There’s something quietly magical about Surry Hills in winter. The air is crisp, the sun hangs low, and the streets are bathed in long golden shadows. Leafy trees sway over converted warehouses and hidden laneways, each corner begging to be photographed. And through it all, the aroma of specialty coffee and sizzling brunches draws you into the warm heart of Surry Hills café culture.

At Dad and the Frog Café, we’ve always believed in serving up more than just incredible coffee and crave-worthy brunch. We’re your local go-to café in Surry Hills for a warm welcome, fresh ideas, and delicious food made with care. And now, we’re adding a little extra sparkle to your mid-morning: a daily happy hour from 11am to 12pm – starting this winter and getting you warmed up for the summer ahead.

At Dad and the Frog Café, building a strong team means more than filling shifts. We look for team members with potential—not just to do the job, but to lead with care, purpose, and initiative.

From our FOH manager to our kitchen team, we foster leadership qualities across all roles. Yes, there’s a hierarchy in place—myself as the owner, then our department leads, followed by their respective teams—but what drives our culture is shared responsibility and empowerment.

When we first opened the doors to Dad and the Frog Café, it was just a tiny 12 seat space serving locals their morning coffee and a quick bite. We kept prices low, thinking it would give people the “best deal.” But here’s the truth, it left us with little room to grow or improve.

Eventually, we asked ourselves: What does it actually mean to be the best cafe in Surry Hills? The answer wasn’t about being the cheapest, it was about giving our guests an experience they’d want to return to.

When it comes to office catering, we know the brief: make it easy, make it delicious, and make sure everyone’s happy. That’s why we’ve created a catering menu that brings all the best parts of our Surry Hills café straight to your team—ready to unwrap and enjoy, no fuss required.

Whether you’re planning a morning meeting, a team celebration, or need an impressive spread for clients, we’ve got the boxes to tick every box.

If you're looking for the ultimate inner-city suburb to spend a day with the family, Surry Hills ticks all the boxes. Think tree-lined streets, heritage terraces, converted warehouses, indie galleries, weekend markets, and more dog walkers than you can count. And in the middle of it all? A local gem of a cafe—Dad and the Frog—that’s designed to keep everyone fuelled and happy.

Make the most of your family time with coffee, comfort food and a stroll to the playground

School holidays in Sydney can be a mix of magic and mayhem—especially if you’re juggling family time and your sanity. If you’re looking for a relaxed outing in Surry Hills, we’ve got a little local secret to share: start your morning with a stroll to Moore Park Playground, let the kids burn some energy, then swing past Dad and the Frog Café to refuel.

We’re a Surry Hills café that gets it—parents need a moment, kids want something delicious, and everyone deserves a good feed.

It’s school holidays in NSW — and weekends at Dad and the Frog Café are buzzing. If you’re planning a brunch date, a family lunch, or a coffee catch-up, we’re ready for you. Book ahead online to skip the wait, or walk in and enjoy the flow — our team will seat you as soon as a table’s free. Wait times for groups of 4 or less are usually 5–15 mins; for bigger groups, 10–20 mins. Book now or call 0422809025.

When people think of catering, especially for offices or events, the expectations are often… well, underwhelming. Cold, soggy sandwiches. Uninspired fillings. A sea of beige. But at Dad and the Frog Café, we’ve flipped the script. Our catering menu is built with the same philosophy that drives our café every day—quality, flavour, and something for everyone.

If you run a cafe, you know the feeling — dark skies, rain buckets down, and foot traffic slows to a crawl. As the owner of Dad and the Frog Cafe, a Surry Hills cafe that's seen everything from sunshine rushes to stormy slumps, I get it. Wet weather can mess with your momentum. But here’s something I’ve learned over the years: you can’t change the forecast — but you can choose how your team responds.

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.

We get it—winter in Sydney can feel a little drab, especially when the rain rolls in like it’s set up camp for the week. But here at Dad and the Frog Café, we’re keeping things cozy, warm, and delicious—rain or shine.

This week, we’re expecting a few rainy days, but we’re ready for it. Our team’s prepped to serve up your favourite coffee, breakfast, or brunch with a smile—indoors or under cover. But come 10am on a sunny day, our Farnell Street laneway turns into pure magic. That golden winter light slices through just right, warming up our outdoor seating and turning brunch into a sun-drenched ritual.

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 special about finding a café where everything just clicks—the coffee is rich, the food hits the spot, the vibe feels effortless, and the service actually makes you feel seen. At Dad and the Frog Café, we’ve made that our mission.

As a licensed café in Surry Hills with a sun-drenched outdoor dining area, we’ve created a space where locals, visitors, and four-legged friends can kick back with a specialty coffee, a chilled mimosa, or a hearty brunch that doesn’t skimp on quality. Whether you're here for a long lunch, a quiet solo coffee, or a celebration with mates, there's always something on the menu (and behind the bar) worth coming back for

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.

If you've ever searched for a café in Surry Hills that goes above and beyond—whether you're after a perfect cup of coffee, a vibrant brunch, or reliable catering that actually pleases everyone—then you’ve likely already crossed paths with us at Dad and the Frog Café.

We’ve built our name on consistently great food, smooth service, and genuine connections. And now, our breakfast and lunch catering is quickly becoming the go-to option for local businesses, events, and office meetings in and around Surry Hills.

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.

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.

There’s something special about winter in Surry Hills. The crisp air, golden morning light, and the smell of fresh coffee drifting down Fitzroy Street. It’s the season where cafe culture really shines, and here at Dad and the Frog, we live for it.

If you’re looking for the kind of cafe that makes you want to linger a little longer, order that second coffee, and soak up the vibe—this is it.