North Bondi Italian Food

Hospitality maverick Maurice Terzini's bar/restaurant sits on the north end of Bondi beach like a little jewel of boozing goodness. NBIF has been seducing golden-skinned Sydneysiders for some years now with laid-back charm and tasty bar food. The room-length bar sits adjacent to the constantly packed-out restaurant. On weekends you'll have to hustle and elbow your way to the counter, but it's well worth the wait. The bar staff, dressed in their little denim rompers (bless 'em) work hard at their drinks, squeezing the blood orange and grapefruit juices fresh. The super-popular sgroppino is hard to pronounce but dangerously easy to drink – it's a lemon sorbet helped along with plenty of vodka. If fancy drinks don't float your boat, there is an impressive selection of local and imported wines and beers that offers great bang for your buck. As for seating, the outside back steps or wall provide the ideal perching place (provided you can maintain your balance after six Camparis) while the wide timber verandah out front affords sweeping views of the shoreline. If you're peckish, order the light, crisp-yet-tender calamari, or the spinach arancini. The fun doesn't stop at the food and drinks, either: the toilets are painted in blackboard paint, so you can scrawl your memories on the wall or add to the noticeboard with an autograph, picture or message.

For cheaper drinks with a similar view head to the North Bondi RSL upstairs.