This small roadside diner is more Eastern Suburbs cafe than anything else; and that is a good thing. The food is fresh and expertly cooked, the coffee is Single Origin and the place is as kid friendly as it probably can be given it's small size and location.
That is to say it's on a busy road and the interior is narrow so no room for prams inside. But it's fine for the walking toddler so long as they don't need a high chair (there are none).
There is a kids' dinner menu which is fun and a little gourmet; home made chicken nuggets (kind of mini schnitzels) and fries ($7), spaghetti with shaved parmesan and butter ($5). The kids' lunch includes cheese on toast but I'm not sure why they serve it on white sliced bread and not one of the other great bread options on the regular menu.
For dinner, the tables are covered in butcher's paper with pencils supplied. There are no baby change facilites and be warned there is long spiral staircase to descend to get to the toilet.
The food for grown ups is very tasty, generous, freshly cooked and all mains are under $20. Three of us sampled the beef burger with pickles, vintage cheddar and beetroot (home cooked) served on ciabatta triangles. The salt and pepper squid was accompanied by a zingy lime aioli and gorgeous little cucumber salad with an Asian dressing. One of our party also had chicken breast with corn and buttermilk which was also enjoyed.
The dessert menu included vanilla pannacotta, affogato and waffles with raspberry coulis but none of us could fit it in and the kids were starting to lose it.
Dinner service was alot happier than I've experienced there during the day.
Ruby's Diner is open for dinner in summer only; Thursday - Saturday night from 6pm and is BYO ($2 corkage pp).
173 Bronte Road, Waverley
Lots of online reviews including Time Out rating it one of Sydney's top five burger joints.
