Bondi Road's Panama House Has Moved Beachside

With another month of summer to go, Bondi Road's much-loved Latin American eatery has moved beachside. You'll find Panama House's new quarters in The Pacific, overlooking the sea, foregrounded by Campbell Parade.

Making the most of the view is a stunning glass balcony, dotted with wooden benches and bright, summery cushions. Inside, there's seating for 120 on leather banquettes and comfy chairs surrounding ironbark tables, as well as a marble kitchen. Local Jason Grant took care of the design.

In the kitchen, head chef Sean Kiely is busy with an all-day menu. Brunch, served until 4pm — for those days when you can't quite drag yourself from the beach — features the gumbo omelette (stuffed with prawns and chorizo and served on habanero corn bread with black beans and salsa verde), as well as the jalapeño rosti, made up of layers of guacamole, spinach, smoked mushrooms and a poached egg.

Come evening, the dishes are more about sharing. Go for chargrilled, Western Australian octopus with chorizo esquites and salsa verde or Jamaican jerk spatchcock with edamame beans, black beans, rocket, charred corn and chimichurri.

You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a match on the wine list, which includes 50 drops, all sourced from Australia and South America. As far as cocktails go, there's a bunch of jazzed-up classics, including the famous PH margarita.

Panama House is now open at 180 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach. It's open Monday to Saturday, 8am–11pm, and Sunday, 8am–10pm. For more info, visit panamahouse.com.au. 

Images: Richard Mortimer.