Six of the Best Hotel Brunches for Kids in Sydney

By Zoe Crane, ellaslist explorer

While taking the family for a buffet breakfast or brunch at a hotel in your own city may seem odd at first, if you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. First, there is no waiting for meals to come so no keeping kids entertained. Second, if you have a fussy eater they are bound to find at least a few things they like and if they try something and hate it, they can just go get something else. Third, you’ll feel like you are on holidays which is just how Sundays should feel. And last, they all have chocolate and some of them include champagne. Enough said really.

1. Café Opera at the Intercontinental, Sydney

The breakfast buffet at Café Opera is not cheap at $42, but with the meticulous attention paid to each dish it is definitely worth treating yourself. Kids are cheaper at $25 each and there is an a la carte option, though it would be a shame not to try the smoked salmon or an omelette made freshly to your tastes, or is that a steaming hot waffle with gelato on top? Using only premium local ingredients, your usual honey on toast becomes Neu’s German bread with hand-churned Pepe Saya butter and honey dripping straight off the comb. You’ll also get your caffeine fix with unlimited barista made coffees. With treats at every turn for young and old, it’s hard not to come out feeling overstuffed. But a brisk walk through the botanical gardens or down to the opera house afterwards is sure to make you feel better, as is the knowledge that all the leftover food goes to feed people in need.

2. Glass Brasserie at the Hilton, Sydney CBD

The buffet breakfast at Glass Brasserie has been called the best in Sydney and with well-known chef Luke Mangan in charge it is no surprise. In fact it is so popular that they recommend non-hotel guests book in advance, even for breakfast. While all buffets are a good option if you have picky eaters, Glass takes it a step further with customisable options such as a fresh juice bar with piles of fruit to make your own creation, or a muesli stand with piles of fruit, nuts and grains to work with. The floor to ceiling windows overlook the Queen Victoria Building, where you can work off your breakfast browsing the high-end shops and toy stores. The full buffet breakfast is $42 for adults and half price for kids 5-12, while under-fives eat free.

3. Cafe Mix at the Shangri La, The Rocks

Set on the first floor of the Shangri-La, Café Mix may not have the views of Altitude upstairs, but the stunning breakfasts make up for it. This is a perfect pick for kids because almost everything comes in small bites, which little mouths will love. Even children with a tiny appetite will get to sample lots of tiny treats from the buffet. Try the mini-smoothies or yoghurt tubs, or petite muffins and chocolate croissants. After breakfast head over the MCA, or jump on a ferry at Circular Quay. Kids six and under eat free while seven to eleven-year-olds pay half of the $42 adult’s price.

4. Mosaic at the Westin, Martin Place

The full buffet breakfast at Mosaic is, you guessed it, $42 (I’m beginning to see a pattern here) with kids eating for half price. Set within a soaring glass atrium, this huge space is sure to impress the kids if you can tear them away from the pancakes, eggs, pastries and gelato. If you are feeling a bit more health conscious look out for the “Super Foods” signs adorning the healthier options. There is even a section devoted to gluten-free delights. On Sundays from 12pm they have a Sunday brunch for $68 (kids half price) which combines all the highlights of breakfast with healthy lunch options and not so healthy but totally irresistible desserts.

5. Stockroom at the Intercontinental Double Bay

A truly indulgent way to spend a Sunday afternoon, eat and drink to your heart’s content with Stockroom’s platters of seafood including freshly shucked oysters, lobster and prawns, or breakfast favourites such as buttermilk pancakes. Kids will love the beef sliders and while you try to choose from the delectable desserts they’ll be busy at the soft serve station. Brunch is served from 12-3 on a Sunday and costs $85 per adult including a glass of champagne, or add another $60 for all the Perrier Jouet Grand Brut Champagne you can drink in two hours. Kids aged 5-12 are $25 and children under five are free.

 

6. Rise Breakfast at Rydges, Bankstown, Camperdown, North Sydney, Cronulla, Parramatta

If you don’t want to head into the city to eat all the breakfast you can, Rydges have introduced their new Rise breakfast, a slightly healthier option without the city price tag. Touted as an alternative to the classic hotel breakfast, Rydges say their new Rise breakfast options are healthy, fast, and high energy. Does that sound like any little people you know? Choose from whole grain breads, pressed vegetable juices and seasonal fruit, or the more traditional bacon, eggs and sausages affair. Times and prices vary slightly by location but the full buffet breakfast is about $25 for adults and children are half price.

 

Bonus Breakfasts

A few more city hotels with a buffet breakfast worth mentioning are the Sheraton on the Park, The Sir Stamford and the Sheraton Four Points. If you’re looking outside the city you could try the Novotel in either Brighton Le Sands or Manly, or for a special a la carte option the restaurant at Q Station in Manly.