The Hamlet is the place if you’re in the mood for a quick, inexpensive bite to eat.

Property developer Nick Bulum has created an intriguing communal food and retail space with something for everyone.

I popped by the bright-red BrodDog’s van and perched on an elevated bar stool chair overlooking all The Hamlet happenings.

Gourmet hot dogs and veggie dogs, there are nine varieties on the menu. Meat lovers choose the breed of dog (Vienna frankfurt, spicy Kransky or pork-free), then the size (big dog or puppy dog) and then the style, depending on your preference for toppings. Sides are $4.50 to $6, and feature chilli chips, cheesy chips and even cheesy chilli chips, all of which are a moment on the lips and a lifetime on the hips.

I went for the puppy size American dog and it was bloody good with its straightforward range of toppings – pickles, onions, corn relish, ketchup and mustard ($5.50). My side of fries was great, too.

BrodDog doesn’t ignore vegetarians. “Forget the Dog” is loaded with corn relish, fried chips, coleslaw, ketchup topped with gruyere cheese and sweet potato ribbons ($8 large, $5.50 small). The “Veggie Dog” is packed with fried popcorn cauliflower and eggplant, fondue cheese, sweet potato ribbons and gruyere cheese ($9 large, $5.50 small).

Other food vans include Mr Papa’s Peruvian street food, Chasing Mr Morris’ coffee and donuts, and 10-inch Custom Pizzeria, which lets you custom-make you own pizza. Binny’s mobile kitchen offers Indian cuisine.

The Spit Shack is on deck, with lamb and pork prepared on the spit daily and produce sourced from local farmers. Native herbs are used as is house-made gravy. This operation is no longer associated with the one just off the highway heading to Batemans Bay, which I’ve been to. I only hope Braddon’s shack is much better.

After grabbing your food, settle in at a communal table or one of the smaller eating zones, like the sweet set-up near Chasing Mr Morris – brightly painted aluminum chairs nestled around tables.

The Hamlet also has interesting retail shops. Wink Jewellery’s Marissa Christian has opened her first shopfront. Marissa is a founder of the Canberra Night Markets and is planning new night markets at The Hamlet, too. Wildwood’s Sara Wurcker has re-located from the former Lonsdale Street Traders and boyandgirlco, with their re-used wooden pallet furniture, have also opened their first shopfront. Jewellery story KIN gallery and Craft ACT’s pop-up space have also reopened.

The Hamlet is only temporary with a major redevelopment coming, but that’s not for at least three years.

The Hamlet, 16 Lonsdale Street, Braddon.