Birichina Cafe – Bondi’s Naughty Little Girl

By Rhys Kane on November 1, 2011 in Food

Photo: Grant Brooks

Named after the Italian word for ‘naughty little girl’, Birichina is a quaint little hole-in-the-wall cafe in a cracker of a location with prime views of the ocean. Located at the beach end of Bondi’s Lamrock Avenue (replacing the old Twenty26), on a sunny day this place is buzzing, pumping out seriously good organic coffee and cafe fare. Given its postion, you’d expect it to be more touristy, but it has a lovely local village feel about it.

A short hop down the grassy slope (that is currently being dug up by the council) away from the waves at South Bondi, Birichina has the beach cafe vibe sewn up. It’s super chilled and friendly, attracting a following of locals, holidaymakers and even a few celebs. You could happily linger there all day enjoying the vibe and watching Bondi go by.

Occupying prime Bondi real estate doesn’t come cheap, so nearly all of Birichina’s interior space is taken up by a small coffee bar and open kitchen. The outside dining area is an eclectic mix of milking stools and mismatched chairs accompanying long hand-made tables that fill the pavement. Rustic wood and natural finishes are lightened by the cafe’s airy aspect, and the mosaic tiled bar and ornate details make it feel lived in and loved rather than over-styled. This is definitely the place to head on a hot day, but don’t be afraid to jump in and share a table as seats don’t seem to stay empty for long.

In a spot like this it can be more about the vibe and the view than what is on the plate, but Birichina seem to take great pride in their food and use good quality organic ingredients. There is a plenty choice for breakfast, and for under ten bucks you can get a bacon, spinach and egg roll with tomato relish or crunchy granola with yoghurt and berries. I went the sweet corn fritters, a personal fave of mine that is a menu staple in cafes across the area. It was served with avocado, bacon and a zingy lime yoghurt that really lifted the dish. The French toast is fantastic too.

The lunch menu is also great value – a beef burger with gruyere and tomato relish will set you back just $10! It’s also a little bit fancy, featuring a couple of big salads and a tasty sounding parmesan and zucchini pancake with spinach and ricotta for those who want something more glamorous than a burger.

The coffee coming out of Birichina is as good as it gets. They use organic Byron Bay Columbian arabica with a strong rich flavour, and at just $3.30 a cup it’s one of the cheapest spots in Bondi. They use environmentally friendly take-away cups too.

Birichina is everything a Bondi cafe should be: simple, relaxed, fun and boasting a fantastic view. When it comes to the South Bondi area, this beach cafe’s varied, inexpensive menu and sidewalk seating make it one of the best casual options in the neighbourhood.

Birichina Cafe

Address: Shop B, 8-10 Lamrock Ave, Bondi Beach
Open: 7 days, 6am-5pm
Prices: $4.50-$14
Seats: 24
Cards: Cash only (ATM next door)
Licensed/BYO: BYO