NOW EXPERIENCING:Icebergs Dining Room and Bar
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Icebergs Dining Room and Bar

Thursday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach, NSW, 2026
Phone
(02) 9365 9000
Website
idrb.com
Instagram
@icebergsdiningroomandbar

Read time 4 Mins

Posted 26 May 2023

By
Matty Hirsch

The splashy bar at this glamorous Bondi institution is a celebration of Sydney high life, with cocktails inspired as much by the timeless Italian playbook as the sparkling beachside setting.

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar interior
Why you goVery few establishments have the power to make any and every occasion feel like a special one. The fact Icebergs Dining Room and Bar has managed to do it for two decades and counting says a lot about the magnetism of the place. This is, after all, as rare as hospitality real estate gets, overlooking one of the world's most recognisable swimming pools and the entirety of Bondi Beach. But where some places might be happy to trade on views alone, Icebergs gives you plenty of reasons to focus on the action in the narrow, aqua-tinted room. Though there’s certainly a lot to be said for a modern-Italian three-course meal in the restaurant on the right-hand side, the bar to the left offers its own set of thrills – none of which sacrifice anything in the way of quality or detail. 
Why you stayNo matter when you drop by, you always get the feeling that Icebergs is the place to be – and that's pretty much been the case since stopless veteran restaurateur Maurice Terzini opened the joint back in 2002. He understands the elements that make for a crackling atmosphere, from eye-catching branding and ultra-chic uniforms down to the local hand soap and opera music that plays in the loos. He also knows great Aussie produce and top-tier talent when he sees it, which goes a long way to explaining the venue's enduring relevance and consistent level of quality across the board. After a highly publicised seven-month renovation in 2022, the space now looks sharper than ever and the energy of the fashionable crowd – a lively mix of glamazons, sun-kissed locals, tourists and the odd celeb – is at an all-time high. 
Scenic ocean view at the Icebergs Dining Room and Restaurant
Refreshing cocktails at the Icebergs Dining Room and Bar
What drink to orderThe No 8, which has been a fixture on the list from the very start, encapsulates Icebergs more than any other cocktail. A fussy drink it ain’t – just vodka, Campari and fluffy, freshly squeezed ruby-red grapefruit juice – but it’s perfectly balanced and proof that simplicity never fails. The rest of the seasonally informed cocktails tread a similar path, inspired as much by the timeless Italian playbook as the beachside setting. The bar menu’s wine selection, meanwhile, might appear trim at first, but the hack is to ask for the kick-ass restaurant list, which spotlights low-intervention Italo-Australian gear and runs to nearly 500 labels.
What to pair it withIcebergs may be a fine-diner through and through, but that's not to say it doesn't excel at more casual fare. As far as epic bar snacks go, it’s hard to top the gamberetti – a clutch of lightly dusted Clarence River school prawns with dangerously good aïoli alongside. Skip them at your peril. If you’re seeking more of a meal, you’ll want to wrap your hands around the Iceburger. This is a burger that understands the assignment: a hefty, thoroughly seasoned beef patty in a Martin’s potato bun topped with sharp melted cheese, tangy special sauce and all the trimmings. Exactly what you want, in other words, after a long afternoon in the surf.
Food and drinks pairing at the Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, Australia
Regular’s tipIt goes without saying that sunset here is the stuff of dreams, so time your visit accordingly – especially if a local DJ is jogging the wheels. You’ll need to get in extra early for a coveted balcony spot or window-side table, but there really isn’t a dud seat in the house. And if you’re looking to take your self-care regimen to a whole new level, preface your Martini with a saltwater swim and sauna – for only $9 – in the public pool complex downstairs.
Delicious food at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar
Make it fancyGiven an everyday lager sets you back $15, it's safe to say pretty much everything on offer is big-ticket business. This is a place designed for living large, and you can honour that spirit – quite literally – with a $500 bottle of limited-edition Belvedere vodka. Of course, that calls for caviar, so why not throw in an extra $95 for a 10-gram tin of N25 Oscietra from China’s Yunnan Province?
Who to takeYou’d be hard-pressed to find anyone foolish enough to turn down an invitation to Icebergs. While there’s certainly no shame in ducking by for a quick schooner, it’s in your best interests to link up with the people in your squad who, in terms of time and money spent, are keen to get gussied-up and go the distance. Make your bank balance tomorrow’s problem, and make it a session to remember.
image credits: Nikki To, Steven Woodburn.
Authour image
Matty HirschMatty Hirsch is a Sydney-based writer, critic and editor whose work has appeared in Time Out, Delicious and Gourmet Traveller.
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Drinks DirectoryGreat tunesRecently openedTop notch wine listKiller cocktailsSydneyNon-alc OptionsRestaurantSydney – EastOutdoor areaVego Food OptionsWheelchair accessibleBar
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