The Grounds of the City

4.4

3642 Reviews

$40 and under

Modern Australian

Make a booking

2 people

9 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 62 times today

Experiences are available.

Charming
Great for brunch
Good for special occasions

The Grounds of the City, the second outpost from the team behind The Grounds of Alexandria, is bringing soul back to the CBD with old-school service and charm. Located in the heart of the CBD and bustling with activity, The Grounds of the City is tailor-made for a marvellous time; no matter the occasion. Start your day right as our baristas expertly serve up The Grounds house-roasted espresso and filter coffees, or end it in the best possible way and cosy in with our selection of cocktails and a dinner menu that features something for everyone. You’ll find our coffee sommelier at The Barista’s Bar ready to take you through a tailored coffee experience, and our tea lady roaming the room with a trolley adorned with fresh coffee, our selection of ethically sourced teas and cakes.

Additional information

Location
500 George St, Sydney, AU-NSW 2000
Phone number
(02) 9699 2225
Price
$40 and under
Cuisines
Modern Australian, Cafe Dining
Hours of Operation
Mon–Fri 07:00–21:30 Sat 08:00–21:30 Sun 08:00–17:00
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Sydney CBD has a range of privately owned car parks located within walking distance. Two close-by options include the Citigroup Centre Car Park located at 271 Pitt St or the Queen Victoria Building Car Park at 111 York St.
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Paul McGrath

Featured in

35 Sydney Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Experiences

High Tea
A$65.00 per person
Multiple dates available
Indulge in a touch of elegance! Delight in a curated selection of sweet and savoury treats, including: - Cucumber, mint and cream cheese finger tea sandwich. - Poached chicken, sun dried tomato and watercress finger sandwich. - Mushroom, truffle and mascarpone mini tartlet. - Smoked salmon rillettes on brioche toast with dill, crème fraîche and caviar. - Mini vanilla mille feuille. - Chocolate sacher-torte. - Fresh plum and almond tartlet. - Chefs selection of macarons. - Warm scone with vanilla bean mascarpone and house-made jam. - A cup of tea, coffee or juice. All items will be plated to share. The high tea menu can only be adjusted for vegetarians. For other dietary needs, or groups of 6+ people, please contact us on (02) 9699 2225.

Popular dishes

Raisin French ToastA$22.00
Caramelised figs, vanilla yoghurt
Fresh Cut Fruit SaladA$22.00
Passionfruit, vanilla yoghurt
Toasted CrumpetsA$19.00
Butter, clotted cream, wild organic honey
Housemade GranolaA$22.00
Cinnamon yoghurt, figs, banana, almonds
Chilled Overnight OatsA$20.00
Coconut yoghurt, mango, grapefruit, raspberries
Buttermilk PancakesA$24.00
Poached spring fruit salad, vanilla mascarpone
Continental BreakfastA$21.00
The Grounds mini pastry selection with condiments, vanilla bean yoghurt & fresh fruit salad

Perfect Eggs

Toasted Seedy BagelA$24.00
Whipped ricotta & feta, heirloom tomatoes, basil, lemon oil, capers
Tarte Fine Of Sauteed LeeksA$22.00
Poached eggs, hollandaise, oyster mushrooms, hazelnuts, endive
Zucchini & Spinach FrittersA$26.00
Crème fraîche, citrus-cured salmon, poached eggs, hollandaise
Eggs On ToastA$17.00
The Grounds sourdough
Big BrekkieA$27.00
Chicken chorizo, onions, fried potatoes, poached eggs, paprika, tomatoes, green chilli
Citrus Cured Salmon BenedictA$28.00
Croissant roll, poached eggs, chive, hollandise

The Classics

Lobster OmeletteA$38.00
Shimeji mushrooms, spinach, caper burnt butter
Avocado On ToastA$24.00
Grounds sourdough, poached egg, avocado, tomatoes, radish, feta, mint, lie, salsa verde
Steak 'N' EggsA$32.00
Fried eggs, sautéed onions, spinach, mushrooms, beef glaze
Brekkie BurgerA$24.00
Brioche bun, pepper jam, spinach, gruyere, cheddar, scrambled egg, port sausage, potato gems, chipotle aioli

Healthy Bowls

Breakfast SaladA$24.00
Millet, greens, cherry tomatoes, pears, avocado, poached eggs, herbed hollandaise
Brekkie Mezze BowlA$26.00
Peppers, tomatoes, feta, zucchini, cucumber, tahini, eggplant, chickpeas, avocado, herbs, hummus, fried egg, pickles, sesame bread

Sides

Streaky BaconA$6.00
AvocadoA$4.50
MushroomsA$5.50
Poached EggA$3.50
Roasted TomatoA$5.50
Italian Pork SausageA$6.50
Sourdough ToastA$3.50
Hot Smoked SalmonA$6.00

What 3,642 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4

4.4 based on recent ratings

4.3Food
4.4Service
4.5Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

Sydney
Most Booked
Sydney City
Great for brunch
Sydney City
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Grounds of the City offers an "amazing atmosphere" with "delicious food" and "attentive service." Guests love the "old world charm" and "fantastic ambiance." Many rave about the "best breakfast" and "perfect coffee." Reservations are recommended due to its popularity. Some mention slow service, but overall, it remains a "go-to spot" for visitors.

3,642 Reviews

G
Gayle
Sydney
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Food was lovely and staff were really pleasant and attentive despite it being super busy. We had to sit outside as inside was just too loud to allow conversation, however this was a busy lunch time slot, so I totally understand. Tuna tartare was delicious - so fresh!
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E
Emma
Sydney
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 23 February 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 2
Shame there are no toilets. It’s not ideal to have to leave the restaurant to use a bathroom.
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L
Lewis
New York City
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 21 February 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Delicious steak sandwiches. Sold out of all Sauvignon Blanc by the glass.
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J
Janet
Queensland
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 18 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My husband and I had breakfast at The Grounds in the City this morning and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The service is so incredibly quick, polite and efficient. The staff are both personable and professional. The food is excellent and probably the best breakfast I have had in a long time. I love the old world charm of this cafe. We only come to Brisbane once or twice a year and a visit to The Grounds is always one of the highlights.
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F
Federico
Sydney
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 17 February 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
The restaurant has a fantastic ambiance and excellent food, making for a great dining experience. However, the service could be more attentive. A bit more focus on customer engagement and responsiveness would elevate the experience even further.
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K
Kelsey
Sydney
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 16 February 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
If you’re going to the grounds for the atmosphere - nailed it! Great ambience! Once we got service, she was lovely and always made sure our water was full. Our coffee came out long after the food. Food was nice but not worth what you pay for it but I guess costs of living. Very loud and quite dark but a nice experience all the same
Is this helpful?
Y
Yunfan
Newcastle
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 15 February 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 5
Great food with some subtle racism in services. You wouldn't feel it if you're Caucasian.
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B
Bob
Sydney
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on 14 February 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
I dislike sitting facing a wall, so it was not a good start when I was. I ordered a steak sandwich. They provided a steak knife after the order. When it arrived it looked OK. However, when I tried to cut it into pieces to eat, there was a very tough band of grissle through the meat. I complained to the waitress. At the end of the meal I complained again as the plates were cleared. The manager came and apologised. He offered a ‘free’ desert. We did not need desert so he removed my main from the bill.
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F
Fortune
Sydney
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 14 February 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
The food was amazing! The ambiance was romantic and perfect for a Valentine’s celebration. However, the service was not the best. Our server was a bit clumsy and even told us not to raise our hands because it was busy. Overall, a great place for food and atmosphere, but service could be better.
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E
Erin
NT
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 11 February 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
Food was fantastic but service let the experience down. Made a booking so when I arrived I waited in the pre booked line. Was ignored by the host as she continued to seat people who walked up after we had arrived. Took 15mins to get a server to take a drink order.
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FAQs

The Grounds of the City offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (02) 9699 2225.

The Grounds of the City is rated 4.4 stars by 3642 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

9 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 62 times today

Experiences are available.

500 George St, Sydney, AU-NSW 2000

Additional information

Phone number
(02) 9699 2225
Price
$40 and under
Cuisines
Modern Australian, Cafe Dining
Hours of Operation
Mon–Fri 07:00–21:30 Sat 08:00–21:30 Sun 08:00–17:00
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Sydney CBD has a range of privately owned car parks located within walking distance. Two close-by options include the Citigroup Centre Car Park located at 271 Pitt St or the Queen Victoria Building Car Park at 111 York St.
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Paul McGrath

Featured in

35 Sydney Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

The Grounds of the City

Make a booking

Additional information

35 Sydney Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

High Tea

Brekkie Burger

Lobster Omelette

Buttermilk Pancakes

Rise & Shine

Raisin French ToastA$22.00

Fresh Cut Fruit SaladA$22.00

Toasted CrumpetsA$19.00

Housemade GranolaA$22.00

Chilled Overnight OatsA$20.00

Buttermilk PancakesA$24.00

Continental BreakfastA$21.00

Perfect Eggs

Toasted Seedy BagelA$24.00

Tarte Fine Of Sauteed LeeksA$22.00

Zucchini & Spinach FrittersA$26.00

Eggs On ToastA$17.00

Big BrekkieA$27.00

Citrus Cured Salmon BenedictA$28.00

The Classics

Lobster OmeletteA$38.00

Avocado On ToastA$24.00

Steak 'N' EggsA$32.00

Brekkie BurgerA$24.00

Healthy Bowls

Breakfast SaladA$24.00

Brekkie Mezze BowlA$26.00

Sides

Streaky BaconA$6.00

AvocadoA$4.50

MushroomsA$5.50

Poached EggA$3.50

Roasted TomatoA$5.50

Italian Pork SausageA$6.50

Sourdough ToastA$3.50

Hot Smoked SalmonA$6.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does The Grounds of the City offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is The Grounds of the City restaurant rated?

Is The Grounds of the City currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information

Featured in

35 Sydney Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day