I’ve stayed in Bondi Beach twice, in 2014 and 2024. A few of the places I went to in 2014 have since closed but many are still open. You can find them in my post Bondi Beach – the Best Bites. All the places mentioned in my posts can be found on my Google map.
So, in order of preference…
Bills, 79 Hall St, Bondi Beach, www.bills.com.au
This is a newer branch of Bill Granger‘s small chain of cafes, the original being in Surry Hills. I went to both branches on three occasions and managed to eat my way through most of his classics. These first three are considered by many to be the Holy Trinity of Sydney brunch dishes…
His Sweetcorn Fritters are to die for. I must have a go at the recipe. Bills serve it with roast tomato, spinach and avocado salsa.
I also love his silky Scrambled Eggs on Sourdough Toast, but I recommend adding a couple of his chilli-infused sausages to the plate to make it a bit more exciting. Here’s his video on how to make the eggs.
His Ricotta Hotcakes with Honeycomb Butter and Maple Syrup are renowned as some of the best pancakes in Sydney, and rightly so. Recipe here, video of Bill making them here.
I can also recommend the Full Australian breakfast which differs from a Full English in that the eggs are scrambled rather than fried and the baked beans are replaced by spinach. I liked the pork, chilli and fennel sausage but was sad to rediscover that Australian bacon still isn’t very good in comparison to the UK. That said, the bacon at Bills is still better than anything I’ve had elsewhere in Australia. It also comes with sourdough toast, cumin roast tomato and herbed garlic mushrooms.
However, my most favourite thing on the menu is Bill’s Bloody Mary, which I first tried at his London branch (post here). It’s made with vodka, Clamato (clam and tomato juice), Korean gochugang chilli paste, lime, coriander and a slither of fresh cucumber. This was the closest recipe I could find, just swap out the olives.
One thing I didn’t try was the classic Aussie brunch dish, Mashed Avocado on Sourdough Toast served with lime, chilli and coriander, best served with a poached egg (recipe video here) which Granger is credited for popularising (but not inventing by his own admission). It’s a great choice but I wanted to try the other dishes he is known for.
Very sadly Bill Granger passed away from cancer at the age of 54 on Xmas Day 2023, just ten days before I was enjoying his culinary creations in Bondi. RIP a true Australian culinary legend.
Another favourite breakfast spot is…
La Piadina, 106 Glenayr Ave, Bondi Beach, www.lapiadina.com.au, closed Monday.
This was my favourite place to eat breakfast in 2014 and I was very happy to find they are still going strong and have expanded into the next unit. It’s still just a small place run by two young brothers from Romagna, the Italian region from which the Piadina flatbread hails from. The food is authentic and healthy, and I think the coffee is still some of the best in town.
Sonoma Café, 178 Campbell Parade (entrance on Gould St) sonomabakery.com
Another favourite from 2014 still going strong, described by Where Chef’s Eat (a world restaurant guide published by Aussies), as making ‘the best bread in the country’ and it is indeed very good. On this occasion however I restricted myself to a Reuben Toastie (a toasted sourdough sandwich with Provolone, Gruyère, sliced pastrami, Russian dressing and pickled zucchini and cabbage), which was great.
Porch & Parlour, 17-18/110 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi, www.porchandparlour.com
Due to my obsession with Bills I didn’t do ‘Porchie’ justice but I achieved peak Bondi here with a Golden Gut Turmeric Chai Latte (my first and last ever) and a Kimchi Cheese Toastie.
The toastie was decent but mine is better (I make my own kimchi, use strong cheddar and add a bit of honey).
I’ve not tried them but I hear the Turmeric Folded Ommelete, the Green Pea Pancake, Ocean Trout Burger and the Scrambled Egg with Falafel, Hummus and Pickled Veg are all very good.
Oakberry Acai, 205 Bondi Rd and 82-92 Gould St (and more locations), www.oakberry.com.au
My favourite light breakfast is an acai smoothie or an acai granola bowl with sliced banana. Acai berries are both decicious and healthy and evoke fond memories of relaxing on the beach in Brazil where it’s a beach vendor classic.
Lunch and dinner in Bondi next!