Bondi’s Volume One Does Things Differently: Magazines, Simple Food and Free Counselling

Avo toast and Bondi go together like, well, avo toast and Bondi. But at Volume One on Curlewis Street three Brits are shaking up the Aussie cafe as we know it.

“We wanted to build something a little bit different in Bondi … something that isn’t overcomplicated,” co-owner Oscar Dilke says. “[Volume One] is a safe space with good atmosphere and good music.” And free counselling.

Brothers Oscar and Max Dilke, and their mate Drew Jones, opened Volume One in late 2025, with the team taking some time off to pause and care for their staff and community in the wake of the Bondi Beach attack in December. Now, as the year kicks into gear, they’re stepping things up a notch and refining the basics.

“People are creatures of habit. They do the same things, simple things all the time,” Oscar says. “Basic can really have an impact on people.” The physical space has been intentionally kept quite minimal – white walls, metal tables. And the menu – by chef Filip Svoboda – focuses on wholefoods that are simple but flavourful.

“We’ve kept the kitchen really open. And the reason why is so people feel like they can talk to the chef if they want to [or] talk to the barista.”

The one noticeable piece of decor is a curated magazine wall, which you can buy from to add to your own stack at home. From indie zines to iconic titles, the collection changes up frequently but centres on fashion, music and culture publications.

Daytime service has won locals over by nailing coffee, matcha and brunch favourites. Beans are St Ali, the bread is Iggy’s, and bowls of chia pudding join Bircher muesli. Scrambled eggs arrive dressed in house-made sambal chilli oil. House-baked banana bread is toasted then topped with seasonal accompaniments (currently it’s zingy yuzu curd, jam and a glossy caramelised banana). Poached eggs come Turkish-style, with garlicky yoghurt and herbs. And, of course, there’s avo toast – with more of that chilli oil.

From Wednesday to Sunday, Volume’s lights go down and the doors stay open till late – with beer, wine and cocktails served alongside small plates. The latest iteration of the evening menu, which launched this week, features snacks like warm bread with whipped butter and marinated olives, as well as more substantial plates, including fried chicken and a 300-gram steak dressed in red wine jus, chilli butter and a herby chimichurri.

“If you come in the evening, the lighting is different, there’s a new playlist and the environment completely changes. But with the same atmosphere of, ‘You’re welcome here’.”

Oscar’s put his background in the fitness industry to use, carefully shaping the atmosphere, paying particular attention to the music. “When I started travelling at 18, in South America and Southeast Asia, I started taking down song names. I made a playlist called ‘my cafe’ and it always related to the people I’d met, the food I’d tasted and the experiences that came alongside it,” he says. “It’s about being able to understand people and what mood they’re in. How to welcome them and make them feel safe in an environment they might not be as comfortable in.”

This idea of safety and compassion is a core theme for Volume One. Since November, the team has offered free Monday-night counselling sessions for anyone who has lost a family member. Group therapy is facilitated by a professional therapist, and the cost is covered by the cafe. This level of care for people is something that’s only become clearer in recent months.

“Mondays are always going to be a space for us to give back and make sure we’re looking after our community.”

Volume One
83 Curlewis Street, Bondi Beach

Hours:
Mon & Tue 7am–2pm
Wed to Fri 7am–2pm, 5pm–11pm
Sat 7am–11pm
Sun 7am–10pm

@volume1bondi