For the love of mum: Where to find Sydney’s best Mother’s Day breakfast and lunch
By Jay Chabon
Like any special occasion, Mother’s Day has its traditions: a sleep in and breakfast in bed being chief among them.
But when it’s a lie-in in a bed you’ll later have to make, and a meal on dishes requiring you to wash up, well, the treat soon becomes a chore.
So, if you’re a mum, or have one you adore, why not take the work out of what should be mum’s special day and treat her (or yourself) to a stay at Y Hotels?
Not only will we cater to your every need, we’ll even make the bed!
And as for the meal, here’s our top tips for breakfast, lunch and a little something in between.
Breakfast (or brunch) by the beach
Manly Wine
Breakfast by the beach in God’s country.
What more could a mother ask for?
Adoring family to shout her brekkie perhaps?
A healthy dose of sunshine and sand, along with a mouth-watering menu, is the order of the day at northern beaches hangout Manly Wine.
And no, we’re not suggesting a glass of chardy with breakfast.
Although a glass of bubbly, or a Manly Wine specialty breakfast cocktail, is perfectly acceptable.
This place has two distinctive spaces catering to both sun seekers and night owls: the relaxed and casual beach-facing restaurant and a small bar-style space at the back (ideal for sunset cocktails later).
Bondi Hardware bar and restaurant
Think the gift of hardware is reserved for Father’s Day? Think again.
It’s DIY all the way for mum too.
Take her to breakfast at Bondi Hardware and the whole family can get on the tools to create a super-charged morning meal.
Once a place for local tradesman and DIY enthusiasts, the site underwent a complete transformation a few years back, reopening it’s doors as a hip bar and restaurant.
The DIY weekend breakfast/brunch menu is the signature go-to meal of a morning and great for a shared family meal.
Pick your style of eggs, select some sides for the table (sweet potato hash, bacon, beans and plenty of hollandaise for us thanks) and dig in!
Morning glory – High tea
A meal fit for a queen.
You got it.
And in the regal surrounds of the gorgeous Queen Victoria Building no less.
You’ll find one of Sydney’s best high teas at The Tea Room on the top floor of the QVB, located in what was once the original grand ballroom of the landmark city building.
Once you’ve finished marvelling at the beautiful Victorian ceiling and custom-designed Baccarat crystal chandeliers, there’s delectable sweet and savoury treats to enjoy, all gorgeously presented on a high tea platter, with a cup of her majesty’s finest, served in the house’s best china of course.
The Tea Room even has Mother’s Day presents sorted too – buy a boutique tea gift box for mum to take home.
Lunch-time luxury
Cafe Sydney
Spectacular harbour views, delicious food, and good company … you’ve done plenty right as a parent if you’re being spoiled to a lunch such as this!
No doubt it’s well deserved.
And your reward?
The luxury of lingering over lunch at Cafe Sydney.
It’s perched atop Customs House at Circular Quay, with spectacular sweeping views across the harbour.
And did we mention that seafood’s the specialty?
No surprise then that families flock here to spoil mum come the second Sunday in May.
A three-course menu created for the day includes plenty of choice, from the specialty seafood, to meat and vegetarian options too.
There’s even meals for the kids.
Yum cha
Family time is all about sharing, right?
Share and share alike as you divvy up a delectable selection of dim sims, plucked from the passing parade of trolleys participating in the fabulous lunch-time traditional known as yum cha.
One of our favourite places for a yum cha feast is THE EIGHT Modern Restaurant inside Chinatown’s Market City shopping and dining centre.
The place has recently undergone a renovation to the restaurant (the new look inspired by the shape of a Chinese abacus) and the menu (a modern interpretation to traditional dim sims).
THE EIGHT also takes pride in its live seafood selection, available for lunch or dinner.
Picnic in the park
Royal Botanic Garden
Don’t stop at a bunch of flowers.
Take mum to see an entire city garden in bloom.
Add statuesque shady trees, lush lawns and harbour views and you’ve got yourself a picturesque picnic spot in The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
Even better, you can pick up the picnic food there too.
The Botanic Gardens Café will provide a hamper full of gourmet goodies and a blanket to boot.
For a little something extra special, add a gift of flowers or chocolate covered strawberries.
Hyde Park
Make yourself at home with the friendly neighbour to one of our two fine Y Hotels, Hyde Park.
There’s plenty of space to set up camp in this inner-city sanctuary.
As for the fare, stock up on some specialty takeaway from the David Jones Food Hall. Bon appétit!
How will you spoil your mum this Mother’s Day? Tell us in the comments section below.