10 Instagram-worthy Cafes and Foodie Must-Visits in Sydney

We’re seeing more and more travellers flocking to certain cafes and dining destinations around the world to get the ultimate ‘gram and given its iconic café culture, Sydney is a must-visit for foodie photographers. Whether it’s the interior décor or the photogenic dishes, Sydney’s café and restaurant scene has it all. Here are 10 Instagram-worthy cafes and foodie must-visits, ranging from iconic spots to hidden gems, that travellers need to add to their Sydney list.

 

1. Hyde Hacienda Sydney Bar + Lounge

Located on the third floor of Pullman Quay Grand, Hyde Hacienda Bar + Lounge is every Instagrammer’s dream: spectacular harbour views, lush baby pink velvet chairs, tropical plants and wisteria hanging from the ceiling. Views and interiors aside, if you’re a foodie, you won’t be able to get enough of their photogenic cocktails, including the Campfire Espresso Martini topped with toasted marshmallows and the vibrantly coloured Harbourside Hibiscus. You know what they say - camera eats first!

 

2. The Grounds of Alexandria

Image Credit: Destination NSW

Already an iconic Instagram location, no list would be complete without The Grounds. Located in a former industrial precinct from the 1920s in the inner city suburb of Alexandria, The Grounds of Alexandria is a landmark multi-purpose space, housing a cafe, sustainable garden, coffee roastery and research facility, animal farm, and so much more! The enchanting garden should be your first photo stop - the arbour laced with bougainvillaea and interwoven lighting is the ultimate setting to spice up your feed. You also can’t miss the enchanting glass house, which provides the perfect combination of natural light and flourishing foliage for a gorgeous capture.

 

3. Speedos

If you visit Sydney and don’t pop into the ‘World’s Most Instagrammable Cafe’, did you really visit Sydney at all? Speedos is located along the mesmerising coastline of Bondi Beach and serves whimsical and vibrant dishes (with vegan, dairy and gluten-free options) reminiscent of the Mad Hatter’s tea party in Alice in Wonderland. Photogenic must-orders include the decadent Big Breaky, #GramWorthy pancake stacks with caramelised bananas and chia, and a colourful Green Goddess bowl with super greens, flax and sesame seed fritters and quinoa.

 

4. Archie Rose Distillery

Image Credit: Destination NSW

 

Founded in 2014, Archie Rose Distilling Co. is Australia's most highly awarded distillery producing a diverse range of whiskies, gins, vodkas and rums. It’s also Sydney’s first inner-city distillery in 100 years, setting off a massive trend across Australia when they opened. Join one of their renowned distillery tours and learn first-hand how they produce their gins, whiskies and vodka followed by a guided tasting of all three of their core spirits. While you’re there, get an industrial chic #OOTD complemented by the copper tubing, brick walls and exposed concrete floors, or film their charismatic bartenders in action while they pour you a drink.

 

5. Black Star Pastry

Image Credit: Destination NSW

 

They’ve been copied multiple times the world over, but that beautiful strawberry and watermelon cake you see online originated in Sydney at Black Star Pastry. Chef Christopher Thé originally created the Strawberry Watermelon Cake for a wedding. Little did he know that his creation of layered almond dacquoise, rose-scented cream and watermelon would be declared as “the world’s most Instagrammed cake” by the New York Times. Stop by their original outlet in Newtown, or pop by their Rosebery outlet after your Archie Rose tour — they’re located right around the corner from each other.

 

6. No Fail

With a vibrant menu of teas available for selection, No Fail is an exciting indie tea shop located along Goulburn Street and Burwood Road and is Sydney’s homegrown bubble tea brand. Aside from regular bubble tea, tea aficionados can choose from fresh fruit teas, cheese fruit tea frappes and brûlée milk teas. The store is well known for its thick, savoury cheese foam that is the perfect complement to its refreshing fruit teas. Secret menu items are available here too and the new cups have a caricature of a pig dabbing on them - how could you resist taking a snapshot? 

 

7. Two Sis & Co.

When it comes to Instagrammable cafes in Sydney, it’s hard to leave Two Sis & Co. off the list. Delightfully vibrant creations fill the menu, meaning that the camera will be eating first throughout the whole meal! A bright white wall provides a clean backdrop for photos of the dishes, which include everything from mermaid pancakes and syrup-filled shots to fairy floss-topped ice lattes.

 

8. Cuppa Flower

Cuppa Flower’s floral section is great for taking Instagram shots, and the cafe’s decor is diverse enough to allow guests to really tailor their photos to suit their own feed’s aesthetic. Add on a unique line-up of dishes and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a quality bite with some wonderfully photogenic food.

 

9. Social Hideout

With seventeen thousand flowers suspended from the ceiling and stuck into feature walls, it's no wonder  Social Hideout has been dubbed one of Sydney's most Instagrammable cafés. The menu plays with both Japanese and Mediterranean cuisine to create delicious and, of course, visually aesthetic eats. Popular menu dishes seem to have been designed for Instagram and include a milkshake served in a pretty gold bathtub topped with fairy floss, perfectly paired with their Red Velvet Benedict - eggs benedict complete with red velvet croissant.

 

10. KitKat Chocolatory

The first of its kind in Australia, the newly-opened KitKat Chocolatory in Sydney is an immersive, photogenic experience. As well as offering a range of exclusive flavours, the Chocolatory also has a ‘Create Your Break’ section which allows chocoholics to create up to 30,000 different combinations of chocolate. It’ll be impossible to stop from going snap-happy!