Best cafes in Lane Cove

Best cafes in Lane Cove, ranked

1. #1Lil Lane Eatery for a brunch plate with Korean flavours

   $$🐕 Dogs outsideOutdoor seating🌳 Cox's Lane Playground, 5 min walk

   Lil Lane Eatery is the top pick for a brunch that goes past eggs on toast. Order the crispy potato dish, the kimchi fritter or the haloumi wrap, and pair it with a coffee from the counter. It opens at 7am on most days and closes at 2pm. Cox's Lane Playground is five minutes on foot, so families can sit at the footpath tables before or after the swings. Mixed groups find it easy to order here, with a kids menu and vegetarian dishes.

2. #2Story for matcha and a pastry to eat outside

   $Outdoor seating🌳 Cox's Lane Playground, 3 min walk

   Story is the pick for a coffee you can take outside. Matcha is the drink to try, and coffee drinkers say it tastes smooth rather than harsh. Pair it with the mixed berry danish, which has custard underneath. The cafe opens at 6:30am on weekdays, so it suits a coffee before work. The playground is three minutes away on foot, so it also works as a stop on the way to the park.

3. #3KIN Cafe and Wine Bar for a long lunch with a wine list

   $$🐕 Dogs outsideOutdoor seating🌳 Cox's Lane Playground, 3 min walk

   KIN Cafe and Wine Bar suits a long lunch on a Saturday or Sunday. Diners name the crab fettuccine with chilli and the crispy barramundi with risotto as the dishes to order. Coffee drinkers describe the coffee as smooth, and the staff will adjust the strength if asked. The wine bar side makes it a good choice for a catch-up that runs past lunch. Dogs can sit at the outdoor tables, and the playground is three minutes on foot.

4. #4Birdwood Cafe for a family breakfast before the park

   $$🐕 Dogs outsideOutdoor seating🌳 Cox's Lane Playground, 3 min walk

   Birdwood Cafe suits an early family breakfast, trading from 6am daily. Order the bacon and egg roll or the avocado dish, and add a milkshake for the kids. The seats by the open windows and the footpath tables both get used. The playground is three minutes away on foot, so the stop fits before or after the swings. Dogs can sit outside with their owners while the rest of the group eats.

5. #5Unwined for a large coffee and a toastie before noon

   $🐕 Dogs outsideOutdoor seating🌳 Cox's Lane Playground, 3 min walk

   Unwined is the place for a big coffee. It serves a 510 mL cup, which is rare in the village, and regulars order the flat white and the iced lattes. The ham, cheese and tomato toastie is the food to order, with the tradie roll as the second choice. It closes at 12pm, so this is a morning stop only. Gluten-free bread is available for eggs on toast, and the nearest park is a short stroll.

6. #6Two Brothers Cafe for a slow sit-down breakfast

   $$🐕 Dogs outsideOutdoor seating🌳 Cox's Lane Playground, 4 min walk

   Two Brothers Cafe is the pick for a breakfast you can take your time over. It opens at 6am every day and serves until 4:30pm. The pancakes with banana and cream and the fried-egg burger on a roll come out generously plated. Shakes and smoothies sell well when it is warm. Staff are attentive with prams and older diners, and the quiet indoor room has table service. Walking time to the playground is four minutes.

7. #7Bakers Delight Lane Cove for fresh bread and a cheesymite scroll

   $🌳 Cox's Lane Playground, 4 min walk

   Bakers Delight Lane Cove is the stop for bread to take home or a snack to eat on the way. The cheesymite scroll is the order most people in the queue make, and a six-pack of Fun Buns suits an office morning tea. The wall of loaves covers white, wholemeal, multigrain and sourdough-style bread. It opens at 7am and stays open until 7pm on weekdays. A bag of rolls fits a picnic at the park, which is four minutes away.

8. #8The Junction Coffee Co for a cooked breakfast before 3pm

   $🐕 Dogs outsideOutdoor seating🌳 Cox's Lane Playground, 4 min walk

   The Junction Coffee Co is the pick for a cooked breakfast with vegan and vegetarian options. Order the eggs Benedict with salmon or the smashed avocado with dukkah and goat's feta. Chai with soy milk and honey is the house favourite for anyone who wants something other than coffee. Dogs are welcome at its alfresco tables. The cafe is open from 7am on weekdays until 3pm, and the playground is a short walk from the Plaza.

Compare best cafes in Lane Cove

The table lines up price, brunch, outdoor seats, dog access and weekend trading, plus each cafe's nearest park.

How we picked best cafes in Lane Cove

Cafes are ordered by overall quality, with more weight given to places that many diners have opinions on. Brunch on the menu, weekend trading, dog access and outdoor seats were each checked for every cafe. Each cafe's page on food and coffee helped set the running order.