Continental classics, Bondi attitude, and a bright blue piña colada you’ll want to order twice.
The team behind Lox In A Box is setting the table for their first full-service restaurant, and it’s one you’ll want to linger in. Bistro Bondi officially opens on Thursday, November 6, bringing European-style dining to the backstreets of Bondi. Led by Executive Chef Isabelle Caulfield (ex Poly & Ester) and Head Chef Dan Andersen (ex Shell House), the new venue from The Appetizing Trade Group channels old-world nostalgia with a sunny Bondi twist. The kitchen heroes serve refined share plates, pâté with bagel crisps, anchovy- and comté-topped latkes, steak frites, and prawns swimming in Café de Paris butter.
Front-of-house is helmed by Eden Elan (ex Love Tilly Group, Paramount House) and Isias Sirur, whose easy warmth brings a sense of neighbourhood familiarity to the bistro’s European flair. The vibe? Relaxed sophistication with a playful edge, somewhere between a Parisian corner bar and your favourite coastal haunt.
The wine list, curated by Jaymie Wallace (ex Embla, Love Tilly Divine, Lo-Fi), leans towards European drops with a few standout local picks, while Tim Ham (ex Nour) runs the bar. Don’t miss the Bondi Blue, a vibrant, piña colada–style cocktail topped with watermelon granita and a tiny umbrella, a nod to beachside nostalgia served with serious flair.
Founder Candy Berger says it best: “We wanted something familiar yet elevated, somewhere you can walk in straight from the beach or book for a special occasion.”
Quick Bites
- What to Eat: Charred prawns in café de Paris butter or the steak frites, perfect for sharing (or not).
- What to Drink: The Bondi Blue, a bright, tropical cocktail that’s pure summer in a glass.
- When to Go: Golden hour Fridays or a long, lazy Sunday lunch that stretches into the evening.
- Cost: Mains from ~$28.
- Where to Play After: Stroll down to Bondi Beach for a moonlit walk or end the night at Mackavelli for a nightcap.
- Vibe Check: Euro bistro meets Bondi nonchalance — all charm, no pretence.
- Book It: Reserve your table here.
