Chef Matt Moran’s waterfront restaurant North Bondi Fish has been a go-to for long lunches in Sydney since it first swung open its doors in the summer of 2013. That’s all thanks to its winning formula: a coastal-inspired menu with a side of beautiful ocean views. Now, head chef and fisherman David Coumont – who, for the past eight years, ran his own seafood eatery Moxhe in Bronte – is at the helm. While there are a few new additions on the menu, fresh and seasonal produce remains at the heart of this beachside babe.
Take NBF’s new fish burger, for example. Oily and cloying batter? Forget about it. Here, the team uses monkfish, cooking it over the hibachi grill so it’s succulent and imbued with a slight smoky flavour. It’s topped with house-cured pancetta, grilled capsicum, eggplant and rocket, then sandwiched between an organic semolina bun baked fresh by the team each day.
Starting with a Spritz? We love the sound of the Dolce Vita Spritz (limoncello, 42 Below vodka, mandarin, bergamot and soda). Pair it with the sashimi plate, which changes daily depending on the catch of the day.
For mains, the whole grilled market fish arrives bathed in a herby butter sauce with green olives. And yes, the fish tacos are still on the menu, now served in a house-made corn soft shell filled with lightly fried local fish, pickled cabbage and green corn puree with waxleaf for a citrus hit.
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“The beauty of the market seafood menu is that there is always something new to try when you visit,” says Coumont. “The produce is cooked simply to highlight the seafood’s natural flavours, like blue swimmer crab lightly dusted with olive oil and thyme before grilling, or fried whitebait and school prawns.”
“Each week, we bring in a whole tuna and use the entire fish in different ways, including tuna belly sashimi and grilled tuna steaks dressed with tomato, grilled radicchio, chives, and finger lime. I’m also excited to show guests how delicious lesser-known fish can be when handled the right way,” Coumont adds.
On weekends, North Bondi Fish offers a bottomless menu featuring a zesty, share-style feast and free-flowing booze for $95 per person.
Light, fresh and tasty, North Bondi Fish offers exactly the kind of dishes you want to enjoy by the sea, paired with a chilled bottle of white.
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