The Grounds of the City

4.3

3636 Reviews

$A40 and under

Modern Australian

Make a booking

2 people

9 Jan 2025

19:00

Booked 89 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.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$A40 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.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, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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 3,636 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
4.4Service
4.4Ambience
4Value

Noise • Energetic

Diners' Choice Awards

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 vibrant atmosphere with "amazing vintage decor" and "great ambience." Known for its "excellent service," the restaurant serves delicious breakfast and coffee. While some dishes could use improvement, the "incredible tri-tip sandwich" and "heavenly pavlova" are standout menu items. Booking is recommended.

3,636 Reviews

G
Gemma
Sydney
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
We have been many times before and it’s been great, this time though not so great! Booked a table for 5 and a highchair, when we arrived we were given a table shoved in the corner and only set up for 4 and had to ask 3 times for a highchair! And just after we sat asked if we could move so they could assess the electrical cupboard. Food was taken and arrived fairly promptly and all was tasty however, my partner ordered the avocado toast but on gf bread. What arrived was so small compared to the non gf option. So we had to pay extra for the gf bread to only get half the portion?! And few sides were missing and had to chase them.
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J
Jennifer
Sydney
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Excellent service, lovely ambience, good for something different. However I struggle to understand why they are so popular. Very, very crowded, smallish food portions and very expensive. The scrambled eggs were watery and the hot chocolate was warm at best. Not in a rush to go back but also not the worst place I’ve been.
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M
Mel
Sydney
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 1
Food was terrific but your tables for 2 are way too close together … I don’t want to have to listen to the neighbouring tables conversation
The Grounds of the CityResponded 2 days ago
Dear Mel, Thank you for your feedback. We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the food! We appreciate your comments about the table spacing and understand the importance of providing a comfortable dining experience. I’ll share your feedback with the team as we continue to refine our setup. - Nagi (TGOTC)
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M
Mark
VIP
London
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A very nice spot: cheerful staff, great ambience & a decent menu offering. Love the decor. My main meal was slightly overcooked…kitchen was about to close…but my wife’s was perfect and I would happily return.
The Grounds of the CityResponded 2 days ago
Dear Mark, Thank you for your thoughtful review! We're glad you enjoyed the cheerful staff, ambience, and decor, as well as the overall menu offering. I’m sorry to hear your main meal was slightly overcooked, especially toward the end of service, but it’s great to know your wife’s meal hit the mark. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to providing an even better experience next time! - Nagi (TGOTC)
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H
Hailey
Sydney
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We ordered lamb, steak sandwiches, tiger prawn salad and Afrogato. I love the Afrogato the most. It tasted very good.
The Grounds of the CityResponded 2 days ago
Dear Hailey, Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the affogato—it’s a customer favorite for good reason. It’s great to know you tried a variety of dishes, and we hope everything else met your expectations as well. We appreciate your support and look forward to serving you again! Kind regards, Nagi (TGOTC)
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K
Koji
Sydney
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
歴史のあるダイナーで雰囲気良かったです。ステーキとサラダを２人でシェアしましたが、還暦過ぎには丁度良いボリュウムでした。
Is this helpful?
S
Samantha
Sydney
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Amazing experience! Food was delicious and staff were so kind.
The Grounds of the CityResponded 5 days ago
Dear Samantha, Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the delicious food and kind service. It means a lot to us, and we hope your visit was truly memorable. - Nagi (TGOTC)
Is this helpful?
R
Roger
London
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 30 December 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
Excellent food. Really good ambience. Australian very laid back service.
The Grounds of the CityResponded on 30 December 2024
Dear Roger, Thank you for your great feedback! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the food and ambiance. We hope to give you a better service on your next visit. - Nagi (TGOTC)
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D
Dr. Yonico
Sydney
4 reviews
1.0
4 reviews
Dined on 30 December 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 2
Staff is not attentive at 2PM, 30 Dec 2024. I have been with u for long time and you disappointed me yesterday
The Grounds of the CityResponded 5 days ago
Dear Dr. Yonico, Thank you for your feedback. I'm sorry to hear about your experience on the 30th of December. We strive to provide attentive service at all times, and it’s disappointing to know we fell short during your visit. Your loyalty means a lot to us, and I appreciate you bringing this to our attention. If you’d like to share more details, please feel free to reach out directly. - Nagi (TGOTC)
Is this helpful?
C
Calum
Sydney
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 30 December 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 2
The interior looks amazing but it was way too busy and hectic for our liking. Staff were all great and very attentive. Food was very expensive and very slow to arrive. It was all... nice. But nothing overly impressed us unfortunately.
The Grounds of the CityResponded on 30 December 2024
Dear Calum, hank you for sharing your experience. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the interior and that our staff provided attentive service. We apologize that the busyness and wait times detracted from your visit, as well as that the food didn't fully impress. We’ll work on improving the pace and value of our offerings. We also appreciate your kind words for the hostess and will be sure to pass along your thanks. We hope to host you again soon in the near future. - 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 3636 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 Jan 2025

19:00

Booked 89 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

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
$A40 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, Takeout, 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>.

Featured in

35 Sydney Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

The Grounds of the City

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

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

Diners' Choice Awards

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

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Featured in

35 Sydney Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day