beef fat, as well as a glass of complimentary sparkling on arrival.
Four Hundred Bar & Kitchen, North Sydney
Take mum to a lunch that doubles as a jewellery workshop. Four Hundred Bar & Kitchen — North Sydney's sunlight-filled venue — is partnering with local jewellery brand FinerRings, so you'll be able to enjoy Mexican fare while perfecting the art of ring-making.
Perfect for the mother-child duo, this three-hour workshop-while-you-feast event will have you walking away with two handmade pieces of your finest work and a full tummy. Split a bottle of Mumm Champagne and a grazing board with Mexican bites as you create your very own masterpiece.
The Old Fitzroy Hotel, Woolloomooloo
Before we start, expect The Old Fitz to be busy on Mother's Day. That doesn't mean you should avoid it — there's plenty of room, just make sure to book early. Run by the hospitality experts at Odd Culture Group, this lively pub boasts a sophisticated food offering focused on French cuisine.
Soak up the sunshine from The Old Fitz's breezy outdoor seating or leafy, sunlit bistro as you sip your way through cold bevs — plus, the outpost is very dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your beloved pooch along, too. For eats, the Mother's Day menu stars its usual staples, from the baguette and steak tartare to the duck liver pate, alongside a hefty Sunday roast featuring crackling pork belly and slow-roasted squash.
Casa Esquina, Balmain
Balmain residents, here's a venue that's a guaranteed a home run. Casa Esquina's gorgeous outdoor dining paired with its laidback Argentinian menu makes it arguably one of the top spots for spending some quality time with mum this year.
The restaurant's set four-course menu will alleviate the stress of choosing, kicking off with a limoncello spritz, followed by dishes such as scallop ceviche, black garlic pasta and Tajima wagyu picanha.
Soul Dining, CBD
If your mum has exceptional taste or you're looking to really spoil her, fine-diner SOUL Dining's dim lighting and superb contemporary Korean cuisine will be a winner. Treat yourself to a spread of the restaurant's best — and most beloved — dishes during an eight-course lunch service, which will also include a welcome drink and a special something for the woman of the hour.
Manly Pavillion, Manly
Raise a glass to the most important woman — or women — in your life with Manly Pavilion's gorgeous waterfront scenes as a backdrop. If mum is located in Sydney's North and getting her across The Spit is a tough sell, this waterside spot is a crowd-pleaser.
Indulge in a fragrant Garden Spritz or bottle of Chandon Blac de Blancs as you soak up the stunning surrounds. This specially-curated luncheon will span three tasty courses and will also include a complimentary family portrait photographed by local talent Samantha Riles, with donations from the photos put towards the Northern Beaches Women's Shelter.
Robert Walsh
Infinity at Sydney Tower, CBD
Make this Mother's Day an unforgettable one by treating mum to a dinner that she wouldn't ordinarily treat herself to. Take quality time to the next level — about 81 floors up — at Infinity inside Sydney Tower, with an ultra-luxe dinner that'll shower mum with gifts throughout. From a welcome glass of Mumm Grand Cordon to a rose, a live jazz band playing ambient tunes and an exclusive box of tempting truffles, mum is guaranteed to be absolutely spoilt with Infinity's 'Heart of the Home, Centre of the Table' offering.
Beau, Surry Hills
What better way to impress mum than with a memorable meal and a lovely bouquet of flowers? Head to the NOMAD crew's crowd-pleasing spot, Beau, and that's what you'll find. As well as a dedicated menu starring roasted halloumi, a spanner crab omelette, a rich vodka rigatoni and a fruity pavlova, this Surry Hills locale will give each diner a little gift from Go-To skincare.
But mums will also receive a little extra. Beau will partner with local florist My Violet to create beautiful bouquets to hand out to the special women — but you'll have to ensure you select this particular offering when making your booking.
St Siandra, Mosman
Add a little extra sunshine to Mother's Day without splurging on a Europe trip — instead, opt for a celebratory meal at the vibrant St Siandra. Sitting right on the water, Mosman's inviting venue takes cues from costal European summers, donning a sunny fit-out and spectacular waterfront views.
Pair the restaurant's bright decor with a Mediterranean-inspired and sharing-based menu led by Head Chef Sam McCallum, and you've secured one of the best Mother's Day itineraries. St Siandra's exclusive selection will feature staple menu items like the soft potato flatbread with tahina and its popular artichoke beignet. Plus, the menu can be amended to include vegetarian- and kid-friendly options.
Top image: Manly Pavilion