When the trio behind Fishbowl – Nathan Dalah, Nic Pestalozzi and Casper Ettelson – opened Fish Shop in Bondi earlier this year, it was an immediate success. Crowds gathered to order takeaway, and there were often two-hour waits for a table.

It all got a bit much. So, the trio has decided to stop doing takeaway from Fish Shop entirely (once lockdown’s over) – and open a new venue devoted solely to grab-and-go meals.

The result is Fsh Mkt, set to open in mid-October next to Fish Shop, at Glenayr Avenue’s Sevenways precinct in Bondi.

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Fsh Mkt will sell next door’s locally sourced and sustainably caught seafood by the kilogram. Prawn katsu and flathead “zinger” burgers will be available alongside a market selection of grilled fish, including ocean trout, snapper and barramundi. Filling salads and rotating in-season vegetables will round out the menu, which is designed to bring the classic fish shop into 2021 in style.

“We believe the traditional fish’n’chip shop needs reimagining, and we wanted to be at the forefront of that with a greater focus on sustainability, provenance and updated handling and processing techniques,” Dalah tells Broadsheet

Think elevated potato scallops, a tuna-steak sandwich, shucked-to-order oysters and house-cured and smoked fish, as well as classic condiments such as tartare sauce, ketchup, fermented chilli and chilli jam.

Fsh Mkt will also feature a BYOP (build your own picnic) bar, allowing park- and beach-goers to curate their own picnics with oysters, prawns, house-made taramasalata and more.

“Elevated picnics have been a formative part of the past 18 months, and we think they’re here to stay,” says Pestalozzi. “Fsh Mkt shares a doorstep with Bondi’s newest park, so you can literally order your food, add a dozen oysters and some fresh prawns and catch the perfect amount of sun with friends. Fish is light, fresh, fun and dynamic – it’s the perfect protein for your pre- or post-swim needs.”

Dalah, Pestalozzi and Ettelson started Fishbowl in Bondi five years ago, serving Japanese-inspired salad bowls. The concept has since expanded to more than 20 locations across Sydney and Melbourne, and spawned cafe spin-off Side Room.

And the group isn’t slowing down. It has 13 new venues – including Fish Mkt and outposts of Fishbowl and Side Room – coming in the next 12 months.

Fsh Mkt is slated to open in mid-October 2021 at 87–89 Glenayr Avenue, Bondi Beach.

@fshmkt