The Grounds of The City

The Grounds of the City is a beautiful spot with a vintage yet chic atmosphere that immediately catches your attention. The place is full of thoughtful details that make everything feel very aesthetic and charming. The interior is particularly lovely, but there’s also an outdoor seating area that’s pleasant if you prefer a bit of fresh air. The bar area is surprisingly comfortable as well and works perfectly if the restaurant is full and you can’t find a regular table — you can still sit there and enjoy a full meal. The drinks were fresh and delicious, and the service was friendly, quick, and attentive. Food presentation is great, portions are fair, and the flavors are very enjoyable overall. The only small downside was the bread on the steak sandwich, which was a bit hard, but everything else we tried was really tasty. This is a great place for a special brunch, a casual celebration, or simply a beautiful dining experience while exploring the city. It does get quite busy, so making a booking is recommended. If you arrive without one, the hostesses are very friendly and will usually put your name on the waiting list and help accommodate you as soon as possible. A helpful tip for visitors: the restaurant is located inside the historic Queen Victoria Building, one of Sydney’s most iconic buildings. It’s a perfect stop while shopping or sightseeing in the area, and it’s within walking distance of Town Hall Station, making it very easy to access. Overall, a lovely, stylish café that’s definitely worth visiting when you’re in Sydney.

We dined at The Grounds of the City, conveniently located across from the Queen Victoria Building in central Sydney. Our group consisted of three adults and a toddler. The staff was exceptionally helpful and accommodating, providing us with a highchair for the toddler. Throughout our visit, the team remained friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable, contributing to a positive dining experience. For our meal, we ordered the snapper ceviche, half roasted chicken, beef burger with chips, and baked goat cheese. Every dish was delicious. A notable detail was being asked how I preferred my burger cooked—a rare but appreciated gesture. I requested medium rare, and it was prepared perfectly. For beverages, we enjoyed a peach Bellini and a carrot and ginger drink. The overall experience was excellent. However, it is important to note that the restaurant can be quite loud, so it may not be suitable for those seeking a quiet environment. I will definitely return to The Grounds of the City given the wonderful food, attentive service, and vibrant atmosphere.

I dined at The Grounds of the City twice during my stay in Sydney, and both experiences were excellent. The restaurant has a beautiful vintage interior that feels elegant and welcoming, making it a really nice place to sit down and enjoy breakfast or brunch in the middle of the CBD. The food was consistently great on both visits. Everything was well prepared, flavourful, and nicely presented. You can tell they take pride in their menu and ingredients. It’s the kind of place where even simple breakfast dishes are done very well. What stood out just as much as the food was the service. The staff were friendly, attentive, and professional despite the restaurant being quite busy. They made the experience comfortable and enjoyable from start to finish. Overall, I can see why this place is so popular. Dining here twice and having such consistent food and service really says a lot. I would definitely return the next time I’m in Sydney.

Fantastic, sophisticated and delightful. Excellent service, even when it's really busy. Gets very crowded, always a good sign. Lovely ambience and setting, with great music in the background. My pork chop was nice - strange, asked me how I wanted the pork cooked. I would've thought anything less than well done would be a high risk of parasites and food poisoning, but I might be wrong. Burger was beautiful. Very cute and popular cafe with a delightful setting.

Had the best experience as a first timer at the Grounds of the City. It was a busy Saturday morning and the place was bustling. It was busy but exciting, I could not wait to try out the deconstructed iced coffee and 'something' from the breakfast menu. I decided on the Lobster benedict and my mum had the eggs florentine. We both enjoyed our meals and promised each other we would go back to try something from the lunch menu. I also ordered a bloody mary, which was amazing, i was asked to choose the spice level which is from 1 to 5 and i chose 3. It was a lovely kick of heat. And i also could choose whether it was made traditionally with vodka, or with tequila etc, it was fantastic. I appreciate the service we received from the hard working staff. They were on the ball! I look forward to returning again next year !!!

A cafe place must visit when Sydney is raining! Ambience is so cozy and giving old-money. We order mostly desserts but I think savory food also worth trying. Highly recommend everyone getting the lemon tart, enough sweetness yet tangy enough and the cream is so soft and creamy.

A very enjoyable experience overall. The food was delicious and well prepared, and the service was friendly and efficient throughout. The tables were quite small, but the staff made it work and were accommodating, which we appreciated. Being seated outside, it was a little noisy at times, but it didn’t take away from the great atmosphere. A solid spot with good food and service that we’d happily return to.

We booked the High Tea for Boxing Day and it was the perfect break from the frenzy of the sales! The atmosphere was so relaxing as we watched the chaos outside and the break gave us renewed energy to dive back into the madness of the Galeries. Our group of 6 really enjoyed our High Tea. The range of included drinks was fantastic - not just tea & coffee. My choice was the Deconstructed Mocha which was a winner! Such generous servings meant that none of us were able to finish everything. The general favourite sweet treat was the Cherry Chocolate Tart but the savouries were all great too! Service was helpful and attentive even though they were very busy and all up it was good value. Recommend! 👌🏻