The Grounds of the City

Good place to re cycle

What an amazing place! My husband and I went there in April but we still talk about it, we loved it. Despite the fact that it was very busy the manager and the staff looked after us very well! The gf Passion fruit cheesecake was delicious 😋. My husband had a red velvet cake and it was huge and tasty(he said 😊). We can't wait to go back next time we are in Sydney!

Cosy, funky décor, and the food is fabulous with excellent coffee to match. Not sure if the staff are overly attentive or just a bit too pushy to get you to order, eat and get out? (thus the 4 stars and not 5)

Terrible experience. Tables packed in way to close. Was practically sitting on top of the couple next to us. Zero social distancing. Very uncomfortable and awkward to have a conversation or enjoy the company of my partner. Food was average. Needed a chain saw to cut through my sour dough crust. Ended up eating with my fingers. Would not recommend.

Stopped here for some lunch and it was awesome. The coffee was perfect temperature and the roast is scrumptious. Not only was the burger and chips high quality, but the customer service was “A” grade and very friendly. Offering a bag and cutlery without me asking was very observant of them. Well done!! A 💎.

Good food and ambience in the middle of the city. The advantage of this restaurant is that bookings are allowed. The food that we ordered was nice but nothing special for that price. During our service, one of the mains was forgotten and the waitstaff was nice enough to offer cakes and coffee to make up for the missed order. The cakes actually turned out to be nicer than the savoury food order. We would come again for somewhere convenient and decent food but make sure the waitstaff have put in your order correctly!

My rating is lower due to the online information available at the time of booking. We were looking for a high tea experience in the CBD and The Grounds of the City came up as a google map option. Neither the booking form of Open Table nor the website stated that 24 hours notice was required. Martina listened to our concerns and was very gracious in ensuring that our experience was a great one. Martina, you’re an asset to the company. Thank you!

Had an awesome breakkie with my wife & amazing service. Food is really good too & loved their presentation

“IF CAFÉS WERE BEAUTY QUEENS, THIS ONE WOULD TAKE HOME THE CROWN.” — TIME OUT On the warm pastel background of its homepage, laid this quote. Amidst the other reviews done by thousands of pleased customers who had galvanized their senses, the near 10-year anniversary in 2022 would be a crowning achievement for ‘The Grounds in the City’. For the occasion, we were celebrating my mother's 30th year at her work (a feat in and of itself) and I wanted to treat her to something exciting and unique. We took public transport to Town Hall station and from there, a short, leisurely walk to the galeries (next to the popular QVB). We strolled around the galeries which was directly connected to Town Hall station in an underpass. To get to the grounds was extremely convenient for those catching the train. With our booking at 1:45 pm, we received a notification 15 minutes earlier stating that our table would be received as it was ready for us - this made us even more tantalized as our urgency increased with each step along the galeries. From the beginning of our experience at the grounds, we were greeted with a very warm welcome by Adrianna, the service lady, who acknowledged us immediately. Adrianna even made mention of the special note that I had typed up during the online booking regarding mum's 30 years in the industry - her relatability and inviting personality exceeded our expectations as she proceeded to show us to our own, private booth. For those noise-prone, the grounds provides a clearly distinct chatter that is typical of the grit and energy of city life. This seemingly clamorous sound is quickly alleviated by a tasteful, intended jazz and swing soundtrack that really pulls you further into the unique décor, sparking every corner of this warmly lit environment. The wooden veneer, rustic charm, cutlery and flower-ornamented environment is sure to back up any claims of its beauty and candor. While pictures can provide a hint of its elegance, the embodiment of such charm can only be experienced in person - a surprise that is delightful. We were served and helped by a few waitresses who were all attentive, helpful (for when you need that group photo or food suggestion) and mannered in a way that even a high-class Sydney restaurant prompts. Mirina and Anna were both exceptional in service and were great to deal with. When the food did come, it wasn't shy of being too long nor too short for waiting. Considering the amount of hustle that the restaurant was generating on a Friday work afternoon, the quality, taste and look of the food was above reasonable and well cooked. I had the ‘summer raw bowl’ with seared beef whilst my parents leaned towards 'jack's creek flank steak sandwich' and 'grilled wagyu rump steak', cooked just right and with palatable tenderness. Supported by a ‘clean green’, ‘lemon bitters’ and ‘morning sunshine’ to accomplice the trio of dishes, our lunch was completely satisfied. Once we were full however, an extra surprise came our end as exceptional hospitality reared its beautiful head once again. My mother was presented with a celebratory on-the-house lavishly pieced cake by the lovely Adrianna, our hostess and go-to person for any queries, questions and faq's. We all agreed that this place had outstanding customer service, beyond our expectation. Without a doubt, while the food, ambience and decor were all excellent, it was Adrianna's hands on approach, charm, generosity and down to earth personality which really made our experience shine and memorable - on this note, we hope that she goes far with her work, gets special attention from management and that she continues to excel in her abilities and talents. Thanks to the grounds team at the city once again for making it a delicious and memorable experience for my mother and us: we look forward to another visit at the grounds!

Popped in for a quick dinner before seeing a show at the theater, had a great dinner, food was excellent