MELBOURNE | Tucked away behind the skyscrapers of Southbank, you’ll find signs of what the area used to look like. The heritage listed Jones Bond Store buildings are one. They date back to the 1860s and are one of the few remaining links with Southbank’s industrial and maritime past.
The Bond Store is a cafe that’s housed inside one of these buildings. Manager Andy Bonnici and the team have been keeping those in the know fed and caffeinated with a smile for over 17 years. I recently popped in to grab some photos for What’s on Melbourne.
It’s a warm, low-lit space with a fitout is respectful to the heritage aspect of the building. Red brick floors and walls, combine with cast-iron columns and a timber roof and furnishings to create a space that’s brimming with character.
The menu is a reminder of the kind of cafe menu that made Melbourne’s brunch scene renowned in the first place. Classics done right, with thoughtful, rather than superfluous flourishes, made with quality ingredients sourced from independent local growers and producers. Breakfast is served all day, with a few sandwiches and toasties added to the menu at lunch.
Smashed miso avocado is served with with fetta, cherry tomatoes, roasted hazelnuts, roquette, beetroot hummus, and two poached eggs on toast. Chilli scrambled eggs are served inside a flaky croissant with goats cheese, fresh chilli, and siracha mayonnaise. House muesli comes with honey, cinnamon, vanilla yoghurt, seasonal fruit, and flapjack crumble.
To drink, there’s great espresso and filter based coffee with a selection of milks, fresh pressed juices, tea, thick shakes, and a rotating selection of local and European wine and beer.
The Bond Store
1 Riverside Quay
Southbank
Victoria 3003
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9686 9007
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Mon – Fri: 7:00am to 4:00pm
Sat: 7:00am to 3:00pm
Sun: 8:00am to 3:00pm