Café in Bondi Road
A busy neighbourhood brunch cafe midway up Bondi Road, known as much for its photogenic flavoured matcha lattes as for its generous all-day breakfast plates.
This is the kind of local cafe we'd point you to when you want the real Bondi Road weekday rhythm rather than a beachfront queue — running since 2018, it's built a genuine community following and a big social-media profile off its colourful matcha program and hearty brunch. The kitchen leans into crowd-pleasing modern-Australian brunch with a strong plant-based streak, so a table of mixed eaters is easy to feed. It's compact and gets loud when it fills, which is part of its charm rather than a knock against it.
Our pick is one of the signature flavoured matcha lattes (pistachio and strawberry are the ones people come for), paired with a brunch plate — the corn fritters, cookie croissant, halloumi tapioca bites or a bacon and egg roll; the vegan big breakfast and vegan shakshuka are the standouts on the plant-based side.
Compact, lively and cheerful; fills up and gets buzzy by late morning.
Local tip: Come before midday on a weekday if you actually want a seat — the narrow room packs out fast, and it's an easy takeaway grab if you'd rather walk your coffee down toward the beach.
Worth knowing: It's a small, often-crowded space with no ocean outlook, and the specialty matcha drinks sit at a premium price for what's essentially a casual cafe.
Hours, prices and menus change — always check the venue’s own site before you go. Spotted something out of date? We keep this directory current; details reflect our last check.
bakery · Bondi Road
A tiny weekend-only micro-bakery on Bondi Road built around soft, cold-fermented cinnamon scrolls and viral cold drinks, with queues to match the hype.
Best for: A weekend treat run for scroll-and-coffee lovers who don't mind a queue
Italian · Bondi Road
Merivale's buzzy, share-style Italian tucked into the back of The Royal on Bondi Road, built around a wood-fired oven and a leafy, olive-tree-lined courtyard.
Best for: Long, shared Italian lunches and lively group dinners off the beach
Mexican · Bondi Road
A hacienda-inspired Mexican restaurant on Bondi Road where the whole kitchen orbits a woodfire grill, turning out charcoal-kissed tacos, share plates and wagyu steaks.
Best for: Woodfire Mexican for a lively group dinner or a date night