Sydney cafes for sunny spring days

Spring is prime time when it comes to sitting around in the sunshine enjoying endless rounds of tea, coffee and treats. Here are 10 of the most recent arrivals that deserve a bit of fanfare for being great cafes to hang out as the days get longer.

Hazelhurst Garden Cafe
This Gymea cafe has been completely transformed by chef James Watson (Peacock Trattoria and Italian Stallion Bar & Grill) who continues to push the good food movement forward in Sydney's south. Expect Allpress coffee, organic ice blocks and made-to-order options that celebrate the seasons. You will know spring has sprung when you order the naked crab prawn asparagus sushi roll with ginger dressing or corn polenta topped with prawns, spring asparagus and poached eggs. Parents should take turns to watch their toddlers playing in the sandpit and go for a gawp at the adjoining gallery. BYO bucket and spade.
782 Kingsway, Gymea, 02 8536 5755, instagram.com/hazelhurstcafe

Frank and Blanco
Fling open the windows and let the metaphorical net curtains flutter in this new cafe-by-day, bar-by-night addition to this snug section of Sutherland. The cafe is open from 7am and popular with commuters who grab a cup of locally roasted White Horse coffee and cinnamon scroll to go. It is lambing season, so enjoy a bite of a little bleater: chargrilled lamb back strap with red bean puree, chilli flakes and snow pea sprouts. The Shire represents new pastures for chef Tom Stott (ex-junior sous chef at Est.), who is creating a stir with his idiosyncratic take on Mexican fare. A menu worth its salt (made up of ground-up agave worms).
790 Old Princes Highway, Sutherland, 02 9545 0005, frankandblanco.com.au

Flour Drum, Newtown
Food tourists regularly pop in to this comfy neighbourhood cafe when on a pilgrimage of the inner west. Perch at the counter near to the footpath, which offers a perfect vantage point from which to observe the plaid-clad hip parade. You can also sit and watch tender green shoots sprouting forth from the miniature terrarium herb garden or bunker down in the back room to enjoy a chickpea burger with pickled zucchinis and homemade labneh. Listen for admiring sighs as you enjoy a wodge of berry sponge cake with an icy cold-drip brew of Blind Coffee Roasters.
531 King Street Newtown, 02 9565 2822, flourdrum.com.au

Majestic Harvest Cafe
The old Majestic Theatre in Petersham began life as a cinema in the early 1900s before being reincarnated as a nightclub and rollerskating rink. The grand old building's dignity was restored when it switcheroo-ed into Majestic Gourmet Grocers, which includes a greengrocer, charcuterie, fromagerie, boulangerie and seafood counter. After ogling the produce on offer at Mercado Europa, head to Majestic Harvest Cafe to enjoy dishes that scream spring: try zucchini flowers with ricotta, pine nuts, basil, burnt butter muscatel.
49a New Canterbury Road, Petersham 02 8097 2222, majesticgourmetgrocers.com.au

Little Jean
A quick scroll through the images of @littlejean_doublebay on Instagram shows the joy Christopher Stockdale gets from conjuring up dishes from the season's bounty. Arrive at the sleek cafe with a shortlist of desired Insta-worthy dishes such as grilled local baby octopus with shaved zucchini flower, soft herbs, jalapeno or saute of kale, Swiss brown mushrooms and greens with miso dressing and soft-poached eggs. The lusty bistro has boosted the stocks of the Double Bay dining scene.
1 Kiaora Road, Double Bay, 02 9328 0201, littlejean.com.au

The Cross Eatery
Not all of the new cafes in Sydney's CBD are created equal. Some are a lot better than others, which is why you will see lines of suits laden down with lattes after a stop-off at The Cross Eatery. There's more to offer than the great coffee being poured by barista Marcelo Soto​ (ex-Mecca): there's kombucha on tap and an All-Day Breakfast Sandwich that is a beautifully bonkers creation. Step away from your keyboard and dine in with a sensational zucchini and lentil salad at the cafe, in the lobby of the Heritage-listed Red Cross building.
155 Clarence Street, Sydney, 02 9279 4280, crosseatery.com.au

Jardin St James
This new al fresco cafe is set to flourish in the forecourt beneath the soaring sandstone columns of Sydney's oldest church, overlooking Hyde Park. Inspired by French cafe culture, expect the custom coffee cart to be a refuge for bigwigs from the nearby Law Courts and a gathering point for those who want to gulp down an espresso and croissant before work. It's worth finding a puddle of sunshine to chew over the menu of French fare: bacon and egg brioche with tomato relish, Swiss cheese and rocket or a Mrs Croque (smoked ham, Swiss cheese and bechamel on brioche). BYO wine and French Champagne.
173 King Street, in the forecourt of St James Anglican Church, CBD, jardinstjames.com, 02 9460 0048

Kansas City Shuffle
Urban Dictionary defines the Kansas City Shuffle as being that moment when you look left and Bruce Willis snaps your neck. Ben Sweeten is behind this new venture in The Rocks and he is turning heads with chef Kayne Mordini​ (of Proud Mary fame in Melbourne) at the helm. The bipolar menu has healthful offerings in one corner and bold diner-style food in the other. Suck back acai and granola with coconut yoghurt and a shot of Single Origin at the street-facing Little City Window or take a gambol out the back for spring lamb with black barley salad, smoked eggplant, yoghurt and dukkah.
195 Gloucester Street, The Rocks, www.facebook.com/kansascityshufflesyd

The Grumpy Baker
You will know spring has popped its cork in this little cafe as the brigade of bikini-clad and bare-chested locals slink by. Play spot the 2035 tattoo while picking up a loaf of artisan sourdough from the tiny nook, which uses Single Origin beans, T2 teas and Bonsoy. Pile your plate with pancakes with yoghurt pistachio, maple glaze and strawberries or scarf down a bespoke pie while checking the surf.
122 Marine Parade, Maroubra, thegrumpybaker.com.au

Bazaar Deli
The Grumpy Baker himself, Michael Cthurmer​, has also opened another two offshoots in the Eastern Suburbs next to his bakery in Vaucluse: Bazaar Deli and Coppetta. Enjoy a cup of Will & Co coffee and sweet dukkah pancakes while watching a game of cricket in Christison Park or pick items from the cheese and salumi rooms for a posh picnic. Hot tip: save room for a scoop of marshmallow gelato at Coppetta, which is sandwiched between Bazaar Deli and the Vaucluse version of The Grumpy Baker. The gelataria has filled a void in Vaucluse with artisan gelato made onsite in the traditional Italian method.
Bazaar Deli, 777 Old South Head Road, Vaucluse, Sydney, 02 9337 6507, bazaardeli.com.au