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It’s not all just sun and sand!  Australia’s premier food blogger, Lorraine Elliot - aka ‘Not Quite Nigella’ - fills us in on the top must try dishes in Bondi Beach, Sydney.

AUSTRALIA: Sydney’s Bondi Beach location is a food lover’s dream. And, if you’re staying at the Adina Apartment Hotel Bondi Beach Sydney, you won't have to go far from your little enclave on Hall Street to get your fill of Sydney's best food.  Here are 10 fabulous places to eat and their must eat dishes:

Blanca

Blanca is a fine dining restaurant - except it's fine dining Bondi style without tablecloths, pretension and attitude. The restaurant’s two chefs are from Finland and Australia and have given the food an international feel so expect intriguing combinations with a Mediterranean bent. Their most famous dishes are the black buns made with squid ink and filled with the crunchiest soft-shell crab. The bonito also rates a high mention not just for its sheer beauty but for its clever treatment of this fish. Location: Best accessed from O'Brien Street, Bondi or ground level, The Hub, 75-79 Hall St, Bondi Beach

Bondi's Best

There is nothing quite like eating fresh seafood metres from the ocean and Bondi's Best is all about seafood.  The sushi is fantastic (try the Snow Roll or Aburi Salmon) but, if you're looking for something more substantial, try the Patagonian toothfish. This is a fish often on endangered lists but here they use sustainable Glacier51 Patagonian toothfish fished off the shores of Western Australia. It is marinated in miso, served with smoked potato mash, daikon and shiitake mushroom salad, tobiko roe and orange sauce – delicious!  Location: Lower Ground, The Hub, 75-79 Hall St, Bondi Beach

Pasticceria Papa

For those uninitiated with the Papa cheesecake cult, there's a layer of pastry on the top and bottom and a creamy, light citrus scented creamy ricotta filling inside. The small one feeds 6-8 and is around $27… and if you love it, you can just go ahead and buy a whole cheesecake. No judgement here! Location: Lower Ground, The Hub, 75-79 Hall St, Bondi Beach

Gelato Messina

Gelato Messina is a much-loved Bondi Beach institution with queues out the door and down the street, even in the middle of Sydney’s mild winter. Specials change every week and the hardest thing really is choosing what to order. So, let me help: the three most popular flavours (available all year round) are the salted caramel with white chocolate chip, chocolate fondant and salted coconut and mango.  Location: Heaven awaits almost directly below Adina Bondi Beach at 61 Hall St, Bondi Beach.

China Diner

China Diner loves Adina guests! If you’re staying with us at Bondi Beach, you can enjoy free takeaway delivery straight to the hotel seven-nights-a-week. Make sure you try their Massaman beef curry, Queensland scallops with Vietnamese shallot dressing, crispy dumpling platter or Alaskan king crab legs with noodles in XO sauce. Location: 77-79 Hall St, Bondi Beach

A Tavola

A tavola means “At the table” and if you ask any regular what their favourite dish is chances are that it will probably involve their pappardelle with ragu - a constant on the menu. This is most often paired with a red cabbage salad, a glass of wine and complimentary downy soft slices of focaccia bread with chilli oil.  Tip: don't opt for takeaway as the whole Italian experience is best at the table (hence the name A Tavola). Location: 73-75 Hall St, Bondi Beach

Can Cava

It's all about Spanish Pintxos, you know those bar friendly snacks that are often served on toothpicks?  But the standout dish at Can Cava is toothpick free. It's the tuna tartare on potato chip with slender threads of red capsicum on top. I dare you to stop at one! Location: 101 Hall St, Bondi Beach 

Hooked on Poke

Bondi is a health-conscious suburb and healthy food is always popular with the locals - there are, after all, bikinis to get into come summertime! Hooked on Poke (poke meaning chopped, usually raw fish, a concept from Hawaii) is a ‘build your own poke bowl’ concept, starting with rice or salad, a choice of fish or chicken and you’re a selection of toppings. Can't decide? Get one of their “HOP favourites”, a list of 5 pre-selected bowls - the spicy tuna is a winner! Location: 149 Glenayr Ave, Bondi Beach 

Gertrude & Alice Bookshop

Tea for two? Looking for a refuge from the hive of activity in and around Bondi Beach? Slip into Gertrude and Alice bookshop (named after Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas). You can buy a new or second-hand book, or you can stop for a cup of Alice's Famous Spiced Chai - a delightful and aromatic drink paired with one of their spelt scones served warm with butter and jam. You’ll marvel at how fast times flies with a book and afternoon tea! Location: 46 Hall St, Bondi Beach 

Bill's

Bill Granger's restaurant – Bill’s - has become one of those must-try Sydney experiences - and it isn't just for visitors, as locals queue for tables. The menu has a range of brunch goodies, but the two classics are the ricotta hot cakes and the big breakfast with Bill’s famous creamy scrambled eggs. It's simple fare that you could easily make at home (which is probably why his cookbooks sell like...well ricotta hot cakes!) but it’s done well with a friendly atmosphere and service. Location: 79 Hall St, Bondi Beach 

And here’s one from us - well, one from Will Smith - which we think is the perfect way to end your stay at Adina Bondi Beach.

Porch and Parlour

The Men in Black star caused quite a stir when he posted this glowing review about Porch and Parlour.  In Will’s words: “Okay... I ABSOLUTELY HATE when people post pictures of food! BUT... this damn Green Pea Pancake at Porch & Parlour in Bondi Beach, Australia... It Broke Me, Y’all.” Location: 110 Ramsgate Avenue, Bondi Beach

About the author: Lorraine Elliot travels the world looking high and low for the best food and travel experiences, sharing them with her loyal following on Not Quite Nigella.