Following the opening of its first restaurant-style venue in Circular Quay this March, Belles Hot Chicken has taken the format beachside.

The just-opened Bondi outpost of the cult-followed chicken joint has overhauled the entire vibe of the former Fonda Mexican space, just metres from the beach. It’s Belles’ fourth Sydney spot since the chain was launched in Melbourne’s Fitzroy in 2014 by chefs Morgan McGlone and Aaron Turner (who’ve both since left the business).

The fit-out channels a 1960s American beachside diner and was spearheaded by in-house designer Vicki Punch. The once-pale-blue exterior has been overhauled with vintage-looking square brown tiles, while neutral-toned awnings stripe overhead. Inside, there’s wall-to-ceiling timber and custom glass lampshades – reminiscent of the Pizza Hut days – by Melbourne’s Fools Glass. Leather booths join chrome ceiling fans, with black chequerboard tiling underfoot. DJ decks hint at late nights to come.

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Despite the new location, the food remains faithful to signatures. There are the fried chicken tenders, thighs and wings, served as the original or with your choice of spice mix: Chicken Salt, Traveller, Hot, Really Hot or Really F**kin Hot. There’s also a bumper Nashville-style chicken sandwich with sides of slaw, potato and gravy, and mac’n’cheese, plus share plates of pickle-loaded fries, buffalo cauliflower bites and more for the table.

“We firmly believe in the philosophy of doing a few things and doing them really well,” Belles managing director Joss Jenner-Leuthart tells Broadsheet. “So rather than adding lots to our menu and overcomplicating it, we stay in our lane, which is comfort food.”

He adds that a few dishes will come and go depending on the season, like a chicken alternative that’s been in the works for two years and a “pretty kickass” salad. “But don’t expect it to be a kale and quinoa alternative,” he says.

In addition to its usual natural wines and boozy slushies, Belles Bondi is bringing spins on classic cocktails, like a tequila-fuelled Long Island Iced Tea and an Aperol Spritz that adds pét-nat to the mix. Behind the bar, a milkshake machine will offer a changing roster of flavours – the first will be a take on a Pina Colada, with the option to have it spiked or booze-free.

While the focus so far for Belles has been on Melbourne and Sydney, the team has its sights set on Adelaide, where a store is slated to open by early next year. “We want to make sure that we show up with integrity and authenticity, that it’s right for the area and right for the community,” Jenner-Leuthart says.

Belles Hot Chicken Bondi Beach
85 Hall Street, Bondi Beach

Hours
Wed to Sun 11.30am–late (Mon to Sun from Nov)

belleshotchicken.com
@belleshotchicken