British celebrity chef Rick Stein has singled out a small café in Sydney’s Mosman as one of his regular breakfast stops, saying he always orders a large flat white, an orange juice and scrambled eggs and bacon on sourdough when he is in town.
Stein, who splits his time between the United Kingdom and Australia, told Good Food the venue — Avenue Road Cafe, tucked into Mosman Village at 185 Avenue Road — is a favourite because of its coffee and efficient service. "Where can you not get a good coffee in Sydney? I love a flat white, and there's this place called Avenue Road in Mosman we go to all the time," he said. "Every time I go there, I have a large flat white, an orange juice and scrambled eggs and bacon on sourdough. That's my order, and it's just always busy, always packed and really efficiently run."
Open daily from 6 a.m., Avenue Road serves early risers and weekend crowds with a menu that changes seasonally alongside held-to account classics. The café’s offerings include ricotta hotcakes, a Himalayan hash with halloumi and a signature "Halloumi Heights" toast stacked with avocado, mushrooms, spinach, a poached egg and house-made tomato relish. Lunch plates range from crispy chicken coleslaw on waffles to a chicken tikka salad with quinoa and vegetables.
Local patrons and online reviewers have praised both the food and atmosphere. One review described the café as "a hidden gem of culinary delights," singling out the ricotta hotcakes and chicken tikka salad. Another diner acknowledged the prices were on par with other area options and called the dishes "delicious, a little more original, beautifully presented, and filling." Weekend customers said the portions are generous and that the café has become a ritual for many Mosman residents.
Stein’s public endorsement adds to the café’s profile among visitors as well as locals. The chef’s remark that the spot is "always busy" reflects the steady morning trade noted by customers and staff, and the cafe’s seasonal menu appears to balance comforting staples with dishes that have attracted a following.
Avenue Road’s presence in Mosman Village positions it close to Balmoral Beach and other neighbourhood draws, making it a convenient stop for both early commuters and leisure diners. As Stein and other patrons attest, the combination of well-made coffee, straightforward breakfast favourites and a bustling neighbourhood setting has helped the small café secure a place on Sydney’s list of recommended brunch spots.