The Real Bondi Beach

Classy and well priced, this vintage store in Curlewis Street has some of the nicest vintage clothes for boys and gals. Its been there for about three years -- small, … exclusive, and great selection. If you like your clothes cute amongst all the little accessories on offer, then this is the place for you. [link]

In the heart of Gould Street and quite overpriced sits the Earth Food Store. They used to have one store in Gould Street, then they expanded taking up most of the street. … If you're feeling down, go for the wake up juice or the ginseng mungbean carrot and cauliflower smoothie! But seriously, they make some very nice vegan snacks and offer wholesome organic shopping. [link]

This strange and intimate store also sits in the back streets of Bondi, almost on the highway of Old South Head Road. It's been here forever, and herein lies the beauty … of the place: Through all the horrible development that Bondi has endured, this store has sat through it all, relentlessly catering to the comic and novelty freaks. It's a fun store and very inconspicuous, but if you get around that area be sure to check out the surrounding shops too. [link]

In the backstreets of Bondi lies a very innovative Swedish design shop; they sell all the latest furniture and design goods from Scandinavia. This store sits in the … background of Bondi, so not many people know about it. It's great for everything modern, and if you have the dough, you can turn your house into a lush minimal abode. [link]

On a Sunday, there is no better place to be in Bondi than the overcrowded and yet relaxing Bondi Markets. These markets are fun for the bargain hunter and boutique seeker … alike. People sell off all their old housewares, and you can also find the usual market goods such as candles, jewelry, records, and antiques. But best of all, this market has a golden circle -- if you go deep inside, you'll find a small square full of great vintage clothes and secondhand goods. [link]

This record store is one of the saving graces of Bondi, sitting right on the beach on Campbell Parade. It's an unlikely record store, as it caters to every music taste possible and not just the Israeli/Indian backpackers who love trance and the Scandinavian backpackers obsessed with doof doof and tech house. It's got some really great … records, specializing in good jazz, electronic, and country. [link]

This fish and chip shop created what has become a mythical tale in Bondi; my brother swears that he initiated this idea by offering it to owner George Soros. Yes, it's … the one and only fried Mars bar -- battered, fried, and oozing hot chocolate sauce, it's more commonly known as the coronary bar. "You can't do that to a Mars bar !" people cried. But you can! [link]