There’s no one right way to thank mum. In fact, we can spend our entire adult lives showing our mums love and appreciation and still never match what they’ve done for us. But we might as well try, and Mother’s Day is the perfect time to do it!
Whether you’re treating her to brunch, lunch, dinner, high tea, or a well-deserved drink, we’ve rounded up the best deals and options around town to show mum that she’s your number one this Mother’s Day.
Here are the best Mother’s Day events and eats happening in Sydney this year.
Estate Kitchen
COOGEE
Mum deserves a beautiful meal with seaside views and a complimentary glass of Mumm champagne on arrival, right? Across from picturesque Coogee Beach with the sea breeze rolling through Estate Kitchen, the whole family can treat mum to a three-course lunch curated by head chef Michael Tran ($70pp). Choose from entrees like raw tuna, pine nut, shiso, apple, and buttermilk; mains like lobster risotto, saffron, and avruga caviar; and desserts like apple and pistachio crumble with apple custard. Book a table here.
Gram Pancakes
CHATSWOOD
If you’re looking to have a cosy breakfast at home with mum or want to re-live the glory days of bringing her breakfast in bed, we’ve found something just for you. Available from May 6 – 9, Gram is doing a one-off Mother’s Day box that includes a mix of chocolate pancakes filled with chocolate cream and raspberry jam, and ruby rose tea cream pancakes topped off with raspberries and edible flowers. The box costs $33.90, and we won’t blame you for grabbing an extra one. You can contact Gram here to order.
Babylon
CBD
Looking for an absolute feast featuring a medley of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes on a rooftop in the heart of Sydney’s CBD? Transport mum into another culinary world without ever hopping on a plane with Babylon’s extensive eight-course menu ($55pp) featuring dishes like traditional lentil kofte, fattoush, shish tawook, and lahem meshwi. The tasting menu is for a minimum of four people, so book here and bring the whole family.
Wildlife Retreat At Taronga Zoo
MOSMAN
If cute native Aussie animals and a decadent high tea sound like the perfect combo for you and your mum, then look no further. Taronga's stunning Wildlife Retreat will be hosting a beautiful high tea morning overlooking the world-renowned views of Sydney Harbour, followed by meeting Australian native wildlife in an intimate setting. Expect an Aussie twist on the traditional high tea menu with bites like Tasmanian smoked salmon bagels with wattle seed crème fraiche, and lemon myrtle scones. Prices start from $95pp, including a glass of Veuve Clicquot NV on arrival and an hour of bottomless mimosas. Make sure to book right here.
You can also spoil mum with a super-special koala adoption. For $48 per year, this gift helps to care for the Koalas that call Taronga home, as well as the zoo's incredible and important conservation work. More info is here.
Arthur
SURRY HILLS
Alright, now we’re getting into “treat yo’self” (and mum) territory. Surry Hills’ Arthur restaurant knows how to nail a set menu, and this special Mother’s Day offering is no different. Head to the Bourke Street establishment for an exquisite tasting menu showcasing fresh protein and produce. After a glass of sparkling on arrival, expect dishes like spanner crab with wakame and oyster cream, or bass grouper with pumpkin and marigold, or margra lamb tomahawk, wild rice, and mountain pepper. Sittings are taking place at 11.30am, 2pm, and 6pm, costing $125pp with the option for additional drinks pairing for $79pp. Book here.
Bellevue Cottage By Antoine
GLEBE
Bellevue Cottage by Antoine understands an important truth: mums aren’t all the same. Some would prefer a cosy night in, or a classic picnic without any fuss over a glamorous night out. And for those mums, the Glebe French restaurant has created the ultimate Mother’s Day hamper to eat in any clothing, however comfortable. You can treat mum to a night on the couch eating ready dishes like barramundi and crab cottage pie with butter crispy pastry or kingfish crudo, with Antoine’s traditional French chocolate mousse. The $150 take-home package serves two, or you can book a table overlooking Blackwattle Bay for a Mother’s Day three-course lunch. Check out what’s on offer here.
Lotus
BARANGAROO
If you're thinking mum truly deserves a banquet this Mother’s Day, then make sure you head to Barangaroo. Fulfilling all your Chinese night market dining dreams, Lotus Barangaroo is putting on a massive banquet ($89pp) featuring dishes like lobster and prawn shumai with flying fish roe, Malaysian chicken curry spring rolls, prawn wontons with roast chilli and soy, or kung pow chicken. You can also add kids under 12 to the banquet for $25pp. Make sure you book in here and see other Lotus Dining Group venue offerings for Mother’s Day, including Walsh Bay, Double Bay, and Darlinghurst.
i Maccheroni
WOOLLAHRA
Is it wrong to show love and appreciation in the form of bottomless drinks at lunch? If not, then grab a glass and listen carefully to this recommendation. Woollahra’s i Maccheroni is helping you booze up mum’s Sunday lunch by offering a three-course lunch with bottomless drinks ($129pp). We’re talking oysters, arancini, tagliolini, lamb shoulder, and tiramisu, alongside bottomless Italian sparkling and Aperol Spritz. Make sure you book in here and choose a sitting between 12 – 3pm.
Welcome Merchant X Mums 4 Refugees Morning Tea
SURRY HILLS
Champagne and all the trimmings might not be entirely up-your-alley. If you’d rather put your money elsewhere, this Mother’s Day event celebrating motherhood around the globe hosted by Welcome Merchant and Mums 4 Refugees might be more your cup of tea. On May 15, the morning tea includes Syrian and Venezuelan delights, catered by refugee-owned businesses Racha’s Syrian Kitchen and Margarita’s Cakes. The Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre will also be home to entrepreneurial stalls from Women’s Creative Hub and Billiano Designs, with an auction taking place on the day. Tickets are $55pp + booking fee, with all proceeds going to the chefs and Mums 4 Refugees, who provide emergency housing and support to families from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds. Make sure you book a ticket here.
The Squire’s Landing
THE ROCKS
If there’s nothing quite like a meal with a view, then surely there’s nothing like lunch with a front-row view of Sydney’s glorious harbour and the stunning Sydney Opera House. Spectacular views aside, you can treat mum to a two-course lunch ($69pp) at The Squire’s Landing. Choose from entrees and mains like smoked duck breast with pumpkin puree, pan-fried barramundi with spiced coconut sauce or wood-fired Riverine rib eye with confit carrots, black garlic, and cabernet jus. Alongside the usual James Squire tap lineup, you can also grab a glass of Chandon rosé for just $10. Book yourself in right here.
Quick Brown Fox Eatery
PYRMONT
It’s not quite breakfast, and it’s not quite lunch, but no menu brings more smiles or allows more flexibility than the mighty brunch. With free mimosas for mums on arrival at Quick Brown Fox, you can opt for the a la carte menu that’s sure to include all your brunch favourites—from a twist on eggs benedict with chilli fried eggs to QBF's now-iconic banoffee waffles with mascarpone cream, bananas, caramel, chocolate ganache, biscuit crumbs and golden syrup ice cream. But let’s be honest, what’s a Mother’s Day brunch outing without a few drinks. You can add a bottomless mimosa package for $30pp or bottomless Aperol Spritz, Bloody Marys, or Espresso Martinis for $40pp. Make a booking here.
For more ways to spoil mum, check out Sydney's best high teas and Sydney's most charming florists and flower delivery.
Image credit: The Squire's Landing, Steven Woodburn, Wildlife Retreat at Taronga, Alana Dimou, Leigh Griffiths, The Squire's Landing, Quick Brown Fox