The best breakfast spots in Liverpool
16 Aug 2024
16 Aug 2024
Who knows the best places to eat and drink? The locals do!
The best coffee? The tastiest lunches? The hottest places for dinner? It’s only logical to ask a local, that’s why Dish Cult is getting the inside track on Sydney’s many neighbourhoods with someone who lives or works there. This week we go to Bondi Junction with operations manager Franca Banco.
Franca has lived her whole life in the Sydney suburb, though she will make any excuse to get on a plane. She has gone to Magnolia Bakery in New York City for cupcakes and Mak’s Noodles in Hong Kong for wonton soup, but she is totally in the know when it comes to the streets of Bondi Junction. And, best of all, she’s here to share it with us…
Image credit Cook and Baker
Where do you go for your morning coffee?
“It’s always The Cook and Baker on Oxford Street. The best coffee in the Junction, but I find it hard to just leave with my latte because the pastries are really something. Honestly, they have the best flaky croissants. Sometimes I get it plain, other times the ham and cheese. The bombolone with custard is pretty hard to resist too. I always get vanilla, but they also have raspberry. It’s a 100% local crowd.”
Your favourite fast lunch?
“I love Tonkatsu Ya in the Eastgate shopping centre. They do a grilled salmon sushi and it is *chef’s kiss*. It’s mostly takeaway, but you can dine in too, and all their sushi is really good.”
What about to take someone out for lunch?
“So I know people can be snobby about food courts, but I am not a snob, I’m only interested in the best food, and we’ve got a fancy food court at Westfield Bondi Junction and honestly it has heaps of great stuff. I would probably take someone to Lobster Tail Seafood, really good, fresh seafood, amazing views of the city. If I was more in a yum cha frame of mind, Zilver’s would be the goer. It’s always packed!”
How about drinks after work?
“Definitely, The Mill. I still call it the Mill Hill, but it was recently renovated and opened just after lockdown. It’s a classic but classy pub in a historic building. It’s really relaxed. I go for a white wine or just a lemon, lime and bitters. I really like supporting local businesses to help get them on their feet, especially after Covid and the lockdowns, I think it’s really important.”
You’ll find me shopping for food at…
“Harris Farm in Bondi Junction. The quality of the fruit and vegetables is second to none.”
Bakery of choice?
“Son of a Baker is really great for excellent baklava and custard tarts. We don’t really have a great bread place in Bondi Junction, so I go to Edgecliff for Sonoma, but for sweet baked stuff it’s Son of a Baker all the way.”
A Bondi Junction long-standing favourite is…
“Bambusia! It’s a Chinese restaurant that’s been there forever and I don’t think it’s changed in forever either. But it’s got a lazy susan and beef in black bean sauce and fried rice. It’s reassuring and fun and I hope it never goes away.”
Image credit Rosso Pomodoro
Where do you pick up something tasty to take home?
“Rosso Pomodoro Bondi Junction! Oh my God, the pizza is good here! It’s like you’re having pizza in Italy. The antipasto selection is excellent, they do handmade grissini sticks out of pizza dough, stuffed red peppers, beautiful prosciutto. If I had to have a last meal it would be Rosso Pomodoro’s antipasto platter. We do takeaway from here, but we also eat there with my little nephews, it’s super family friendly. My mum Maria rates them highly, and she’s an Italian nonna, so you’d be crazy to argue with her!”
Bondi Junction’s secret gem is…
“Next door to Rosso Pomodoro is Osteria Riva. It has the same owners and it’s a bit tucked away, but the locals know it’s brilliant. They do pasta fatta in casa (house-made pasta) and the focus is on food from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. My favourite dish is definitely the Wagyu scotch fillet with the rocket and parmesan salad.”
Bondi Junction is a great place to eat because…
“If you’ve got limited time, there’s heaps of different places to choose from, and the variety is fantastic!”
Your Bondi Junction address book:
The Cook and Baker: 238 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Tonkatsu Ya: Ground level, Eastgate Bondi Junction 71/91 Spring St, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Lobster Tail Seafood: Westfield Bondi Junction, Level 5/500 Oxford St, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
The Mill Bondi Junction: 59B Oxford Street, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Harris Farm: Level 1/Westfield Bondi Junction, 500 Oxford St, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Son of a Baker Bondi: Westfield Bondi Junction, Level 3/500 Oxford St, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Bambusia Chinese Restaurant: 29 Newland St, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Rosso Pomodoro Bondi Junction: 94 Bronte Rd, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Osteria Riva: 1/96 Bronte Rd, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
