Sydney Eat Street: Five places to eat on Mother’s Day in Sydney

Mother’s Day is almost 120 years old and is going stronger than ever -- just like mum. Here are five options for family, fun, food and quality time that will make your mum feel like a queen for the day.

Botanic House’s menu selection has something for everyone. Picture: Supplied

Mother’s Day came to life in the early 20th century in the United States, created by Anna Jarvis to honour the sacrifices mothers made for their children. Jarvis’s campaign to recognise mum’s on a specific day began after her own mother’s death in 1905.

Fast forward almost 120 years and Mother’s Day is now firmly entrenched as a celebration filled with family, food and fun.

Da Orazio Pasticceria

Da Orazio Pasticceria’s Mother's Day cake with pistachio Cassatella di sant'Agata. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski

Since arriving in Australia nearly 20 years ago, Orazio D’Elia has made his mark on Sydney’s Italian dining scene with restaurants including Double Bay’s Matteo and Bondi’s Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta, but it wasn’t till a couple of years ago that he finally realised his sweetest of dream. Orazio says, “When I came to Australia, I always thought that a good Italian pasticceria would fit nicely amongst Sydney-siders”. He was spot-on and now offers a wide range of classic and contemporary Italian desserts. Swing by their Alexandria location, a cafe and pristine production facility for a selection of sweet and savoury bites – including the Italian cornetto, a horn-shaped croissant, and what is sure to become a fan favourite, Tetta Della Monaca, a super-spongey orb with a rich and creamy filling. They’ve prepared a delicate pistachio and passionfruit sponge cake topped with colourful flower petals and shimmering chocolate butterflies for Mother’s Day. Pre-order for pick-up in Alexandria or Bondi, or for a bit of added flare, book into Da Orazio in Bondi, and they’ll bring it straight to the table. 

Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta, The Hub, Boheme, 75/79 Hall St, Bondi Beach; Da Orazio Cafe and Bakery, 200 Euston Rd, Alexandria; Daorazio.com.au 

Four Seasons’ Grain Bar and MODE Kitchen

Grain Bar’s Heart of the Garden cocktail. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski

Treat mum to dinner and a show on Mother’s Day; it doesn’t have to be a stage production, but a theatrically presented drink inspired by a love of family -- the Heart of the Garden cocktail. It’s delivered in a smoke-filled bell jar, and when the glass dome is taken off, the fog clears to reveal a minimalistic-looking cocktail topped with a small ruby-red heart-shaped piece of ice. Grain Bar mixologist Pablo Rubio says his childhood friends and neighbours inspired the drink’s Japanese spirits and flavours. For dinner, move to MODE Kitchen, where Italian chef Francesco Mannelli has prepared a special pumpkin risotto, a dish reminiscent of the comforting foods his mother would make during the colder months. He’s added drops of 100-year-old balsamic for a touch of decadence. Finish off the meal with a pale pink Saint Honoré, made with fresh strawberries and basil, vanilla creme patisserie, berry Chantilly, and caramelised choux. And for the grand finale, mums booked in for the Mother’s Day lunch or dinner will receive a vibrant Camilla Australia coin purse.

199 George St; grainbar.com.au; modekitchenandbar.com.au

The Fullerton High Tea

The Fullerton’s Afternoon Tea at home. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski

Mention High Tea, and the images that come to mind are probably of sophisticated sitting rooms interspersed with white-linen-covered tables and elegant tiered stands with sweet and savoury bites. That’s a far cry from the original version popularised by the British working class of the mid-19th century as a light meal served on high tables. Fortunately, The Fullerton, a luxurious Sydney hotel in the heritage-listed former General Post Office, embraces the glamorous version known for their bite-sized seasonally-inspired desserts, sandwiches, scones and more. The Autumn menu focuses on citrus and seasonal berries for Mother’s Day. Take a seat in their regally appointed bar, or for a more adventurous option, venture outside with the Fullerton Afternoon Tea Picnic Experience – a clever takeaway stand with a full high-tea menu plus a bottle of wine, a picnic, and glassware. (From $190 for two people). There’s also the option to add a charcuterie mix or cheese platter for an additional cost.

Lobby Level, 1 Martin Pl, Sydney; fullertonhotels.com/Fullerton-Hotel-Sydney

Botanic House and Terrace on The Domain

Botanic House’s menu selection has something for everyone. Picture: Supplied

Sure, Mum will love going out to lunch, but she’ll really cherish a whole day’s excursion to Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Stroll along the Harbour seawall, or book in for the Australian Bush Tucker tour. Follow that up with lunch or dinner at Botanic House, a sun drenched restaurant set amidst the Garden’s lush greenery for an Asian-inspired three- course shared feast crafted by renowned chef Luke Nguyen. (Lunch from $135pp, dinner from $155, and $45 per child. Glass of Champagne on arrival). For an art-loving mum, venture just beyond the ornate Garden gates to Art Gallery New South Wales, a two-building gallery with classical and contemporary artworks, exhibitions, and a sculpture garden. Pop across the street to Terrace on The Domain. Enjoy a three-course share feast for lunch under a canopy of mature trees for a three-course share feast with a Bellini cocktail on arrival ($130pp). 

- Sydney Royal Botanic Garden, Mrs Macquaries Rd, Sydney, botanichouse.com.au; 1 Art Gallery Rd, Sydney; terraceonthedomain.com.au

Wagashi Workshop

The Wagashi Dessert making class. Picture: Supplied.

Spend quality time with mum and book yourselves into a class or short course, such as a Wagashi workshop led by Bliss Pure Foods’ Kathryn Sunantha, author, nutritionist, and champion of raw food initiatives. Using plant-based ingredients, students will learn how to make Japanese confectionary, particularly Nerikiri, edible works of art created with a sweetened white bean paste and then shaped and sculpted into delicate shapes and colours reflective of the season. Classes run regularly via Class Bento.

Schofields, Sydney; classbento.com.au