Café in Bondi Beach
A no-frills Hall Street espresso bar and deli-style cafe that's been caffeinating Bondi since the early '90s, built for takeaway coffee and a quick brekkie roll on the walk to the beach.
Formerly Gusto Deli Cafe.
This is one of the original Bondi coffee shops - a genuine neighbourhood institution more than 20 years deep, from an era when decent espresso by the beach was a novelty. We'd choose it over the influencer brunch rooms when you want a strong, reliable coffee and a hot roll without the queue or the theatre. It trades on being a locals' fixture rather than a destination, and that's exactly the point.
Espresso-based coffee is the reason to come; pair it with a made-to-order brekkie roll, shakshuka, bircher muesli, an acai bowl, or grab a fresh pie or salad from the deli counter.
Rustic, relaxed, unpretentious - a working local espresso bar with a handful of footpath seats on Hall Street.
Local tip: Order your coffee to take away and drink it on the short downhill walk to the promenade - this is a grab-and-go spot at heart, not a lingering brunch destination, and the footpath seating is limited.
Worth knowing: Reviews on the food are mixed - some find the plates simple or portions modest - so come for the coffee and quick eats rather than a standout sit-down meal.
We confirm each venue is currently trading; hours, prices and menus still change, so check the venue's own site for those before you go.
Italian · Bondi Beach
The hatted, ocean-front Italian fine-diner perched above the Bondi Icebergs pool, serving hand-rolled pasta and seasonal seafood with the best beach view in Sydney.
Best for: Milestone celebrations and long lunches with a view
Gelato · Bondi Beach
The Bondi outpost of Sydney's most celebrated gelato maker, tucked into the Hall Street hub a short walk back from the sand.
Best for: A post-beach dessert walk on Hall Street
Modern Australian · Bondi Beach
The original bills, the Hall Street cafe where Bill Granger reinvented Sydney brunch, still turning out its ricotta hotcakes and creamy scrambled eggs a couple of minutes back from the sand.
Best for: A landmark Bondi brunch a short walk from the beach