The Best Smashed Avo

By Ben Stephens.

Sydney has a lot of things; epic beaches, stunning sunrises, an annoying nightlife/state government battle and a pumping breakfast café scene that some Sydney-siders would argue is the best in the entire country, maybe even world. That is a very big call. Accepting that side of the argument would mean that the Bacon and Egg pie served at Tas’s Bakery in Dunsborough, Margaret River and the wonders that are on offer at No.4 in Robe South Australia, don’t match up to the goods of chow that is served in the New South Wales Capital… it’s definitely arguable though.

The Sydney massive spitting that kind of rhetoric has got me out bed early and into the breakfast food scene of late, in a bid to see ‘what’s good’… and I think I found it. What they must be talking about is the popular dish, where an avocado is broken down onto a piece of sourdough (or similar), matched with a number of sides that really bring the dish to life. It was a relatively hidden menu item until a couple of years ago, though now it’s everywhere and ranges from horrible to take me to heaven. So without any further ado, through my hard work and dedicated research, here are a handful of places I would highly recommend to order some ‘smashed avo’ around the Harbour City.

Boots Darling

Take a stroll up Oxford street, pop a left on South Dowling, you’ll feel like you have left the big city behind you. You’ll know when you get to Boots, there is a steady moving line that adorns the door during the morning hours. Boots Darling is a small in size fit out, however the wonders that come from the kitchen are packed full of freshness. The smashed avocado dish is no exception. Boots goes down on the list as being the most generous with the green goods, with each slice of toast receiving a solid 1cm thickness. Pop a poached egg or two on top for a slap of morning protein.

The Northside Bunker

Not actually in the City of Sydney, The Bunker can be found across the bridge in North Sydney. This little number stands out due to the use of feta, you need to taste this dish to really believe it. Anyone can add feta to the avo smash, but there is something about the one here that kind of makes your mouth go ‘whoa’. Maybe it’s because you just walked across the bridge and food would do that to you, or maybe it’s the balance of feta and avocado, I’ll let you be the judge on that.

Parlour Lane

It’s such an underground dish at Parlour, they haven’t even put it on the official menu, it’s that cool. Ground floor of QT Sydney, pull up a cheeky stool at the bar and ask the staff for the smashed goods, maybe just say smashed avocado, it might get confusing. It’s by far the simplest iteration of the dish I found. Two slices of Sonoma Sourdough, smashed up ripe avocado, a wedge of lemon and a sprig of mint. Keeping it simple works best here. Tie that in with an Allpress coffee and your day is ready to begin.

Pablo & Rusty

Find yourself a table before 8am, after that it’s an honest battle to grab one. Once you do manage to find yourself sitting, order that morning cup of joe and then without looking at the menu, order the Miso Mushroom dish with a side of avocado. ‘This dish isn’t smashed avo, who writes this tripe.’ Okay it was a stretch, but I wouldn’t mention it if it was rubbish. You have to trust me on this winner. The dish comes with poached eggs, a nice amount of rocket all built on a layer of sweet potato hummus (what!) with a thick slice of sourdough acting as the foundation. Sit back once you have engulfed.

So after hitting my maximum intake of avocado for the week, I feel that anyone of these dishes won’t let you down in the slightest. So get out there and enjoy those avocados.