Bondi's Best Vegan Restaurant, Peppe's Italian

There are so many restaurants in Sydney, it can be hard to choose just one to book a table out for a night out. And out of all the fabulous places to try, who would guess that a 100% vegan restaurant would be at the top of the ranks?

Whether you're plant-based or not, though, Peppe's in Bondi is sure to delight.

I have passed by this inviting looking-restaurant on Bondi Road countless times, always trying to get a peek in and see more so that I could gauge whether the inside seemed up-to-par with the charming exterior. Eventually, the inviting-looking facade (and the rave reviews online) was enough to convince me.

Though I'm not plant-based, I made a booking to try this local favourite. After all, the place caught my eye before I knew it was an all-vegan Italian restaurant, and I'm not the only one. Many regulars of the establishment are quick to admit that they did the same. Sometimes when you see a cute restaurant that seems nice, it's tempting to try without any understanding of the menu options. Thankfully, in this case, you can't go wrong.

Inside, you immediately get an intimate feel from Peppe's. The dim-lit space is filled with two long wooden share-tables, lined with flowers and candles to perfect the cosy vibe. With only two other tables near the window and a few spots on the bar, this restaurant undoubtedly has limited capacity, but the tight quarters give the venue a warm and home-like feeling.

When I visited, Peppe's was only offering a degustation menu for bookings, priced at $65 per person. Unlike some other tasting menus, though, you get enough at this price to leave full and satisfied.

The set menu included warm olives to start with as well as polenta chips and arancini balls. The best part? A glass of wine was included. Whether you choose Sav Blanc or Syrah, all wines on offer are natural.

peppe's vega italian restaurant in bondi

For the second course, I was presented with a tough choice. When choosing mains, the given options included three different varieties of gnocchi, the restaurant's signature lasagne or a pasta special: A non-bolognese rigatoni when I visited.

My guest and I chose the latter two and really enjoyed the freshness of daily-made pasta and the classic yet deliciously cooked lasagne. Decent portions also made it a good value for the price, which is always a plus so far as set menus are concerned.

On the side, we received a salad of bitter greens with walnuts and radicchio, beautifully paired with Iggy's bread and olive oil.

For dessert, the restaurant's famous Tiramisu was the finale of the night, leaving a wonderful lasting impression that left me wanting to come back for more. It was hard to believe that the classic Italian dessert was vegan. It was so creamy and airy, it was indistinguishable from versions made with animal products. from the creaminess and airiness of it. As they say, the proof is in the pudding, and this dessert definitely convinced me that this plant-based spot will suit anyone.

With an hour and 15 minutes allocated to our sitting (as per COVID restrictions), we still had some time left. The relaxed vibe made us want to stay and finish on an excellent note, so we ordered the lemon myrtle gelato floating in limoncello to round things out.

The experience of both food and service was great. The ambience quaint and delightful for a dinner date or a catch up with a friend. We left wanting to come back soon to try the gnocchi and have another enjoyable evening.

It's safe to say that I'm adding this restaurant to my list of local go-to dinner restaurants.

You’d Never Guess This Bondi Eatery is Plant-Based