Cult Brunch Spot: The Grounds Of Alexandria

I first discovered this place when I had family coming to stay from overseas or extended periods and I’d drawn up a list of showstopper restaurants, events and activities for us to cross off during their stay. Icons like Café Sydney and the bridge climb, or walk around Sydney Tower, and cocktails at the revolving bar at the top of the Shangri-La.
The beauty of a city like Sydney is that, even with a decade of visitors, I never did get to the end of that list. And the beauty of The Grounds is that its unlikely location on the way to the airport made it the perfect final stop – every single time – as they reluctantly made their exit.

From a family friendly perspective this place has everything – the legendary Kevin Bacon may have been retired to pastures new after his 2013 kidnapping debacle (fyi he’s a pig people!!) but he was replaced by the equally fabulously named Harry Trotter and continued the tradition of farm animals strategically placed around the gardens to entertain the kids while their parents knocked back a roses frosé (just me? cmon now, it can’t be?!!).

The flower power settings alone make this one of the prettiest and most instagrammable spots in the city, and owner Ramzey Choker and his team have a knack for signing deals with Disney and other big name partners to create themed extravaganzas with cult status that people travel far and wide to visit.
Halloween is a big deal here so we highly recommend you keep a close eye on their plans and book in when you can because seating is always in high demand. Christmas is also a big deal here with the place turning into a veritable wonderland with snow, reindeer, and a visit from the guy with white beard…!!

The other signature staple The Grounds is famous for is their heavenly desserts. There’s no such thing as a simple cake here, every creation is next level as if it’s been shipped in from some extra terrestrial dessert planet. Perfect for the weddings they host at the different venues dotted around the lot.
And if their name didn’t already give the game away it’s also worth noting that they famously brew their own coffee – and specialty teas – here. Do a double take at your favourite café and you’ll probably notice their branded beans, pods and packets popping up at some of Sydney’s best loved coffee shops.

Next up for The Grounds: Launching one of Sydney’s most opulent events and entertainment spaces with the opening of the latest Great Gatsby style venue. Think showstopper staircase and the industrial chandeliers of your dreams – at the vibrant new community and cultural South Eveleigh precinct. A former locomotive hub it will now feature The Grounds goodness at the heart of an eclectic array of cafés, restaurants, and retail shops.

Get ready to step inside in 2022 and enjoy honcho Ramzey Choker’s industrial (strength) state-of-the-art The Grounds Coffee Roastery, with tours and workshops dedicated to The Grounds famous coffee, plus foodie heaven in the form of a “classic with a twist” breakfast, and lunch like only The Grounds can ever really do it.