Conceived in a lockdown as a love letter to lazy summer days, Glory Days is Bondi’s answer to the nostalgic European holidays Australians adore. Not another tourist café, but rather a space that expresses the duality of the city beach lifestyle that is Sydney. 

The interior is an eclectic mix of textured and coloured stone with burnt reds and soft greens reminiscent of the Australian landscape. A red travertine bar snakes around the compact space, creating a takeaway window and a lively back bar with views to the kitchen. Repeated iterations of white piping details appear in seat cushions, tile edges and scalloped umbrella trims. The clay-tiled banquette is offset with woven dining chairs on a white tube frame complemented with patinated vintage lighting for that effortlessly cool Bondi vibe. 

COX balances respect for the heritage building with the creation of a space that feels contemporary of its place. Arched heritage windows are a constant reminder of the character of the Pavilion, where sunlight streams through and dances across the gloss and matte textures. Outside, the exterior terrace is furnished with sandy stone tables and teak and linen chairs—a perfect place to catch Bondi’s famous sunrises, hazy summer afternoons and slow sunsets.