Two of Sydney’s favourite casual eateries have joined forces for a new venture in Bondi. Side Room is the sibling venue from Potts Point favourite Room 10 who has partnered with burgeoning poke chain Fishbowl for the new kiosk-style eatery. The petite space specialises in smoothies and sandwiches, and is settled within Bondi’s Pacific complex alongside fellow suburb favourite Bondi Beach Public Bar.

Side Room’s focus on toasties has already garnered the venue a steady stream of fans, including a certain Neil Perry; the chef having given the café ample social media coverage in recent weeks. But there’s not just toasties on offer; accompanying the sandwich selection is a curated menu of wholesome salad bowls (whole bowls) and smoothies crafted from largely native ingredients. It’s this attention to detail that co-owner Nic Pestalozzi of Fishbowl believes is why Side Room is already drawing in the local crowds.

“Our offering is thoughtful and has been carefully curated,” explains Pestalozzi, “We prep everything in-house, from macadamia butter to vegan cashew cheese. We have also included Australian native ingredients throughout the menu. Each smoothie contains one native ingredient; from strawberry gum and wattle seeds to lemon myrtle, Kakadu plum and quandong.”

@sideroom_sydney is rocking some great coffee and the cheese toastie is a killer, love it with chilli and pickles #sideroombondi #bondibeach #sydneyfood #cheesesandwich

A post shared by Neil Perry (@chefneilperry) on May 26, 2018 at 7:19pm PDT

The venue’s head chef is Yuvi Thu of Room 10 (another co-owner and wife to fellow co-owner Andrew Hardjasudarma) who is assisted by Victoria Scriven, formerly of restaurant Ester. “The food philosophy has been driven by Room 10,” Pestalozzi says, “by coming together, we have allowed Side Room to meet both Fishbowl and Room 10’s hearty, wholesome, and absolutely delicious standards of food without comprising on speed and the operational efficiencies required to succeed in Bondi.”

Side Room may be designed as a kiosk-style space, but guests can choose to dine-in if they prefer. “We have about 20 seats which create a nice vibe and place to hang out and take a minute to sit and relax,” says Pestalozzi of the sleek pocket in which the cafe sits. “Dine in crockery and cutlery is there to use, and I recommended helping yourself to our house made fermented chilli.”

Side Room may be the first collaboration between Fishbowl and Room 10, but with a growing number of vocal local fans (Perry included) we’re sure it won’t be the duo’s last.

Side Room
180–186 Campbell Parade, Bondi

OG AÇAI Paleo granola Coconut flakes Banana + strawberry Macadamia butter Peanut butter Freeze dried raspberry @sideroom_sydney

A post shared by SiDE | ROOM (@sideroom_sydney) on May 24, 2018 at 12:26pm PDT