Gertrude & Alice

A bookish bolthole just shy of body-conscious Bondi Beach, this newly licensed cafe offers an escape from the madding crowd, with Campos coffee, excellent chai or T2 tea and more than 25, 000 second-hand titles. The menu may not feature Alice B. Toklas's famed hashish fudge, but no-nonsense dishes - a hearty haloumi and borlotti bean salad, lush vegie lasagne and a heart-starter bacon-and-egg roll, to name a few - shine. Pick a display-case treat and a pre-loved paperback on your way out, or sign up for an evening literary discussion, book signing or wine-tasting event that may include canapes and authors in conversation (see the website for ticket prices and bookings).