Small Batch, Big Flavour

At Dad and the Frog Café, coffee isn’t just part of the menu — it’s part of our identity. That’s why we’re excited to now serve coffee from Madding Crowd Coffee Roasters, a Sydney-based small-batch roaster you’ll only find in a select few cafés and coffee shops.

Their signature blend, The Destroyer, is sweet, clean on the palate, and so easy to drink that it’s a little bit dangerous. Because Madding Crowd roasts in smaller quantities, they don’t face the scaling challenges of larger roasters. Every batch is precise, fresh, and full of flavour.

At Dad and the Frog Café, our Crispy Hash Browns aren’t just another side dish. They are the dish. Ask anyone in our community—locals, tourists, brunch lovers—and you’ll likely hear the same thing: “You have to try the hash browns.”

Why? Because we’ve spent years perfecting them. Literally.

Running a café means more than just serving stellar coffee, delicious breakfast, and lazy brunch in a cosy Surry Hills setting. It means managing real human moments—like when someone walks through your doors already having a rough day, or when something doesn’t meet their expectations.

At Dad and the Frog Café, we know that even the best cafes will, from time to time, face complaints. And here’s the truth: while the customer isn’t always right, how you respond is always your responsibility.

When you’ve got a crew to feed—whether it’s workmates, party guests, or brunch-loving besties—Dad and the Frog Café has your back. Our catering service is built with the same love, flavour, and no-fuss attitude that makes us a go-to Surry Hills café for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and of course, coffee.

Now, we’ve taken all the stress out of event catering too. You can order directly from our catering page, and we’ll deliver straight to your door—or heck, we’ll bring it right in and lay it out on your buffet table like it’s our own house party.

There’s a reason we love Surry Hills so much. It’s that sweet spot where city convenience meets neighbourhood charm. You can jump off a train at Central Station, wander five minutes, and suddenly you’re in a pocket of the city that feels more like a village. Boutique shops, tree-lined streets, local dogs living their best lives — and right in the mix, you’ll find Dad and the Frog Café.

Whether you’re headed to a game at Moore Park, strolling from the light rail, or just on your morning coffee mission, we’re perfectly placed. You can sit outside and catch the winter sun in our alfresco laneway, or settle into a cosy indoor corner for something warm and comforting. Either way, you’re getting brunch and coffee done right.

A Day in the Life: What It’s Really Like Running a Surry Hills Cafe

Welcome to Dad and the Frog Café. You might know us for our chilli scrambled eggs or that perfect flat white on your morning walk, but today’s post isn’t about what’s on your plate—it’s about the person behind the pass.

As the owner of this Surry Hills cafe, I’m often told how lucky I am to “just make coffee and chat to customers all day.” I get it—it looks like a dream job. But behind every breakfast service and brunch rush is a whole lot of early mornings, late nights, and hard decisions. So I thought I’d share what actually goes into owning and running one of the best cafes in Surry Hills.