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The Grounds of the City

4.1
4.1
2607 Reviews
$40 and under
Modern Australian
Top tags:

The Grounds of the City, the second outpost from the team behind The Grounds of Alexandria, is bringing soul back to the CBD with old-school service and charm. Located in the heart of the CBD and bustling with activity, The Grounds of the City is tailor-made for a marvellous time; no matter the occasion. Start your day right as our baristas expertly serve up The Grounds house-roasted espresso and filter coffees, or end it in the best possible way and cosy in with our selection of cocktails and a dinner menu that features something for everyone. You’ll find our coffee sommelier at The Barista’s Bar ready to take you through a tailored coffee experience, and our tea lady roaming the room with a trolley adorned with fresh coffee, our selection of ethically sourced teas and cakes.

Make a reservation

2 people
June 2022
Mon
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7:00 pm
Booked 17 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Cuisines

    Modern Australian, Café

  • Hours of Operation

    Mon, Tue 7:00 am–5:00 pm Wed–Fri 7:00 am–9:30 pm Sat 8:00 am–9:30 pm Sun 8:00 am–5:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (02) 9699 2225

  • Website

    http://thegrounds.com.au/Spaces/the-grounds-of-the-city/

  • Payment Options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress Code

    Smart Casual

  • Executive Chef

    Paul McGrath

  • Catering

    From client meetings to personal celebrations, our drop-off catering menu offers a selection of sweet and savoury options that can be combined to achieve the perfect offering for your occasion. To view our offering and order online, visit our website <a href="https://thegroundscatering.com.au/" target="_blank">here</a>.

  • Location

    500 George St Sydney, AU-NSW 2000

  • Area

    Sydney CBD

  • Cross Street

    Park St, Sydney, AU-NSW 2000

  • Parking Details

    Sydney CBD has a range of privately owned car parks located within walking distance. Two close-by options include the Citigroup Centre Car Park located at 271 Pitt St or the Queen Victoria Building Car Park at 111 York St.

  • Public Transit

    TRAIN - Exit the train at Town Hall Station. The Grounds of the City is located on the right hand side, directly across the road from The Queen Victoria Building. BUS - Arrange a bus route to drop you at Town Hall Station, or the QVB on York St, located within walking distance from The Grounds of the City.

  • Additional

    Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, High Tea, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Popular dishes

What 2,607 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.1
4.1 based on recent ratings
  • 4.1Food
  • 3.9Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 3.8Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

  • Sydney

    Brunch

  • Sydney

    Most Booked

  • Sydney City

    Lunch

  • Sydney City

    Most Booked

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Filters

  1. CG

    CrystalG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food was beautiful. Service impecible but my favourite was the iced coffee

  2. a

    andreww

    Gold Coast

    4 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall3food3service3ambience5

    Bit underwhelming unfortunately. Place looks and feels amazing but they kinda drop the ball after that. Food was well over priced for what you get. Went twice as thought the first time I ordered badly but both times I paid $22-25 and left hungry. Ordered the peach pancakes second time visiting and there wasn’t even peach on them. When questioned I was told there no longer served with peach…. First time I order the corn fritters. Received one egg, one corn fritter, some condiments and bacon for $25…. Tasted great but was the size of half a meal to be honest. Coffee was faultless both visit and the vibe is great. Hopefully 3rd time is the lucky one!!!

  3. JO

    JennyO

    Sydney

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Great restaurant with tasty menu, central location and cosy ambience.

  4. JB

    JudithB

    Sydney

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Good restaurant Good service and ambience very pleasant Convenient location opposite QVB building and Town Hall station Big problem if you are spending a couple of hours like we did The toilets are too far away Two levels below in the underground

  5. HI

    HIrot

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall1food3service1ambience4

    I don’t recall if we received any customer service. Asked for some water a couple times but turned out no water service until we left the venue. Asked for our bills but asked to go back to table ,waiting for a while no sign of assisting us with payment. Asked once again but didn’t come to our table for another 5-10mins. Positive part was good food but feel sorry for chefs as with this service it doesn’t matter the how good food is, just not positive experience at all.

  6. AN

    AndrewN

    Sydney

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The Grounds is the perfect place to meet in a group of 4, as you can get nice booth seats. The food is fresh and excellent, we all had salads and one had linguine - all delicious. The coffee is always worth the visit anytime and one had the hot chocolate which looked amazing. We will be back

  7. GH

    GeorgiaH

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Lovely afternoon lunch with friends. Cosy environment perfect for a winter Sunday

  8. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Sydney

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I always love the vibe 😊 and the food

  9. MS

    MariaS

    Bath

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food4service4ambience5

    A great little French bistro feel. Good food and service in these post Covid times can be in attentive but the team were very good

  10. MH

    MarilouH

    Sydney

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 16 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Very enjoyable. Good food, great cocktails and surprisingly good service. Will be back.

  11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 15 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Very welcoming atmosphere. Experienced staff and all the meals were very tasty!

  12. MJ

    MichelleJ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 15 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great atmosphere, a good time was enjoyed by all.

  13. ST

    SophieT

    New York Area

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 15 June 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Great for a quick bite at the bar before a concert.

  14. LL

    LynL

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 14 June 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Good food &amp; coffee, not really hot enough but tasted delicious. Staff were good, quick service

  15. A

    Amanda

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 13 June 2022

    overall1food1service2ambience3

    I paid almost $50 for a steak that was tough even when I said medium-rare, that was not seasoned and the salad literally looked like it was lettuce grabbed from the dumpster from the ratatouille movie and dumped onto my plate. It was the most saddest salad I’ve ever seen in my life. Chips were soggy, and no seasoning. I had to ask for tomato sauce which made it look like a 25 year old was eating a kids meal. Paid $120 overall for the most saddest and flavourless food. Penrith maccas is better than this. As one motto of school is, “do better”

  16. R

    Roey

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 13 June 2022

    overall1food4service1ambience4

    EFTPOS terminals were all down when my partner and I went. We were told to wait at our table. It took 15 minutes for staff to realise we were still waiting to pay after this. They then tried to charge me the Public Holiday surcharge twice. Would not recommend.

  17. PK

    PrueK

    New South Wales

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on 12 June 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Good, but disappointed as breakfast was not as good as last time. Sour dough was too hard to bite and very dry on everyone's breakfast, the Bacon Chop was a small serving, bacon was over cooked on the Eggs and Bacon, the spout on the pot of Tea was blocked with gunk? even though there was a strainer in the Tea Pot, had to remind wait staff for my order of juice. Staff were friendly and helpful.

  18. JR

    JulianneR

    Hawaii

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 12 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    What a great place it was full of old world charm &amp; had a lovely ambience. Wonderful food &amp; coffee !!!

  19. MT

    MarkT

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 11 June 2022

    overall4food3service3ambience5

    Ordered a hamburger and was then told that there were no hamburger buns and was served on brioche bread instead, not great especially being a Saturday night.

  20. LG

    LeoG

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 11 June 2022

    overall1food1service3ambience3

    Expensive and poorly executed food , abysmal burger, worst than chains

  21. TM

    TaylahM

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 10 June 2022

    overall2food1service2ambience4

    The menu at the grounds of Alexandria is much better. We weren’t even allowed to have a simple croissant because that was on the takeaway menu. We had to make our own drink with a tiny half full ‘shot’ of coffee.

  22. J

    Janice

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 10 June 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Should have a choice of not having sour dough for people who arenot able to tolerate it.

  23. PJ

    PurviJ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 10 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Love the atmosphere and vintage vibe. Very friendly staff certainly adds to the experience.

  24. SL

    SummerL

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 9 June 2022

    overall1food2service1ambience2

    One of the waitress has very bad attitude when ordering.

  25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Sydney

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 June 2022

    overall1food1service2ambience3

    The decor and ambience is good. However the lack of bathroom facilities is very poor. I asked about the bathroom and was told to use the facilities on the lower level, or level 1 of the adjoining shopping complex. The lower level was not accessible. On proceeding to the upper level, the signs for the bathroom are so bad I had to ask another restaurant where to go. When i did find them, they were on restricted access after 6:30pm. I returned to the restaurant to ask how I can use the facilities and was told I need a pass card! Getting to the bathroom took over 15 minutes. During that time my food was left on the table and got cold. No-one had the sense to keep the food warm. Having eaten my reheated food, the restaurant went very cold. They had opened the windows during one of the coldest nights in Sydney. We became so cold we had to leave. A very poor experience. Grounds of the City, get your act together!

  26. DP

    DeniseP

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 June 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    Convenient location. Nice French bistro feel. Nice staff

  27. t

    taggstigress

    London

    11 reviews

    2.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on 8 June 2022

    overall2food2service2ambience5

    Ambience was great but there was significant supply issues, We ordered Watermelon margarita? None available Smoothie - not after 5- it was 5;30 Apple juice -no. There was then a conflab between the staff stating what juice was available. My main of roast mahi mahi was so small I ordered a cheese platter which was on the menu but also not available. Left hungry

  28. L

    Lisa

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 June 2022

    overall4food5service3ambience5

    We sat in the smaller front dining room which was lovely and quiet compared to the main restaurant. Unfortunately it did mean the staff checked in on us a little less. Food excellent and priced fairly.

  29. BS

    BSingh

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 June 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience5

    Overpriced for terrible food taste and quantity. Macdonald is way better than this.

  30. CP

    ChrisP

    London

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 8 June 2022

    overall3food1service2ambience2

    Food was very poor. Steak was tough and expensive at $44 and the pasta very tasteless. Second drinks order didn't even arrive.

  31. L

    Lauren

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Friendly staff and timely service. Will recommend

  32. P

    Peggy

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 June 2022

    overall3food4service3ambience3

    Wasn't super impressed with the front of house staff member. He was quite rude and abrupt. Apart from that the waitress was lovely and food was great. It is extremely loud and cramped, so don't expect relaxing.

  33. b

    bree

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 7 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Fantastic food and atmosphere. Friendly staff with great service.

  34. N

    Nat1

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 7 June 2022

    overall2food4service1ambience3

    We went here for lunch, we had a booking and the Que for those that have already booked was closed so we were seated late to our booked table as we had to Que with walk ins. We ordered drinks and they took 20 mins and nobody came back to take our food order. We then went looking for someone to order and it came to our table quite fast. While eating, we ordered another drink and it didn’t arrive. We needed to leave so we asked for the bill and they brought the drinks over then with the bill another 15 mins later. Very low staff and no apology

  35. q

    qwaajymnkl

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 5 June 2022

    overall3food2service1ambience1

    the poor service and the lack of waiters was really a letdown. it took an hour to get our entrees and about 30mins for drinks.s

  36. EP

    EmmaP

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 4 June 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Good food and reasonable prices, I wouldn’t recommend to any vegans. Nice seating

  37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    London

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 4 June 2022

    overall3food3service2ambience4

    Decent food, nice enough restaurant however shooed us off our table despite the restaurant being 50% empty with 5 minutes notice

  38. CM

    CharlotteM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 4 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We had a great time. Atmosphere was lovely, service great and food superb!

  39. TE

    TimothyE

    Sydney

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 3 June 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience4

    Enjoyable and delicious.

  40. SU

    SUZANNEC

    Sydney

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 2 June 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Perfect location on a cold winter’s day. Three of us enjoyed a delicious lunch- the Seafood Pasta, Spatchcock and Lamb Loin followed by unctuous desserts all washed down with a bottle of Rose. Looking forward to returning!

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitising

    • Surfaces sanitised between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitised menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Contactless payment available

  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Contact tracing information collected

FAQs

The Grounds of the City offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (02) 9699 2225.

The Grounds of the City is rated 4.1 stars by 2607 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
June 2022
Mon
Tue
Wed
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Fri
Sat
Sun
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31
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7:00 pm
Booked 17 times today
Google Map for The Grounds of the City

500 George St Sydney, AU-NSW 2000

Additional information

  • Cross Street

    Park St, Sydney, AU-NSW 2000

  • Area

    Sydney CBD

  • Hours of Operation

    Mon, Tue 7:00 am–5:00 pm Wed–Fri 7:00 am–9:30 pm Sat 8:00 am–9:30 pm Sun 8:00 am–5:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Modern Australian, Café

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress Code

    Smart Casual

  • Parking Details

    Sydney CBD has a range of privately owned car parks located within walking distance. Two close-by options include the Citigroup Centre Car Park located at 271 Pitt St or the Queen Victoria Building Car Park at 111 York St.

  • Public Transit

    TRAIN - Exit the train at Town Hall Station. The Grounds of the City is located on the right hand side, directly across the road from The Queen Victoria Building. BUS - Arrange a bus route to drop you at Town Hall Station, or the QVB on York St, located within walking distance from The Grounds of the City.

  • Payment Options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive Chef

    Paul McGrath

  • Additional

    Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, High Tea, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Website

    http://thegrounds.com.au/Spaces/the-grounds-of-the-city/

  • Phone number

    (02) 9699 2225

  • Catering

    From client meetings to personal celebrations, our drop-off catering menu offers a selection of sweet and savoury options that can be combined to achieve the perfect offering for your occasion. To view our offering and order online, visit our website <a href="https://thegroundscatering.com.au/" target="_blank">here</a>.

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