When I lived in Melbourne, I would do brunch five times a day. 18 months on and I still haven’t quite put my finger on why brunch is like oxygen to a Melburnian, but not so much a Sydneysider (although I have a few suspicions..)
As much as brunch doesn’t rule my life anymore, I’ve definitely found a few favourites, formed a few close bonds. The Grounds of Alexandria I’m pretty tight with (especially when I have a craving for being in crowds). Bellagio Cafe, my local Bronte go-to, is a cape-wearing hero in my eyes. Little Jean in Double Bay is also a solid A.
And Porch and Parlour in Bondi is another breakfast spot I share a best-friend charm with.
Brunching in beautiful Bondi Beach
It’s a fact. Everything’s more beautiful in Bondi. The beach, beautiful. The people, most definitely. One look around and you have to assume that everyone’s gone through security to get into Bondi Beach, ensuring they’re adequently tanned, fit and have the right kind of tousled beach hair. Even the seagulls look buffed and bronzed.
True to form, Porch and Parlour do a very beautiful, very Bondi all-day breakfast (one look at their Instagram feed and you’ll see that). As you’d expect, the beautiful brunch dishes match a beautiful space that could’ve come straight from the pages of Pinterest. Yep, the small restaurant is artfully-rustic, filled with hanging plants, hanging light pendants, impressive tile work, and wooden benches and stools.
Views? Of course! Situated on the northern-end of Bondi Beach, Porch and Parlour is a rock’s throw from the sand. If you get a seat outside or at the window counter, you’ll have a front-row seat to all the beach action you desire.
Green on green breakfast bowl
What’s on the menu?
Think pretty smash ‘n’ hash, chilli labneh eggs and vibranty green brekkie bowls (and just a lotta green in general). All beautiful, fresh and delicious. And because it’s never too early for bubbles, you can turn it into a boozy brunch with a Porch Mimosa.
Wanna stick to coffee? That’s ok. Caffeine comes via Sydney’s top coffee roaster Will & Co – so the coffee’s actually very good. A Sydney miracle.
Speaking of Wills. Will Smith himself is a fan of the Porch. In particular, their green pea pancake of avocado, snow pea, ‘porched’ egg, feta, zucchini and mint salad (in case you missed it). And, if it’s good enough for Will Smith, it’s good enough for this schmuck.
But, it’s not just brunch being served at this Bondi favourite. Porch and Parlour are also open for dinner with a relaxed menu of things like charred octopus, smoked caesar salad and hanger steak. That means you can end your beach day with a cheese board and bottle of rosé.
Porch and Parlour is…
Worth the hassle. Expect serious crowds spilling onto the pavement, desperately waiting to get their mitts on a table. Weekends are the worst. My hot tip is to keep your ears on AT ALL TIMES. The last thing you need after hangrily waiting a full hour for a table is for the table-gifting fairy to tell you that they called your name 20 minutes ago. Oh yeah, fuck my life.
But hey, if there wasn’t the crowds we’d be concerned, right? And Porch and Parlour definitely warrants them.
Porch and Parlour | 17 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi, New South Wales
Phone: (02) 9300 0111
porchandparlour.com
