Where to Eat in Bondi Beach: The Curated Guide to Brunch, Lunch, Dinner & Drinks
I spent my first year in Australia living in Bondi, and it's still one of the places I return to almost every week. From Saturday morning matcha runs to post-beach lunches and dinner with friends, I've had plenty of time to work out where is actually worth eating. This isn't a list of every restaurant in Bondi. It's my curated edit of the places I'd genuinely recommend — from the quintessential Bondi brunch to sunset margaritas, excellent bakeries and the restaurants worth booking.
Best Brunch & Breakfast in Bondi
BLACKWOOD
If you want to feel like a Bondi girl for the morning, go to Blackwood.
This is the quintessential Bondi brunch spot: busy, beautiful people in activewear, a menu so tempting that you'll probably struggle to decide what to order and food that genuinely lives up to the hype.
It's one of those restaurants you almost want to dislike because it feels so quintessentially Bondi — but then the food arrives and you remember exactly why it's always busy.
Blackwood does fresh, creative food exceptionally well, with a menu that changes seasonally and keeps things interesting. I've brought friends here countless times and the reaction is always the same: how are we supposed to choose?
My order: the Green Goddess salad with grilled chicken. Crisp, fresh, green and exactly what I want from a Bondi brunch.
BILLS
Bills is a Sydney institution for a reason. It's been around for years, and the food is consistently delicious.
The menu works brilliantly whether you're there for breakfast, lunch or dinner, but for me there's one order that never gets old: the famous ricotta hotcakes. They're a Bills staple and, in my opinion, one of those Sydney dishes you should try at least once. Their salads and lighter dishes are also excellent if you're after something fresh rather than a huge brunch.
My order: the ricotta hotcakes.
THE SHOP AND WINE BAR
This tiny little spot packs a serious punch. The Shop & Wine Bar is a bit of a Bondi institution, having been around long enough to see plenty of changes in the neighbourhood while still maintaining its intimate, local feel. It's tiny, friendly and relaxed, and I love that it transforms from a breakfast and lunch spot into a wine bar in the evening. The menu changes seasonally, which is part of the appeal — there's always something slightly different to come back for.
My order: the continental breakfast.
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Best Casual & Affordable Eats in Bondi
D BOWLS
If you like açai, this is the one.
D Bowls keeps things wonderfully simple, focusing on one thing and doing it exceptionally well: a thick, beautifully blended açai bowl topped with fresh fruit and, most importantly, peanut butter. There's a reason they don't need a huge menu. They've perfected the thing they're known for.
My order: the classic açai bowl with peanut butter. And one very important tip: don't ask for a lid. You'll squash down that beautiful giant dome of açai and the enormous scoop of peanut butter on top. Eat it as nature intended.
LOX IN A BOX
Lox in a Box is one of my reliable Bondi go-tos, particularly on a lazy Sunday.
There are bagels, salads, breakfast burritos and sweet treats, plus a deli section and an after-hours burger menu from Thursday to Saturday. I also love the retro, slightly vintage feel of the branding. But if you're feeling a little worse for wear on a Sunday, this is where I'd send you.
My order: the breakfast burrito with added pastrami.
If You're Visiting Bondi for the First Time
If it's your first time in Bondi, I'd do the quintessential Bondi-girl day: start at the Saturday markets with an Earl Grey iced matcha from Hola Coffee, then grab an açai bowl from D Bowls before heading to Blackwood for lunch. Come evening, book Totti's and aim for an outdoor table around golden hour, then finish with two scoops of Messina. It's touristy in the best possible way — these are genuinely some of my favourite places in Bondi, not just the places I think visitors should tick off.
PIZZA LAUNDRY
Pizza Laundry is one of Bondi's newer additions and has quickly become one of my favourites.
The menu is deliberately small, and once they've sold through their dough for the day, that's it. So don't leave it until late if you're determined to get a pizza. The pizzas are thin-based but incredibly generous with their toppings, and the ingredients taste fresh rather than overloaded. I love restaurants that know exactly what they're good at and don't feel the need to do twenty things. Pizza Laundry has nailed its small menu.
My order: hot honey pepperoni with added stracciatella. Take it to the beach and you've got a pretty perfect Bondi lunch.
S'WICH
S'Wich is one of my absolute favourites.
It's the kind of place where I can never quite decide whether I want a salad or a sandwich, because both are genuinely excellent. Everything feels fresh and is made to order. And for me, there's one order that wins every time.
My order: the S'Wich Caesar salad, with the chicken swapped for crispy panko chicken and extra pickled onions. The pickled onions are non-negotiable for me. That little hit of acidity makes the whole thing. It's also the place I'd recommend after the Bondi to Coogee walk if you arrive in Bondi around lunchtime.
CUT LUNCH DELI
Cut Lunch Deli is one for when you want something a little more decadent. The menu is relatively small but very well executed, with beautifully fresh dishes and a deli feel that makes it perfect for a leisurely lunch.
My order: the grilled salmon plate, a glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and the mixed sashimi platter for one. Very decadent. Very delicious.
FISH MONGERS
Fish Mongers is exactly the kind of casual Bondi restaurant I love: high-quality food without any unnecessary fuss. You can keep things light with grilled fish and salad, or go all in with battered fish and house-cut chips. There's plenty of choice depending on what you're in the mood for.
My order: the fish tacos. And they have the rare seal of approval from my husband, who doesn't actually like fish.
THE CHAR
If you need something quick, casual and genuinely good value, The Char is where I'd go.
I love that you can completely customise your meal depending on what you're in the mood for. You can load up on fresh salads and a generous portion of rotisserie chicken, or go in the opposite direction and add something like mac and cheese on the side. There are also banquet options if you're feeding a group. It's fresh, filling and incredibly good value for Bondi. More importantly, you can make it as healthy — or as indulgent — as you like.
My order: two salads and a quarter chicken. It's one of those places that proves my point that eating well in Bondi doesn't have to mean spending a fortune.
FISHBOWL
It's perfect for taking down to the beach for a picnic.
Fishbowl is one of my favourite options for a really busy summer day when you want to grab lunch and get straight back to the beach. They have locations around Sydney and specialise in fresh, customisable bowls, with plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans too. I particularly like that you can order online ahead of time, which means you can skip the queue when Bondi is absolutely heaving.
My order: spicy salmon with extra seaweed salad.
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I'd do the quintessential Bondi day: Saturday Markets for an Earl Grey iced matcha from Hola Coffee, an açai bowl from D Bowls, brunch or lunch at Blackwood, dinner at Totti's and Messina for dessert.
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For me, it's Blackwood. It's the quintessential Bondi brunch experience, with a creative seasonal menu and so many good options that choosing what to order is genuinely difficult. Bills and The Shop & Wine Bar are also excellent depending on what kind of morning you're after.
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Head to S'Wich. My order is the Caesar salad with crispy panko chicken and extra pickled onions.
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For a classic Bondi atmosphere, I'd choose Hotel Ravesis. For margaritas and a moodier evening, go to Makaveli. And for something much more relaxed and distinctly Australian, North Bondi RSL has one of the best views.
Best On-The-Go
COMMON SUPPLY
Common Supply deserves its own mention because it's somewhere I return to at different times of day.
What I love most is the quality and variety of the ingredients. The food feels fresh and homemade, but there's also an attention to detail that makes you think, I couldn't actually make this at home.
The smoothies are a perfect example. They pack an almost ridiculous number of ingredients into some of them — things you probably wouldn't have sitting around in your kitchen — and somehow make them taste delicious.
The open kitchen, customisable meals and fresh ingredients all add to the appeal. It's a great spot after a morning swim, particularly because of where it's located.
My order depends on the time of day:
In the morning, I'll go for the breakfast smoothie. At lunchtime, it's the peri chicken grilled sandwich. And if I'm properly hungry, I'll build one of their custom meal bowls. The cauliflower bites and purple potato mash are particular favourites.
Best Dinner in Bondi
TOTTIS
If you're going out for dinner in Bondi, this is the one I'd book.
Totti's has fantastic food, but what really makes it special for me is the atmosphere. The outdoor space is big, lush and green, with beautiful low-level lighting that makes the whole place feel incredibly relaxed and atmospheric. There's also covered outdoor seating, which is useful when Sydney decides to throw a little heat or rain at you.
Coming from Europe, I genuinely think it feels like you've been transported somewhere else for the evening. It doesn't feel particularly Australian; it feels like you're on holiday somewhere in Europe. It's where I'd go for a date night, a slightly more special dinner or when friends and family are visiting Sydney. And the food has never let me down.
My order: the flatbread is non-negotiable. Then, depending on the season, the crab and courgette pasta is an absolute favourite, alongside the lamb ragu. I love ordering both because they give you completely different experiences — one lighter with a white wine-based sauce, the other rich and tomatoey.
Totti's is popular, so book ahead. Walk-ins are possible, but they're not something I'd rely on. We once managed to get a Friday-night walk-in at the bar and felt extremely lucky.
If I Only Had 24 Hours in Bondi
If I only had 24 hours, I'd keep it simple: Saturday Markets and an Earl Grey iced matcha from Hola Coffee in the morning, D Bowls for something refreshing, S'Wich for a Caesar with crispy panko chicken and pickled onions for lunch, then Totti's for dinner around golden hour. And obviously, I'd finish with Messina — two scoops minimum.
RAW BAR
If you're looking for sushi in Bondi, Raw Bar is my pick.
It's worth making the distinction that I don't think it's the best sushi in Sydney — that title belongs to Wahouku in nearby Rose Bay for me — but Raw Bar is my favourite sushi in Bondi. It's a great option when you're craving something fresh and Japanese-inspired without leaving the neighbourhood.
My order: The battered white fish and a mandarin marg, the perfect summer combination.
Best Cocktails & Sunset Drinks in Bondi
MAKAVELI
If margaritas are your thing, Makaveli should be on your list. It's small, dark and moody, with a great atmosphere and a menu designed for sharing. The tequila and margarita selection is the obvious draw, and honestly, I've yet to order something from that menu that I haven't enjoyed.
My order: something from the tequila menu — and, very likely, a margarita.
HOTEL RAVESIS
Hotel Ravesis is one of those Bondi spots that can get lively, particularly when there's live music happening. I love it for a drink when you want to be right in the middle of the Bondi atmosphere. The outdoor tables are coveted, though, so don't necessarily expect to walk in and immediately get the perfect spot.
The dining area at the front actually gets some of the best views, so I'd consider staying for lunch or dinner if you want to make the most of the location.
My order: a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or one of their margaritas. The food is very good too, although the portions can feel a little expensive for their size.
North Bondi RSL
North Bondi RSL is not where you go for glamour. And that's precisely why I think it's worth knowing about.
The RSL is part of a very Australian institution, originally established to support returned servicemen and their families, with clubs like these now found across the country. The Bondi location is particularly special because of the view. It's relaxed, casual and wonderfully unpretentious, with a pub-style menu and a front-row position overlooking the beach.
If you're visiting Australia and want something that feels genuinely local rather than polished for tourists, grab a drink here. Come for the view and stay for a little taste of Australian culture.
My order: A pint of Stone & Wood Mate.
Best Bakeries & Sweet Treats in Bondi
THE BAKERY ON GLENYR
For me, this is the best all-round bakery in Bondi.
Everything is made fresh on the day, and there is a great mix of classic pastries alongside more fun things when you're in the mood for something a little more indulgent.
It also has that lovely village-community feeling that I think is becoming increasingly rare. There's always a beautiful Bondi crowd coming through, and it feels like the kind of place where people genuinely know each other.
My order: a chai latte and the cardamom bun. My husband would probably tell you to get the chocolate almond croissant instead — he says it's the best he's ever had. For me, though, the cardamom bun and a chai latte is the perfect cosy Bondi morning.
SUNDAYS
If you like cinnamon rolls, don't leave Bondi without trying Sundays.
They typically have around six flavours on the go, including a seasonal special, and the rolls are wonderfully soft and indulgent. The flavours change, which makes it particularly fun to go back and see what's new. They also do some great matcha. They tend to sell out on weekends, so expect a queue and don't leave it until late if there's a particular flavour you're after.
My order: the Kinder Bueno cinnamon roll. The regular matcha is also my favourite. I love trying the seasonal flavour, but I always come back to the Kinder Bueno.
DAIRY
Dairy is where I'd go when you want a proper sweet treat.
They're known for their thick chocolate-chip cookies, packed with generous chunks of chocolate, and they're exactly as indulgent as you'd hope. They also do a very good sticky chai latte, which is fragrant and comforting and pairs perfectly with the cookie. This is not an “I'm just going to grab a little something” situation. These cookies are substantial, and you'll probably still be thinking about it long after you've finished one.
My order: the chocolate-chip cookie and a sticky chai.
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I'd start at the Saturday Markets with an Earl Grey iced matcha from Hola Coffee, get an açai bowl from D Bowls, have lunch at S'Wich, spend the afternoon at the beach, have dinner at Totti's around golden hour and finish with two scoops of Messina.
That's my version of a perfect Bondi day.
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Not particularly, especially compared with Sydney's CBD and some of the more corporate restaurants with harbour views. There are certainly more expensive restaurants and special-occasion options, but Bondi has a fantastic range of prices. You don't need to save for months to eat well here — some of my favourite spots are surprisingly affordable.
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Totti's is my go-to. The atmosphere is beautiful, particularly outside around golden hour, and the food is consistently excellent. I'd book ahead and order the flatbread alongside whichever pasta is tempting you most.
Bondi has plenty of places to eat, but you don't need to spend a fortune — you just need to know where to go. These are the places I genuinely return to and recommend to friends, whether you're after a quick beachside lunch, a Saturday morning ritual or a special dinner. Save this guide for your next Bondi day and eat your way through my favourites.
