I love Aussie cafes. In NYC, I spend all of my time at local hotspots The Butcher’s Daughter, Ruby’s, Bluestone Lane, and Dudley’s, and when I moved to LA, I couldn’t have timed it more perfectly… The Butcher’s Daughter opened an outpost in Venice! Well, the Aussie cafes are on the rise here in Los Angeles too, as seen through Santa Monica’s latest addition, Bondi Harvest. With a home in Bondi, Guy Turland and the team are bringing a bit of Bondi to Santa Monica…
Yes Aussie cafes are known for their toasts, but they are also known for their many gluten-free items too! A few items are exclusive to the breakfast menu, which is served from 7-11:30AM, but several breakfast items are served all day. If you make it to the cafe early in the day, you MUST try the Quinoa Breakfast Pudding. Made with coconut infused quinoa, acai, and gluten-free granola, this dish is creamy, filling, and delicious. For a similar styled dish that’s served all day, the acai breakfast bowl is essentially the same, just minus the coconut quinoa! For lunch, the most popular bowl on the menu is the Whirley’s Bowl! This bowl consists of chimichurri dressed cauliflower rice and it is topped with mahi mahi, slaw, avocado, and yogurt tartar. The result? A filling bowl that is full of color and nutrition! My friends and I also ordered the maple roasted brussels sprouts and squash, and we rounded out our meal with the Floret Salad. Unfortunately, Bondi doesn’t serve any gluten-free bread, so the toasts and sandwiches are a no-go, but you won’t miss them after you devour all of your bowls!
With a chill vibe and great food, I will definitely be back again. My friends and I often joke that food is always best out of a bowl, and the gluten-free bowl options at Bondi Harvest are not to be missed!