It’s that time of year again guys. The time where we get to celebrate the real OG’s, your number one BFF and the woman you can count on to always be in your corner. That’s right, this Sunday it’s Mother’s Day. Naturally there’s A LOT going on in Sydney and there are so many things to choose from, it’s almost overwhelming. Never fear though, we’ve done all the hard yards and curated this list to let you know exactly what you should be up to this Sunday.
Oh and don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about the rest of the weekend either—there are some fun things to keep you occupied if you scroll all the way to the bottom of this beauty.
Brunch & Lunch at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
Treat Mum to fresh seafood and stunning harbour views this Mother’s Day at Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel. Skip the whole breakfast in bed thing this year and instead, indulge in a three-course brunch featuring beetroot cured salmon, lip-smackingly good buttermilk waffles or artesian eggs benedict. Alternatively, if you’re Mum is a late riser, you can join them for a three-course lunch extravaganza (it’s just as good). Don’t forget to make a reservation here.
When: Sunday 13 May 9.30am – 2pm Where: Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel Cost: Brunch $70, Lunch $95
High Tea @ Coogee Bay Hotel
Because what mother doesn’t love a high tea buffet? This Sunday, head over to the Coogee Bay Hotel and indulge in a decadent array of sweet and savoury treats. There’ll be an assortment of tea, coffee, and that high tea we mentioned earlier, and if that wasn’t enough, to make matters better your ticket includes a mini massage. Tickets can be purchased here.
When: Sunday 13 May 12pm – 3pm Where: Coogee Bay Hotel Cost: From $49 pp
High Tea & Lunch @ NOLA Smokehouse & Bar
This weekend head down to Barangaroo and treat mum to the NOLA high tea. Served in their French Quarter, you’ll find everything from lobster rolls to scones with bourbon and peach marmalade on the menu. There’s even a smoked chocolate, pecan and Southern Comfort tart which sounds delishhhh. Then, to top it all off, you’ll get bottomless fresh lemonade or iced tea, as well as the good old tea and coffee too. If high tea isn’t really your mum’s style they’re also serving a three-course share menu with dishes like mac ‘n’ cheese with maple bacon and pretzels, southern fried chicken and s’mores. Do we need to say more? You can book your table here.
When: Sunday 13 May, 11:30am – 3:30pm Where: NOLA Smokehouse & Bar, Barangaroo Cost: High Tea from $60pp or Set Menu from $85pp
Salt Meats Cheese
If your mum loves Italian, look no further, because this Mother’s day Salt Meats Cheese is treating the whole fam to a delish lunch or dinner. You’ll score antipasti to share, a prosecco on arrival and a Nutella Calzone for dessert, plus the choice between pizza or a main in between. If you want something a bit lighter, they are also serving a brunch menu at their Drummoyne store which will offer a range of pastries and cakes and either a coffee, tea or prosecco.
When: Sunday 13 May – Time varies depending upon store Where: Various Salt Meets Cheese Cost: Brunch $25pp, Lunch & Dinner $45pp
Mother’s Day @ The Tilbury
Spoil Mum this Mother’s Day with a specially curated à la carte menu at The Tilbury. Showcasing fresh and seasonal dishes from local producers combined with beautiful views of Woolloomooloo, you’ll be able to show Mum just how much she means. And because it is her special day, each Mum will receive a complimentary Tanqueray No. 10. What a bonus! Head on here to reserve a table http://tilburyhotel.com.au/restaurant/
When: Sunday 13 May, From 12pm Where: TheTilbury, Woolloomooloo Cost: Varies
Sunday Feast @ Salisbury Hotel
Sometimes it’s better to keep things simple and this Mother’s Day, The Salisbury Hotel has done just that. Fit for two, their Sunday Feast will see you sharing a seafood paella and succulent marinated pork belly served with crackling (because that’s obvi the best part). And because no feast is complete without drinks, you get a choice between two schooners of beer or a bottle of house wine or sparkling. This event is also family friendly, with entertainment for the kids between 1pm and 3pm including a balloon maker and an arts and craft table. For more deets head over here.
When: Sunday 13 May, from 10am Where: Salisbury Hotel, Stanmore Cost: $50 for two people
The Kyle Bay
If you’re heading south this Sunday, you’ll want to treat mum at The Kyle Bay, where the food is Mediterranean and the view is beaut (over the water, of course). You’ll be enjoying a ten-course set menu at JAAKS Restaurant and we recommend you order wine too, because you’re mum’s worth it, okay.
When: Sunday 13 May, Lunch & Dinner Where: JAAKS Restaurant, The Kyle Bay Cost: $85 adults, $40 children
The Pantry Manly
If you want to ditch all of the stress this Mother’s Day, then it’s off to The Pantry in Manly for you (and mum). You’ll be all over the three-course menu here because it’s all about seafood, paddock to plate produce and (you guessed it) dessert too. Sold? We thought so.
When: Sunday 13 May Where: The Pantry Cost: $90 three-course set menu
Mother’s Day @ Mode Kitchen & Bar
Indulge mum in the finest Australian produce this Sunday at Mode Kitchen and Bar. With a specially curated three-course meal by Head Chef Francesco Mannelli, you’ll be wining and dining on things like milk-fed veal tartare, Yamba king prawns and Mode Kitchen and Bar’s famous ricotta cheesecake. Plus, one lucky mum will walk away with an incredible prize pack including one night at the Four Seasons Hotel, an Appelles premium skincare pack and The Daily Edited pouch and travel wallet. To book your spot, head here.
When: Sunday 13 May, 12 – 3pm Where: Mode Kitchen & Bar Cost: $95
Bottomless Rosé @ Nomad
That got your attention, didn’t it? This Mother’s Day, Nomad is serving up their delicious set menu feasts for $69 or $95 per person (and their usual a la carte dinner) plus a menu for the kids for only $20. From 11am, they’ll also be slinging bottomless rosé for an extra $50. One non-negotiable: order double hummus.
When: Sunday 13 May Where: Nomad, Surry Hills Cost: Varies
Mother’s Day @ William Inglis Hotel
Boasting a paddock-to-plate menu, The William Inglis Hotel is throwing a super-relaxing three-course set menu this Mother’s Day. Focusing on robust food with a rural soul, each mum will receive a glass of champagne to celebrate and we recommend you spring for a night’s accommodation at the hotel too (it’s one of our most recent faves). With a kid-friendly menu that features all the classics, you won’t even have to worry about the fussy little ones. If you want to scope out the menu head here.
When: Sunday 13 May Where: William Inglis Hotel Cost: $70 for adults, $20 for kids
Lunch @ Q Dining
You might have to crack open the piggybank for this one but we promise it’ll be worth it. Located on the waterfront overlooking Circular Quay, this Sunday you can enjoy a three-course meal featuring dishes like Fraser Island spanner crab, pepper crusted lamb rump and a chocolate fondant that is every single one of your chocolate-related dreams come true. Plus, mum gets a free glass of Veuve Champagne and a gift bag from Sephora (which you may or may not steal #nojudgement). To reserve a spot, check out their website.
When: Sunday 13 May 12pm -2:30pm Where: Q Dining Cost: $119 pp
Endeavour Tap Rooms
There’s no need to plan Mother’s Day this year, Sydney, because this year the Endeavour Tap Rooms has done all the hard work for you. Providing you with an itinerary that showcases all of The Rocks’ best bits, you can play tourist in your own city for the day and we suggest you bring mum (because Mother’s Day). The day will finish up with lunch at their restaurant and to top it all off, your mum will also receive a complimentary jam, created by the. The recipe is on a need to know basis but we’ve heard it involves GH Mumm champagne and that ’s basically all we needed to know anyway. To check out the itinerary head over here.
When: Sunday 13 May, 11am Where: Endeavour Tap Rooms Cost: Varies
Shark Dive Xtreme
Struggling to find a unique Mother’s Day gift? Are you reverting back to the classic candle, tea or pyjama set? Don’t worry we got your back. Get mum something a bit different this year with the Shark Dive Xtreme at Sealife Sydney. For 2.5 hours, your Mum will get to swim with all manner of local marine life including sea turtles, stingrays and Grey Nurse Sharks that are up to 3m in length! The best part? There’s no diving experience required. To give mum an experience she’ll definitely never forget, buy your ticket here.
When: From Sunday 7 May Where: Sealife Sydney Cost: $299
Mother’s Day High Tea @ The Langham
The annual Mother’s Day high tea is officially on at The Langham and honestly, we can’t think of a better excuse to sip champagne and eat miniature food in the middle of the day. As you’d expect from The Langham, this one is almost too beautiful with a tiered cake stand stacked with every snack-sized treat you want. Plus, the package includes a one-hour Babor spa facial or aromatherapy massage at The Day Spa—the choice is yours.
Where: The Langham, Sydney Cost: $449 (for two on weekdays) or $464 (for two on weekends)
Other Things Happening This Weekend In Sydney
YouFoodz It Takes Ballz
Who’s ready to eat balls for cancer? (There’s a perfectly ordinary English sentence.) Online food company YouFoodz is partnering up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and the National Breast Cancer Foundation to try and sell 1 million of their protein balls. $1 from each one goes straight to fighting cancer, so dig deep. You can grab the balls from YouFoodz stockists or from their online store. Apparently, 500,000 balls equals 6,500 hours of medical research. Life’s fun when you measure it in balls. For more info, click here.
Where: You can grab the balls online When: Right now
SoCal Chilli Eating Contest
Are you that person that religiously adds chilli to every meal? Or laughs as their friend downs the entire jug of water because the food was too spicy? Then come down to SoCal this Thursday and prove that you really are the King/Queen of spice at their annual chilli eating contest. Participants will go through eight or more rounds, with chillies getting progressively hotter until it eventually becomes too much. It’s sure to be lots of fun—even if you just sit and watch the faces people pull as they try to prove it’s not that hot.
When: Thursday 10 May 6pm – 11pm Where: SoCal Cost: Free Entry
An Evening With Hillary Rodham Clinton
Roll out the red carpet and bring out the fancy dress because the day has finally arrived. Hillary Clinton is coming down under! The Former Secretary of State and first female presidential nominee will be speaking this Friday at the ICC in Darling Harbour, sharing her journey of how she overcame adversity and smashed the hell out of that glass ceiling numerous times. To say we are excited is an understatement—book your tickets now here.
When: Friday 11 May 7:30 pm Where: ICC Cost: From $195
Iranian & Pakistani Eat, Meet and Greet Cooking Class
Be a part of the community this weekend and join The Flavours of Auburn at their Iranian and Pakistani Cooking class. Hosted by House of Welcome, an organisation who supports refugee and asylum seekers, you’ll feel right at home learning to cook in an intimate class of 10. These classes are run by a group of local cooks who will share recipes and stories from their culture as you bond over everybody’s favourite topic—food. To book your place, head on over here.
When: Friday 11 May 6pm – 9pm Where: Auburn Centre for Community Cost: $70
Image credit: Nomad