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The Grounds of the City, Sydney, AU-NSW

The Grounds of the City

4.3
4.3
3623 Reviews
$40 and under
Modern Australian

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 81 times today
  • 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.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $40 and under
  • Cuisines
    Modern Australian, Café
  • Hours of Operation
    Mon–Fri 7:00 am–9:30 pm Sat 8:00 am–9:30 pm Sun 8:00 am–5:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (02) 9699 2225
  • Website
    http://thegrounds.com.au/Spaces/the-grounds-of-the-city/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Paul McGrath
  • Catering
    From client meetings to personal celebrations, our drop-off catering menu offers a selection of sweet and savoury options that can be combined to achieve the perfect offering for your occasion. To view our offering and order online, visit our website <a href="https://thegroundscatering.com.au/" target="_blank">here</a>.
  • Location
    500 George St, Sydney, AU-NSW 2000
  • Area
    Sydney CBD
  • Cross Street
    Park St, Sydney, AU-NSW 2000
  • 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.
  • Public transit
    TRAIN - Exit the train at Town Hall Station. The Grounds of the City is located on the right hand side, directly across the road from The Queen Victoria Building.<br /><br />BUS - Arrange a bus route to drop you at Town Hall Station, or the QVB on York St, located within walking distance from The Grounds of the City.
  • Additional
    Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, High Tea, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Menu

Available 'til 11:30am

Rise & Shine

  • Raisin French Toast$22.00

    Caramelised figs, vanilla yoghurt

    • Fresh Cut Fruit Salad$22.00

      Passionfruit, vanilla yoghurt

      • Toasted Crumpets$19.00

        Butter, clotted cream, wild organic honey

        • Housemade Granola$22.00

          Cinnamon yoghurt, figs, banana, almonds

          • Chilled Overnight Oats$20.00

            Coconut yoghurt, mango, grapefruit, raspberries

            • Buttermilk Pancakes$24.00

              Poached spring fruit salad, vanilla mascarpone

              • Continental Breakfast$21.00

                The Grounds mini pastry selection with condiments, vanilla bean yoghurt & fresh fruit salad

                Perfect Eggs

                • Toasted Seedy Bagel$24.00

                  Whipped ricotta & feta, heirloom tomatoes, basil, lemon oil, capers

                  • Tarte Fine Of Sauteed Leeks$22.00

                    Poached eggs, hollandaise, oyster mushrooms, hazelnuts, endive

                    • Zucchini & Spinach Fritters$26.00

                      Crème fraîche, citrus-cured salmon, poached eggs, hollandaise

                      • Eggs On Toast$17.00

                        The Grounds sourdough

                        • Big Brekkie$27.00

                          Chicken chorizo, onions, fried potatoes, poached eggs, paprika, tomatoes, green chilli

                          • Citrus Cured Salmon Benedict$28.00

                            Croissant roll, poached eggs, chive, hollandise

                            The Classics

                            • Lobster Omelette$38.00

                              Shimeji mushrooms, spinach, caper burnt butter

                              • Avocado On Toast$24.00

                                Grounds sourdough, poached egg, avocado, tomatoes, radish, feta, mint, lie, salsa verde

                                • Steak 'N' Eggs$32.00

                                  Fried eggs, sautéed onions, spinach, mushrooms, beef glaze

                                  • Brekkie Burger$24.00

                                    Brioche bun, pepper jam, spinach, gruyere, cheddar, scrambled egg, port sausage, potato gems, chipotle aioli

                                    Healthy Bowls

                                    • Breakfast Salad$24.00

                                      Millet, greens, cherry tomatoes, pears, avocado, poached eggs, herbed hollandaise

                                      • Brekkie Mezze Bowl$26.00

                                        Peppers, tomatoes, feta, zucchini, cucumber, tahini, eggplant, chickpeas, avocado, herbs, hummus, fried egg, pickles, sesame bread

                                        Sides

                                        • Streaky Bacon$6.00

                                          • Avocado$4.50

                                            • Mushrooms$5.50

                                              • Poached Egg$3.50

                                                • Roasted Tomato$5.50

                                                  • Italian Pork Sausage$6.50

                                                    • Sourdough Toast$3.50

                                                      • Hot Smoked Salmon$6.00

                                                        Last updated: 4 December 2024

                                                        What 3,623 people are saying

                                                        Overall ratings and reviews

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

                                                        4.3
                                                        4.3 based on recent ratings
                                                        • 4.2Food
                                                        • 4.3Service
                                                        • 4.4Ambience
                                                        • 4Value

                                                        Noise • Energetic

                                                        Loved For

                                                        • Sydney

                                                          Great for brunch

                                                        • 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 a "great ambience" and "delicious food," making it a popular choice for breakfast and brunch. Highlights include a "vintage atmosphere" and attentive service. While some find it noisy, the lively vibe appeals to many. "Highly recommended" for its inviting setting and flavorful menu options.

                                                        3,623 Reviews

                                                        1. James

                                                          Singapore

                                                          1 review

                                                          2.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined 2 days ago

                                                          1. Overall 2
                                                          2. Food 1
                                                          3. Service 1
                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                          Ordered steak sando med rare, arrived rare as heck. It was cheap cuts of beef too, so even after it was re-fired it was still rubbery and fibrous. Service was poor as our waitress was judgy and disingenuous. Waitress manager also ignored my raised hand when i wanted to send back the beef, and had to wait for our original waitress to come back. Front of house waitress was the only one who was top tier.

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                                                        2. Tony

                                                          Sydney

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined 2 days ago

                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                          2. Food 4
                                                          3. Service 4
                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                          Incredible ambiance. A terrific feel. Lovely food.

                                                          Is this helpful?

                                                        3. Pierre

                                                          Sydney

                                                          2 reviews

                                                          4.0

                                                          2 reviews

                                                          Dined 4 days ago

                                                          1. Overall 4
                                                          2. Food 4
                                                          3. Service 4
                                                          4. Ambience 4
                                                          Great opportunity to meet colleagues for a breafkfast meeting with great food in a lively environment
                                                          The Grounds of the CityResponded 3 days ago
                                                          Dear Pierre, hank you for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that our lively atmosphere and great food made for a productive and enjoyable breakfast meeting with your colleagues. We hope to see you again soon! - Nagi (TGOTC)

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                                                        4. Danielle

                                                          Gold Coast

                                                          1 review

                                                          3.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined 6 days ago

                                                          1. Overall 3
                                                          2. Food 2
                                                          3. Service 3
                                                          4. Ambience 3
                                                          Served fairly quickly however the food arrived cold, Bacon burnt. The coffee was the best part of the entire experience.
                                                          The Grounds of the CityResponded 5 days ago
                                                          Dear Danielle, Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the coffee, but we’re sorry to learn that the food didn’t meet expectations. We take all comments seriously and will address the temperature of the dishes and the bacon issue to ensure a better experience next time. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back and provide a more satisfying meal. - Nagi (TGOTC)

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                                                        5. Katy

                                                          Sydney

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined on 3 December 2024

                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                          2. Food 5
                                                          3. Service 5
                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                          Great for a lovely mid week work brunch or lunch!
                                                          The Grounds of the CityResponded 5 days ago
                                                          Dear Katy, Thank you for the kind words! We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed your mid-week brunch or lunch with us. We look forward to welcoming you back for more delicious meals soon! - Nagi (TGOTC)

                                                          Is this helpful?

                                                        6. Liz

                                                          Sunshine Coast

                                                          2 reviews

                                                          3.0

                                                          2 reviews

                                                          Dined on 1 December 2024

                                                          1. Overall 3
                                                          2. Food 3
                                                          3. Service 4
                                                          4. Ambience 4
                                                          Servers were lovely but food was average and not the best variety. Too busy and cramped too.
                                                          The Grounds of the CityResponded 5 days ago
                                                          Dear Liz, Thank you for your feedback! We're glad to hear you enjoyed the service from our lovely team. We're sorry that the food and variety didn’t meet your expectations and that the atmosphere felt crowded. We truly value your comments and will take them into account as we continue to improve. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back and provide a better experience next time. - Nagi (TGOTC)

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                                                        7. Jacqui

                                                          WA

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined on 30 November 2024

                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                          2. Food 5
                                                          3. Service 5
                                                          4. Ambience 4
                                                          The food was amazing. We had squid, fries and heirloom tomatoes., all of which was incredible. Also had the truffle pasta which was nice not quite as flavourful as I expected.
                                                          The Grounds of the CityResponded 5 days ago
                                                          Dear Jacqui, hank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed the squid, fries, heirloom tomatoes, and truffle pasta. We appreciate your honest comment about the truffle pasta, and we'll definitely take it into account to improve the flavor. We hope to welcome you back soon to try more of our delicious dishes! - Nagi (TGOTC)

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                                                        8. SHINJI

                                                          Sydney

                                                          1 review

                                                          5.0

                                                          1 review

                                                          Dined on 26 November 2024

                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                          2. Food 5
                                                          3. Service 5
                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                          料理はどれも大変美味しく価格もリーズナブルでした。 店の雰囲気、スタッフの対応も良く最高な店です。 はじめてのシドニーの🌉でしたが良い時間を過ごせました。
                                                          The Grounds of the CityResponded 5 days ago
                                                          Dear Shinji, Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the food, found the prices reasonable, and appreciated our atmosphere and service. It means a lot to us that we could help make your first visit to Sydney a memorable one. We hope to welcome you back again soon! "arigatou" - Nagi (TGOTC)

                                                          Is this helpful?

                                                        9. Natasha

                                                          Sydney

                                                          3 reviews

                                                          5.0

                                                          3 reviews

                                                          Dined on 25 November 2024

                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                          2. Food 5
                                                          3. Service 5
                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                          It's such a beautiful place to sit and enjoy brunch with friends. The food is delicious and it's such a friendly atmosphere. Can't wait to come back again!
                                                          The Grounds of the CityResponded 5 days ago
                                                          Dear Natasha, Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and time with your friends. It’s always our goal to create a welcoming space for everyone. We look forward to having you back again soon! - Nagi (TGOTC)

                                                          Is this helpful?

                                                        10. Sara

                                                          Sydney

                                                          7 reviews

                                                          vip
                                                          5.0

                                                          7 reviews

                                                          Dined on 24 November 2024

                                                          1. Overall 5
                                                          2. Food 5
                                                          3. Service 5
                                                          4. Ambience 5
                                                          It was very nice as always, definitely I’ll come again 🤍🤍
                                                          The Grounds of the CityResponded 5 days ago
                                                          Dear Sara, Thank you so much for your kind words and support! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your visit and can’t wait to welcome you back again soon. - Nagi (TGOTC)

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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 4.3 stars by 3623 OpenTable diners.

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

                                                        Make a booking

                                                        2 people
                                                        7:00 pm
                                                        Booked 81 times today

                                                        Order delivery or takeout

                                                        Google Map for The Grounds of the City

                                                        500 George St, Sydney, AU-NSW 2000

                                                        Additional information

                                                        • Cross Street
                                                          Park St, Sydney, AU-NSW 2000
                                                        • Area
                                                          Sydney CBD
                                                        • Hours of Operation
                                                          Mon–Fri 7:00 am–9:30 pm Sat 8:00 am–9:30 pm Sun 8:00 am–5:00 pm
                                                        • Price
                                                          $40 and under
                                                        • Cuisines
                                                          Modern Australian, Café
                                                        • Dining style
                                                          Casual Elegant
                                                        • 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.
                                                        • Public transit
                                                          TRAIN - Exit the train at Town Hall Station. The Grounds of the City is located on the right hand side, directly across the road from The Queen Victoria Building.BUS - Arrange a bus route to drop you at Town Hall Station, or the QVB on York St, located within walking distance from The Grounds of the City.
                                                        • Payment Options
                                                          AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
                                                        • Executive Chef
                                                          Paul McGrath
                                                        • Additional
                                                          Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, High Tea, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
                                                        • Website
                                                          http://thegrounds.com.au/Spaces/the-grounds-of-the-city/
                                                        • Phone number
                                                          (02) 9699 2225
                                                        • Catering
                                                          From client meetings to personal celebrations, our drop-off catering menu offers a selection of sweet and savoury options that can be combined to achieve the perfect offering for your occasion. To view our offering and order online, visit our website <a href="https://thegroundscatering.com.au/" target="_blank">here</a>.

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