Gertrude & Alice Cafe

Grabbed a nice deep rich coffee. While waiting for takeaway took a walk through a very cool tight bookstore with books stacked to the ceiling. Great atmosphere

For any book and coffee lover this is the place for you! Welcoming and fast-working staff who are always happy to recommend books or make you a brilliant coffee to start the day. A Bondi staple that everyone simply must experience! Thanks G&A - Harry

Coffee is great, atmosphere and interior is great, but service (friendliness!) need to be lifted up.

Today I ordered and paid for a coffee in advance like everybody. Waited for nearly 15 minutes and a no show. Asked where’s my coffee then only found out there’s none. Apparently there was a system glitch or an order mess up. I was standing there for whole time and the barista did not bother to check on customers at all though it wasn’t busy. Staff could be more attentive and courteous. Luckily coffee was not bad.

Is one of the only spots in Bondi to sit down and chill, just a bit annoying that if it’s busy you’ll get probably adviced to leave if you’re not consuming more food / drinks.

I’ve been twice in a week. Good coffee and vibe. Lovely place you should go if visiting Bondi beach.

Friendly and obliging service. Very prompt delivery after ordering online from Brisbane. Ordered Tuesday arrived Thursday!

Ordered over the interwebs, received prompt communication, prompt shipping across country to Perth and a lovely handwritten note on my selection. Great shopping experience.

A real touch of Bondi. Support this local business and their aweosne book store/coffee shop!

I've reviewed this venue before, so rather than provide another rating, I will offer a short guide on how to best enjoy time at this unique but often very busy establishment. The first point is to be reasonable in balancing your orders against the amount of time you intend staying. This isn't corporate Starbucks where nobody cares if you spend 5 hours on your laptop for one cup of coffee. This is a small family owned business and while it's reasonable to expect hospitality - charity is something altogether different. There is nothing more uncomfortable for staff or clients than issuing a request to leave. So at the least, if settling in for a long read, keep your orders ticking over.
Secondly - don't downplay the bookstore element. If you are after a particular book or genre, don't be afraid to ask for help and you will probably be pleasantly surprised at the expertise of staff.
Lastly - Covid has greatly impacted the tourist clientele of G&A. This will almost certainly shortly change and the cafe will return to crowded trade. So get in now while there is a bit more space

Amazing coffee place! I could stay here for hours enjoying good coffee and amazing vibes! The staff is super friendly!

Cute place, but unfortunately the staff wasn’t as nice to my friend. She was ask to leave the table even that there was plenty vacant seats. She was reading a book (who would expected that in a bookstore? !) waiting for a group of friends to arrive when the waiter told her she couldn’t be there.disappointing

My most favourite cafe / bookshop / second home in the world. So much so that I moved 90 mins away and still make the trip down with my little ones every few weeks for a pot or two of their famous chai tea (their muffins and pastries also make an excellent accompaniment to their chai). All of my favourite books have been purchased here, as well as all my kids books. All the staff have made me feel like family over the years and I wish I still lived just around the corner. Thankful they sell bags of their chai so I can still get my hit on mornings at home.

So disappointed. Today I ordered a chai latte and was super hot almost burned my tongue. Also expensive $7.22. I complained about it and the the staff started laughing at me. I couldn’t believe it. This place use to be great, not anymore.
The staff didn’t apologize and only added cold milk. Was the most disgusting chai that I had.: (

We have come to Australia for three months. In the first month my husband Richard and myself have gone through 8 books all purchase from Gertrude and Alice. We cannot keep away from this wonderful spiritual cafe/bookshop. I see magic at work in here. People who have never met get into lengthy conversations. A place of comfort and welcoming. The staff are amazing and so knowledgeable.
As soon as you walk through the door you are leaving the hum drum of life behind.
Thank you Jane for this wonderful soulful sanctuary.

Without a doubt the best spot in Bondi. They host wonderful events, have a wide selection of books and if the one you’re looking for isn’t there they will get for you (either new or second hand). A must visit for anyone coming to Bondi

Gertrude & Alice is an absolutely beautiful cafe and bookshop! It's such a cosy space with a wonderful range, fantastic coffee and food, and such delightful, friendly staff. Love this place, and can't recommend a visit highly enough

I've just returned from enjoying morning tea and book browsing in this treasured Bondi icon. We are truly blessed our little bookstore cafe has survived the COVID times and fully reopened. The coffee was great and I have fantastic new and second hand books to read. As I made my purchases, a staff member recommended a new book based on my past purchases. I couldn't resist! They know and care about their customers. We feel the same towards them.

One of my favourite places in Bondi! It’s so cute and cosy inside, sitting amongst the collection of books whilst having a strong almond latte. The family and staff running the bookshop are so cool and quirky and helpful, I really adore this place? P.s. My favourite thing on the menu is the ‘old school roll’, a must-try!

Love this bookshop! The staff were so helpful during lockdown, replying to Instagram posts at all hours with suggestions and help!