Topikós

From the makers of Shell House and The Dolphin comes Topikós, a slick Greek bar and restaurant occupying the corner where Bondi Beach Public Bar used to be.

Interior stylist Anna Hewitt has harnessed light blue hues, custom-made ceramic light fixtures and rattan chairs to set the scene. Adding a bit of edge to the aesthetic is a fun blue and yellow, Picasso-esque mural by Kiama artist Mikey Freedom (artist-in-residence at Shell House), as well as a marble mosaic chef’s bench installed opposite the roughly rendered banquet seating that runs the length of the 80-seat dining room. The exterior, decaled with the Greek key pattern, is striking on approach.

While the atmosphere at Topikós is certainly casual, executive chef Danny Corbett’s menu features elevated takes on dishes you might find holidaying in the Greek Islands. The offering varies between the main dining room and the lively bar area, but both are open for all-day dining seven days a week, and serve meze favourites such as saganaki dressed with honey and black pepper, and taramasalata (order house-made puffy pita bread to swipe through the pink roe dip). Those in the dining room might order heartier dishes such as slow-cooked lamb shoulder with pomegranate glaze and tirokafteri (feta dip), and Hapuka steamed in vine leaf.

The wine list offers a good mix of drops from Greece, Italy, France and Australia. Plus, there’s an all-day cocktail list that includes a spicy watermelon Margarita and a spiked Greek iced coffee with shavings of nutmeg and a dollop of fresh cream, perfect for enjoying while people-watching from the promenade seating.