Gertrude & Alice Cafe, Bondi

I can be found wandering 'round Bondi beach on Thursday evenings whilst my son is dancing up a storm with the TapPups. In summer - this is wonderful and busy, in spring & autumn it's even better when it's not as hot and there's not quite the crowds. In winter, well it's great - really only the locals. The downside, I discovered, is that when the people disappear so do all my favourite cafes - they just shut earlier and earlier, and that makes having a late coffee rather tricky!

Then I discovered this fabulous bookshop! I found it in the middle of winter, on a rainy afternoon-evening. With it's cafe serving coffee, cake and food into the evening - when it's cold and/or wet outside, this is the place to be. Oh, and you might even pickup a book, have a read, possibly buy a book or two - or even just strike up a conversation with someone around you.

The best place to sit is the comfy lounge inside - but it's only by a stroke of luck that you'll get that spot as everyone seems to want it.

If it's not winter - you can sit outside - but my personal favourite is to pick a spot at one of the long tables, where you can sit, surrounded by books to choose from and enjoy a Campos coffee & a sticky date pudding cake (although I don't think these are on the menu now - might be a winter thing). Lots of other things on the menu to try - and a great place to wile away some time.

Where is it?

Gertrude & Alice Cafe Bookstore

46 Hall Street,

Bondi Beach

www.gertrudeandalice.com.au

Lyne Park Cafe, Rose Bay

I like this little cafe. More outdoor than indoor and not so much off the beaten track but in a busy park. There's tennis courts, children's playgrounds, open park space, harbourside beaches, a sailing club, kayaks for hire, seaplanes and a major road all around this cafe - but it can be still be peaceful and definately somewhere you can relax. When you can escape to the 'upper deck' to have your coffee and whatever bite to eat takes your fancy - it's pretty perfect.

If you're lucky one of our fabulous Bondi Lifeguards will be behind the counter and making the coffee - and tell you it really is totally crazy at Bondi beach in summer! But seriously, I couldn't go past the organic fruit & nut bread (toasted) and a latte (of course) - but only 'cause I'd already had a good breaky and the kayaking we'd just done wasn't enough to justify the eggs. Next time.

So - stop in for a game of tennis, or just have a coffee - whatever you choose, here's where to go:

Lyne Park Cafe

@ the Lyne Park Tennis Centre
Lyne Park

New South Head Road

Rose Bay