Are you paying too much for breakfast? Outrage erupts over shocking cafe prices!
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Is your morning fry-up worth its weight in gold? That’s the question many Aussies are asking after a Sydney cafe’s Big Breakfast price tag sent the internet into a spin.
The humble Big Brekky—once a staple of affordable weekend indulgence—has become the latest battleground in the cost-of-living crisis, and it’s got everyone talking.
The controversy kicked off when a diner at The Roast Office, a quirky little spot tucked away in Manly’s backstreets, posted a snap of the menu online.
The culprit is a $35 Big Breakfast, featuring two eggs, two hash browns, bacon, sausage, avocado, grilled tomato, mushrooms, and toast.
No gold leaf, no caviar—just your classic Aussie fry-up, albeit in a suburb where the median house price is a jaw-dropping $4.5 million.
‘At a pretty low-key cafe in Manly, nothing fancy at all … $35 for a big brekky??’ the poster wrote, echoing the disbelief of many.
The post quickly went viral, with some calling the price 'insane', 'absurd', and 'ridiculous'.
Others, perhaps with a wry smile, dubbed it the 'Manly tax'—a nod to the suburb’s upmarket reputation.
Traditionally, a Big Breakfast at your local cafe would set you back between $25 and $30.
But as anyone who’s been to the supermarket lately knows, food prices are on the rise.
Add in soaring rents, higher wages, and the general squeeze on small businesses, and it’s no wonder cafes are feeling the pinch.
Vince Mollica, owner of The Roast Office, was quick to defend his pricing. ‘Food costs have increased, for example, the free-range eggs we use have risen some $30 per carton and bacon has increased $20 per carton, just to name a few,’ he explained.
‘Rent is constantly increasing, as are wages. So, for $35 for a big breakfast, we consider this good value for the consumer.’
He also pointed out that the dish is often shared between two people, making it $17.50 per head—cheaper, he argues, than many fast food options and certainly a lot healthier.
Plus, there’s no sneaky Sunday surcharge at his cafe, and he claims most of his customers are loyal regulars who appreciate the value and community vibe.
It’s not just The Roast Office feeling the heat. According to a recent CreditorWatch report, nearly one in ten food service businesses closed in the past year, squeezed by rising rents, labour shortages, and the ever-increasing cost of ingredients.
Many cafes are barely scraping by, with profit margins thinner than a slice of streaky bacon.
Some online commenters were quick to sympathise. ‘Most of what you paid goes to rent and labour.
Actual food is probably the least of the cost,’ one pointed out. Another added, ‘This is why spiralling rent is such a bad problem. Little luxuries are so expensive because the shop has to pay the same messed-up rent prices we do.’
Others, however, weren’t so forgiving. ‘$35 for Big Breakfast? F*** that!’ one exclaimed, while another said, ‘You could make that at home for $5. Tell them they’re dreaming.’
It’s a fair question. With the cost of living biting hard, many of us are rethinking our spending habits. Is a cafe breakfast still a treat, or has it become an unaffordable luxury?
The experience—catching up with friends, enjoying a barista-made coffee, soaking up the atmosphere—is worth the extra dollars for some. For others, it’s a hard pass.
And let’s not forget, the price doesn’t even include a coffee! Add a flat white and you’re looking at $40 or more for your morning meal. That’s a lot of smashed avo.
Of course, there’s always the option to whip up your own Big Brekky at home. For a fraction of the price, you can pile your plate high with all your favourites—and maybe even throw in a cheeky extra hash brown or two.
But for those who value the cafe experience, the convenience, and the chance to support local businesses, the higher price might be worth it.
So, are cafes ‘dreaming’ with their prices, or are they simply trying to survive in a tough economic climate? The answer, as always, depends on your perspe
Have you noticed cafe prices creeping up in your area? What’s the most you’d pay for a Big Breakfast? Do you think it’s worth it, or do you prefer to cook at home? Share your thoughts, stories, and best home-cooked brekky tips in the comments below.
Read more: 'I stand with the Aussie cafe owner': Albanese joins global Vegemite debate
The humble Big Brekky—once a staple of affordable weekend indulgence—has become the latest battleground in the cost-of-living crisis, and it’s got everyone talking.
The controversy kicked off when a diner at The Roast Office, a quirky little spot tucked away in Manly’s backstreets, posted a snap of the menu online.
The culprit is a $35 Big Breakfast, featuring two eggs, two hash browns, bacon, sausage, avocado, grilled tomato, mushrooms, and toast.
No gold leaf, no caviar—just your classic Aussie fry-up, albeit in a suburb where the median house price is a jaw-dropping $4.5 million.
A café has drawn outrage after charging $35 for a breakfast meal, with many calling the price unreasonable. Credit: @TheRoastOffice / Instagram
‘At a pretty low-key cafe in Manly, nothing fancy at all … $35 for a big brekky??’ the poster wrote, echoing the disbelief of many.
The post quickly went viral, with some calling the price 'insane', 'absurd', and 'ridiculous'.
Others, perhaps with a wry smile, dubbed it the 'Manly tax'—a nod to the suburb’s upmarket reputation.
Traditionally, a Big Breakfast at your local cafe would set you back between $25 and $30.
But as anyone who’s been to the supermarket lately knows, food prices are on the rise.
Add in soaring rents, higher wages, and the general squeeze on small businesses, and it’s no wonder cafes are feeling the pinch.
Vince Mollica, owner of The Roast Office, was quick to defend his pricing. ‘Food costs have increased, for example, the free-range eggs we use have risen some $30 per carton and bacon has increased $20 per carton, just to name a few,’ he explained.
‘Rent is constantly increasing, as are wages. So, for $35 for a big breakfast, we consider this good value for the consumer.’
He also pointed out that the dish is often shared between two people, making it $17.50 per head—cheaper, he argues, than many fast food options and certainly a lot healthier.
Plus, there’s no sneaky Sunday surcharge at his cafe, and he claims most of his customers are loyal regulars who appreciate the value and community vibe.
It’s not just The Roast Office feeling the heat. According to a recent CreditorWatch report, nearly one in ten food service businesses closed in the past year, squeezed by rising rents, labour shortages, and the ever-increasing cost of ingredients.
Many cafes are barely scraping by, with profit margins thinner than a slice of streaky bacon.
Some online commenters were quick to sympathise. ‘Most of what you paid goes to rent and labour.
Others, however, weren’t so forgiving. ‘$35 for Big Breakfast? F*** that!’ one exclaimed, while another said, ‘You could make that at home for $5. Tell them they’re dreaming.’
It’s a fair question. With the cost of living biting hard, many of us are rethinking our spending habits. Is a cafe breakfast still a treat, or has it become an unaffordable luxury?
The experience—catching up with friends, enjoying a barista-made coffee, soaking up the atmosphere—is worth the extra dollars for some. For others, it’s a hard pass.
And let’s not forget, the price doesn’t even include a coffee! Add a flat white and you’re looking at $40 or more for your morning meal. That’s a lot of smashed avo.
But for those who value the cafe experience, the convenience, and the chance to support local businesses, the higher price might be worth it.
So, are cafes ‘dreaming’ with their prices, or are they simply trying to survive in a tough economic climate? The answer, as always, depends on your perspe
Read more: 'I stand with the Aussie cafe owner': Albanese joins global Vegemite debate
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