Now Open: Belles Hot Chicken Has Finally Brought Its Nashville-Style Chicken to Bondi

It's going to be a spicy summer in Bondi this year with the arrival of one of the country's beloved hot chicken chains. Belles Hot Chicken has built a passionate fanbase — and landed on our favourite Sydney fried chicken spots — through its Circular Quay, Glebe and Barangaroo eateries in Sydney, alongside multiple Melbourne venues. Now, it has hit the Harbour City's east with an inaugural Bondi outpost on Hall Street.

The Belles team has transformed the former site of Fonda into a 60s- and 70s-inspired American-style diner serving up all of the chain's favourites.

Four kilometres of natural Australian timber has gone into the venue, lining the walls and ceilings. Adding to the throwback energy are retro floor tiles and stained-glass lampshades reminiscent of old all-you-can-eat Pizza Huts.

The menu features plenty of fried chook, available in the signature spice levels ranging from Original to Really F**kin Hot — plus chicken sandwiches, crinkle-cut fries, buffalo cauliflower and top-notch beverages.

The drinks selection is always a highlight at Belles Bondi, with playful cocktails, top-shelf spirits, a refreshing house lager, natty wines and boozy slushies all mainstays across the Melbourne and Sydney locations. If the pairing of spicy fried chicken sandwiches and spiked whisky slushies by the beach on a hot summer's day sounds like an absolute match made in heaven, you are not alone.

There are some notable additions to the beverage menu for Bondi. If you're a high roller, you can enjoy a glass of Pappy Van Winkle 15-year for a casual $85 a shot; the wine list features everything from funky pét-nats to vintage Dom Perignon; the cocktail range has been given a retro revamp with the addition of long island iced tea and piña colada milkshakes; and there's a range of shots on offer to kick off the weekend.

Sydney's east has been known to be a little cliquey at times, so in order to win over the locals, Belles is offering 20.26 percent off all items for any Bondi residents for its first 20 days of trade. All you have to do is flash your ID proudly displaying the 2026 postcode on it.

Belles Bondi is the latest edition to the vibrant culinary precinct that is Hall Street, joining the likes of Da Orazio, bills and the recently-revamped China Diner, as well as nearby favourites like the Bondi outpost of Chaco Ramen and sunny brewery bar Curly Lewis.

Belles Hot Chicken Bondi is now open at 85 Hall Street, Bondi Beach — operating from 11.30am–9pm Wednesday–Thursday and Sunday, and 11.30am–10.30pm Friday–Saturday.

Images: Pat Stevenson.