Here are my favourite places for lunch and dinner in Bondi. As always, you’ll find them on my map. There are more suggestions in my 2023 post, Bondi Beach – the Best Bites.
In order of preference…
Sean’s, 270 Campbell Parade, seansbondi.com
I’m pretty confident in saying that this is the best restaurant in Bondi, and a local chef friend agrees. It’s also one of the oldest, celebrating it’s thirtieth year in 2023. Chef-owner Sean Moran was doing local, seasonal and sustainable before anyone else, making him something of a visionary.
I came on my last night in Bondi with my friends Finn and Luther for a final goodbye blowout. The menu offers three choices for three courses for $120, but for that you also get a starter of warm bread, homemade butter and a delicious raw salad of heritage carrots, unusual radishes and kohlrabi.
Everything was good but the highlight of my choices was their famous L’Ionica Chook roasted with Zucchini Brown Rice Stuffing and Rainbow Chard. There were also some phenomenal roast potatoes and what I think must be pan-fried Gernika peppers. The flavours were superb aided by the wonderful jus made from the bird’s juices.
We also had a fantastic Pinot Gris boutique white wine called ‘Grain of Truth’ from Haddow & Dineen in Tasmania.
A pricey place but worth the money in my opinion.
Raw Bar, 1/136 Warners Ave, Bondi Beach, rawbar.com.au
I love Japanese food, having lived there for three years, and in mine and Luther’s opinons, this is the best of many Japanese restaurants in Bondi.
My favourite dishes are the Ponzu Oysters…
…and the Prawn Tempura and the Miso Aubergine.
In terms of sushi, the Kingfish Sashimi is great, and I enjoyed the Salmon and Avocado ‘Dragon Roll’ (with tempura scraps) and the seared Tuna Tataki.
These following places are okay, not the best, but worth a visit to make your own mind up.
Bar Pho, 132 Warners Ave, Bondi Beach, barpho.com.au
Now that Madam Chu’s has shut, this is my go-to Vietnamese restaurant for Beef Pho and Banh Mi in Bondi.
Ichi-Ban Boshi, 1/171-173 Oxford St, Bondi Junction, ichibanboshi.com.au
For good Tonkotsu Ramen (my favourite style), you have to go up to Bondi Junction.
This was the best of three places I tried for tonkotsu in the Junction in 2013. Their stock has good flavour, the noodles are nice and firm and their gyoza are pretty decent too.
The only downside is that they don’t sell beer, which for me is an essential part of the ramen Holy Trinity. The international chain Ippudo in the CBD is better, and has beer too.
La Macelleria, 180 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach, www.macelleria.com.au
This place has morphed from being a deli and butchers in 2013 to a steak restaurant in 2024. I found it more interesting before as a good place to pick up quality meat and other ingredients, but it’s okay for a fast steak dinner. If you want a truly great steak, go to Porteño in Surry Hills.
Totti’s, 283 Bondi Rd, merivale.com
The most famous dishes at this Italian restaurant are their pillowy, wood-fired bread and their lamb ragu parpadelle. However I had no appetite due to jet lag and couldn’t really do it justice, and I wasn’t that keen on their strange-tasting nduja. However their Negroni is available by the half litre.
As a single diner I was always offered seating at the bar, but their courtyard is the place to be. Book ahead though as they’re very popular.
The Corner House, 281 Bondi Rd, www.thecornerhouse.com.au
For pizza I quite enjoyed the Daniela (Fior di Latte, crispy proscuitto, asparagus, shaved parmesan and truffle oil) at this at this spot near Totti’s. Wasn’t too keen on the tomato passata base of their Il Classico though (with Fior di Latte and basil).
My favourite restaurant in Sydney next…