Ruby's Diner

Killer coffee and a menu that tastes as good as good as it reads. Beaut. Plumb in the middle of Bronte Road Waverley, Ruby’s Diner has it all and it’s all local – they make their own syrup for the milkshakes (think Pulp Fiction’s $5 shake, for $5.50) and are in the lead pack for what might be Sydney’s tastiest burger too. Here it comes as a plump beef patty with vintage cheddar melted the proper way (on the burger on the grill), beetroot relish, tangy pickle and a bun that stays intact. The only annoying thing is the lack of chips on the side. Instead, you’re looking at a handful of smashed, garlic crusted baby potatoes which are fine in themselves, but not quite right next to so marvellous a burger.

Owner/manager Ed Devlin keeps it all in the family (the diner is named for his four-year-old daughter) via a close-knit corp of suppliers: bread from Waterloo organic bakery Sonoma (the poached chicken sandwich with basil mayo and pickled cucumbers is a cracker) and coffee supplied by Sydney brewers and shakers, Single Origin. If you need a big hit of black magic, get Ed to make you a ristretto – it’s like an espresso on crack. They also have organic fizzy drinks and natural juices plus a bunch of daily-changed desserts from the “O” Organics crew such as thumb sized Jaffa cakes and tarts made by Devlin’s wife, food stylist Emma Knowles. The dynamic duo designed the interiors, right down to the light bulbs, while Bondi local Steve Smith concieved and painted the feature wall – a giant sailor-style tattoo, complete with swallows. Make your way to the toilets and you’ll be walking down a giant winding iron staircase to the very guts of the building following Ruby tattoo signs all the way down. Saturday mornings sitting back listening to soft dub in the company of a big juicy burger at this end of town has been too long anticipated and so the arrival of Ruby D’s is pure relief.