Some kind of delicious-tasting slider from Bondi Hardware
When you think of Bondi you don’t exactly think of fine dining, stomach-pleasing restaurants or having your tastebuds blown off in happiness. You think of that wide-arced beach packed with the ridiculously bronzed, buff and beautiful, and perhaps a few fish and chips on the knoll, right?
But, there’s plenty of restaurants in Bondi that impress, and it’s only fair I share. Here’s a laundry list of my favourites:
BRUNCH: Porch and Parlour
Porch and Parlour do a beautiful, very Bondi all-day breakfast. Think smash ‘n’ hash, chilli labneh eggs and vibranty green brekkie bowls (and just a lotta green in general). As you’d expect, the beautiful brunch dishes match a beautiful space that could’ve come straight from the pages of Pinterest. It’s rustic, and filled with hanging plants, hanging light pendants, and wooden benches and stools.
Caffeine comes via the Sydney socialite’s coffee of choice: Will & Co. And speaking of Wills. Will Smith himself is a fan of the Porch. In particular, the green pea pancake (in case you missed it). And if it’s good enough for Will Smith, it’s good enough for this schmuck.
Porch and Parlour | 17 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi, New South Wales
Phone: (02) 9300 0111
porchandparlour.com
SEAFOOD: North Bondi Fish
Tucked into the top corner of Bondi Beach, this fancy-but-relaxed beach shack – that’s part-owned by Matt Moran – has a great buzz and serves some of the best tasting seafood around. Try and jag a table out on the deck (sun permitting) where you will have a full view of all the beach action – including the shirtless gym junkies hell bent on convincing you it’s Venice, not Bondi, Beach.
As the name suggests, seafood is the star at North Bondi Fish, with the menu including the likes of beer battered flathead, rock oysters, soft shell crab sliders, whole baby Hiramasa kingfish and other good stuff that will leave you giddy. Yep, you’re going to want to wear loose pants to this one.
North Bondi Fish | 120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi, New South Wales
Phone: (02) 9130 2155
northbondifish.com.au
DESSERT: Messina
While not exclusive to Bondi, there’s no better place to slurp some of Sydney’s favourite gelato than on the grassy knoll at Bondi Beach. All of our favourite Messina flavours are here on Hall Street: pistachio praline, salted caramel and white chocolate, and tiramisu, plus 37 other concoctions of deliciousness.
Gelato Messina Bondi | 6/61 Hall Street, Bondi, New South Wales
Phone: (02) 9130 2877
gelatomessina.com/au/bondi
ASIAN: China Diner
The culinary competition is fierce in this neck of the woods, with Hall Street housing some of Bondi’s best restaurants. But, China Diner holds its own, plying the Eastern Suburbs masses with their dumplings, bao and fried rice. And not just any dumplings, bao and fried rice!
China Diner has become one of my Deliveroo favourites. (Although every time I spend $120 on take-out I remind myself this must stop!!). And while having Massaman curry on the couch is great, first preference should always be to experience this Bondi Beach favourite in full.
This means staking claim in the casual, high-tabled, neon-lit bar area; or in the white table-clothed, more romantic back dining room that’s reminiscent of 1930s Shanghai.
Fried rice, with prawn, egg and sweet lup cheong pork sausage
China Diner | 75 Hall Street, Bondi Beach, New South Wales
Phone: (02) 9130 2333
chinadiner.com.au
WITH A VIEW: Bondi Icebergs Dining Room & Bar
Of course, no Bondi eats list would be complete without this superstar that’s almost as famous as the beach itself. And really who cares what the food tastes like when you can chow down on views for days. But, bonus for us, the food ain’t bad. Actually it’s very, very good, with lots of local produce dominating the modern Italian menu.
May sound crazy, but my favourite time to visit Icebergs’s restaurant is when it’s stormy and you can watch three-story waves crash over the celebrified ocean pool below, all while enjoying your ink spaghetti with blue swimmer crab in cosy comfort.
Bondi Icebergs Dining Room & Bar | 1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach, New South Wales
Phone: (02) 9365 9000
idrb.com/dining-room
EATS WITH DRINKS: The Bucket List
Positioned on the foreshore of this legendary stretch of sand, there’s no better place for some Bondi people-watching, sun-soaking and day-drinking than The Bucket List. There’s also a pretty decent food menu of tacos, burgers and salads that will help soak up the booze. Sitting back on a deck chair in the outside courtyard, sipping on a passionfruit mojito and listening to the DJ spin the decks, you’ll understand why this drinking spot is a favourite for Bondiians.
Image credit: The Bucket List
The Bucket List | Bondi Pavilion, Shop 1, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach, New South Wales
Phone: (02) 9365 4122
thebucketlistbondi.com
DEGUSTATION: Blanca
Put European style, Japanese flavours and top Australian produce in a bowl, whisk it around and you get Blanca. While no-one’s holding a water gun to your head to do the seven-course ($77pp) or 10-course ($93pp) tasting menu, you’d be silly not to. But, whatever you do, don’t skip the Blanca Black Bun – crispy soft shell crab, XO-mayo and spicy red cabbage on a soft black bun. Gahhh, so good!
Yep, all of life’s problems will be solved with a visit to Blanca, which sports a space that’s whiter than my legs in winter.
Here’s some more detail around exactly what that drool-worthy degustation involves.
Kingfish rice cracker
Blanca Bar & Dining | 4/75–79 Hall Street, Bondi Beach, New South Wales
Phone: (02) 9365 2998
blanca.com.au
ALL ROUNDER: Sean’s Panorama
There’s a reason why this small, humble Campbell Parade eating house is dearly-loved by locals (and was named Australia’s 67th best restaurant in 2017 – no biggie). It has everything: a ripper blackboard menu, ocean views, a casual vibe and a good value five-course chef’s menu.
Sean’s Panorama | 270 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach, New South Wales
Phone: (02) 9365 4924
seanspanaroma.co
Other good, reliable, won’t let you down restaurants in Bondi
- Can Cava Pintxos & Wine – a definite go-to if you’re after good pintxos and good wine. The menu is simple and delicious. But, be warned: the small, toothpicked bites can add up quicker than you can say ‘Bondi hipster’.
- Bondi Hardware – once Bondi’s local hardware store, this relaxed, high-tabled restaurant nails the share menu (and hardware theme). Order chargrilled corn, kingfish ceviche tacos and beef cheek – and share the lot. Or don’t.
- Panama House – a resort-style spot on Campbell Parade serving good Central American grub, such as slow-roasted mojo-marinated pork belly with celeriac slaw and jalapeno cream. And did I mention the bottomless brunch? Read the full EPLT write-up here.
Pork belly pintxos from Can Cava Pintxos and Wine
