Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in The Phoenix

"Affectionately known as the MCA, Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art is one of our absolute favourite places to go - it is just so family-friendly!. While we love their ever-changing schedule of fantastic exhibitions, they also run family tours and kid's activities to introduce mini creatives to art. We recommend Art Safari or Art Baby for a perfect family day at the museum and the Bella Family program for families with special needs."

"The Museum of Contemporary Art holds Australia's premier collection of painting, photography, sculpture and multimedia work by living artists, both international and Australian. Current exhibitions include surveys of the work of Destiny Deacon, Michael Armitage and Shaun Gladwell. The museum occupies the former Maritime Services Board Building, an imposing art deco space completed in 1952."

"The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) houses an ever-changing line-up of thought-provoking exhibitions and events. It showcases contemporary art from both Australian and international artists. Both established and emerging artists are all well represented as the MCA attempts to display the diversity of contemporary art in its various forms."

"Back in the day, a visit to Sydney wasn't complete without a visit to the family-friendly nooks and picture-perfect crannies of the Grounds. You'd know it was a long wait to get in, but it was an honour you'd queue for. While the brand of prettily plated café fare popularised by places like the Grounds has filtered out to eateries around the city, it's still a lovely spot to wander around, pet the pigs and grab a fresh brewed takeaway coffee to sit in the sun with."

"This cafe is constantly rated one of Sydney’s best for a very good reason. The Grounds of Alexandra is a cornucopia of whimsical delights. From the farm animals (meeting the famous pig, “Kevin Bacon” is a must) to the play area, fountain and rambling paths leading through gardens and lanes bursting with flowers, statues and tiny creative details, the external grounds at The Grounds is, in itself, worth a visit alone."

"Owners Mark LaBrooy, Darren Robertson and Andy Allen understand just how hard it can be to get moving in the morning, which is why they serve their breakfast menu all day long. If brunch turns into linner, it won’t matter. You’ll still be able to tuck into corn fritters with guacamole, smoked ocean trout with potato hash and black sausage with scrambled eggs, as well as cold-pressed juices and Single O coffee."

"Three Blue Ducks was started by a group of friends-slash-surfers and attracts like-minded locals from across the Eastern Beaches. Much of the produce is grown in the kitchen garden, and most people come to appropriately seek out healthful, locally sourced dishes."

"The popular Three Blue Ducks in Bronte is a popular spot. And don’t forget your swimmers if it’s warm – the Bronte baths is a good spot for the kids."

"Get delectable Vietnamese Fried Chicken Burgers and divine baos courtesy of Rice Pantry. 📍Rice Pantry, 705/75 Mary St, St Peters NSW 2044 📍Rice Pantry, Shop G002/20 Smidmore St, Marrickville NSW 2204"

"The team at Percy Plunkett are bringing back their takeaway offerings, including their beloved makeshift takeaway window. Expect pulled lamb toasties, their garden bowl, and all their usual menu items, including a few specials. They’re also making brekkie boxes filled with mini deep dish pancakes, fresh fruits, and butterscotch sauce."

"Button bar is a trendy pirate-themed enclave hidden behind a humble wooden door. Although it is perfect for weekday date nights, Button Bar is at it’s prime on a Saturdays, when you can truly experience this cocktail slinging station come to life, by getting into an all-bar sing-a-long of the rock-n-roll classics."

"Great food should be shared – that's the philosophy at Henrys on Grosvenor Street in Neutral Bay. This stylish restaurant is the North Shore's go-to spot for cool, contemporary dining, set on the leaf... "Postcard Views of Sydney."

"If you’re anywhere close to being a fan of vintage clothes and accessories, Crown Hills is for you. You know the extremely dedicated stores Cream on Crown and Romance Was Born, right?. Guess where you’ll be able to find them."

"WoolloomoolooHead Chef Matthew Kenny switched to a plant-based diet a little over 15 years ago and is now a master at creating the dishes we all know and love, but making it vegan. Alibi is the colourful restaurant inside Ovolo Woolloomooloo, which acts as a bar and restaurant at different times of the day. The set dinner menu is by far the favourite."

"Alibi Bar & Kitchen will offer their full plant-based ‘Dirty Greens’ bar menu for takeaway and delivery 7 days a week, from midday to 10 pm, in addition to their plant-based high tea takeaway for two. Menu highlights include the Alt Meat Co cheeseburger, fysh and chips, mac n ‘cheese balls, kelp noodle Cacio e Pepe and jalapeno loaded fries."

"Boutique restaurant inside the Ovolo Hotel that serves international vegan dishes. Open Sunday and Monday, 3pm – 12am; Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm – 12am. Located at Ovolo Hotel, 6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo, Sydney 2011."

"A 7-acre plot started as a poultry farm turned to be one of the must-visit wildlife parks near Sydney. The Featherdale located inner Western Sydney and a usual tour from Sydney to this wildlife park take 45 mins via M4 to reach. The finest Sydney attraction famous for Koala encounters and no one leaves Featherdale wildlife park without patting a Koala."

"A privately-owned zoo in Doonside, near Blacktown, Featherdale Wildlife Park specialises in Australian native wildlife and birds, as well as reptiles and marsupials. Get more info on visiting Featherdale Wildlife Park."