Dining with Terry Durack: Cafe at Dunbar House

Cafe at Dunbar House

Reservations are essential at this drop-dead gorgeous, 170 year-old stately home turned function venue and cafe. But it's worth the call ahead, to nab a table overlooking Watsons Bay as if it's your very own waterfront property. The breakfasts are up there with Sydney's best, including deftly poached eggs, perfectly crisped bacon, and –miracle of miracles – perfectly round, golden brown hash browns. The Single Origin Roasters coffee is fine, but it's worth ordering tea, if only for the ornate Royal Albert cups and saucers. The cafe also serves up a selection of Sydney's favourite lunch dishes, including buffalo mozzarella and heirloom tomato bruschetta, a charcuterie plate and a wagyu burger and scotch fillet with cafe de Paris butter, as well as a cool children's menu. Afternoon tea is a tourist attraction in its own right, with its selection of little pastries, finger sandwiches and scones, jam and cream. Champagne, they say, is optional. We say it's mandatory.

What the Good Food Guide says: “A sought-after table on the wide sandstone verandah of this heritage mansion is the place to be on a sunny day”.

This summer's hot order: Seared scallops with broad bean, lemon and herb risotto, $25

9 Marine Parade, Watsons Bay, 9337 1226, www.dunbarhouse.com.au, breakfast and lunch daily, about $80 for two for lunch, plus drinks.