When the sun hits Fitzroy Street, our little corner of Surry Hills wakes up fast. At Dad and the Frog Café, breakfast isn’t rushed—it’s your moment to breathe. Whether you’re grabbing coffee on the way to Moore Park or settling in for a relaxed brunch, we’ve built a local cafe that feels like your spot.

If you’ve ever dreamed of opening a cafe but don’t have a big budget for a fit-out, the good news is that you don’t need deep pockets to get started. At Dad and the Frog Café in Surry Hills, we’ve learned that success doesn’t come from flashy furniture — it comes from focus. With the right approach, you can still create a place people will call their new favourite spot for coffee, breakfast, brunch, and lunch.

Running a café isn’t just about brewing the perfect coffee or serving up a dreamy brunch. It’s about the people behind the counter, the culture that shapes their day, and the consistency that makes every guest feel at home. At Dad and the Frog Café in Surry Hills, we’ve learned that when you start scaling a café, the biggest challenge isn’t your menu it’s your people.

Parenting is hard enough, sleepless nights, unpredictable routines, and the constant juggle of adjusting to your infant’s ever-changing body clock. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is stop, reset, and give yourself a moment to breathe. That’s where we come in.

Spring in Surry Hills means warmer days, longer afternoons, and a whole lot more colour on our plates. At Dad and the Frog Café, we’ve rolled out our new spring/summer menu, packed with fresh flavours and vibrant ingredients. Whether you’re here for breakfast, brunch, or lunch, our dishes are designed to be light, nourishing, and full of seasonal produce, perfect for those sunny days in our alfresco dining area.

We’re looking forward to the warm spring weather that makes a coffee taste even better. With the sunny forecast ahead, Dad and the Frog Café is ready to welcome you to our outdoor dining space one of Surry Hills’ favourite spots for relaxed breakfasts, brunch dates, or lingering lunches.

Our leafy alfresco area, surrounded by plants and covered in natural light, is perfect for everything from a casual meeting to a solo wind-down session. The fresh air, great food, and specialty coffee is exactly what this weather calls for.

Why Doesn’t My Team Work As Hard As Me?

Spoiler: They Might — They Just Need Better Tools

When I first opened Dad and the Frog Café, I wore every hat — chef, barista, dishwasher, people pleaser. It felt like I was carrying the whole business on my back. I remember standing behind the coffee machine thinking, why doesn’t anyone else hustle like I do?

Eventually, I realised it wasn’t about motivation — it was about clarity.

At Dad and the Frog Café, we’ve always believed in celebrating the little things—great food, better coffee, and time well spent. And now, we’re adding one more reason to make the most of your day: Happy Hour is coming soon.

What’s the Deal?

Every day, from 11am to 12pm, you’ll be able to enjoy:

• $13 cocktails

• $8 house beer or wine
  ...with the purchase of any signature dish or big side.

This isn’t just any promo—it’s your midday permission slip to indulge, reset, or celebrate the everyday in style.

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.

If you're anything like us, the first thing you crave once the skies clear is a proper coffee and a fresh dose of sunshine. At Dad and the Frog Café, our sunny laneway is the perfect spot to thaw out, dry off, and reconnect.

After the downpour, locals head our way not just for the weather—but for the vibe. Whether it’s a weekday breakfast, lazy brunch with a friend, or a mimosa-fuelled lunch, we’ve got you sorted.

Running a café is more than great coffee and tasty brunch—it’s people, systems, and knowing when to pause and reassess. At Dad and the Frog, we’re in that in-between phase that a lot of small, scaling businesses hit:

• The seats are filling.

• The coffee orders are flowing.

• But behind the scenes, we’re stretched.

We’re not quite big enough to hire a whole new team member, but we’re too busy for business-as-usual. So how do we manage it?

There’s something about brunch that deserves a little celebration. And nothing says "treat yourself" quite like a mimosa. At Dad and the Frog Café, we’re making the case for why a crisp, citrusy mimosa belongs in your weekend routine.

Spoiler: it’s not just the bubbles.