In this spring edition of my chef’s guide I’m mindful of preserving the essence of our safe and healthy town. Here’s a selection of some favourite places, both old and new, that have welcoming service, respect social distancing and share an aligned ethos of good food – and a healthy dose of great cheer.
The Byron Shire is a delicious food bowl brimming with an abundance of fresh, locally grown produce and talented cooks aplenty. While the front gate of the region is the Farmers’ Markets, the front door is the bounty of good places to meet, drink and eat.
Do try something unusual while you’re here and be mindful of public holiday and Sunday surcharges when planning your dining adventures.
This is a constantly updated guide (listed in no particular order) to good tucker as we move into hopefully better times. Please enjoy – Sammy.
The Avocado Hut
Owned and operated for over a year by the delightful Emily & Sam, this lively hutch is dishing up beautiful, healthy food and not all of it’s smashed, nor made just from plants. It’s breezy and easy with a surf-chic style – above. Delicious Sunday brunch a-plenty with lots of sides to value add your menu choice. Great coffee and people watching too.
Karkalla
On one of our favourite eastern facing Byron corners, our new friends at Karkalla have flung open their doors, burst open their hearts and quickly upped the ante with native inspired eats featuring locally foraged succulents, flowers, herbs and other regional produce. The bravado of opening amongst a pandemic is well noted. A golden, shimmering breakfast dahl filled my heart with joy recently. Beautiful people, beautiful food that’s comforting, coastal, foraged and oh so friendly.
10/8 Fletcher St, Byron Bay
Jonsons
Jonsons is the epitome of what a great neighbourhood restaurant should be. Proudly owner-operator run with friendly – often very funny – floor service, and just the ticket for coffee, brunch or an elegant dinner. This is our familiar place where the locals can catch up and the visitors meet. It’s a short stroll from the heart of town offering great food, good wine, tap beer and tip-top cocktails. Choose from lovely sunset street vistas, booths or hidden garden dining – what more could a local want? Oh, there’s $15 house-made pasta nights on Tuesdays too! Be sure to book, best by phone on 02 6685 6754
111 Jonson St, Byron Bay
Barrio
Great food and friendly service abound at Barrio, nestled in the grounds of the light industrial village of Habitat. The welcome return of Chef David Moyle to our region guarantees happiness. Recently appointed to oversee Barrio and also affiliated menus at Harvest and Sparrow Coffee.
Vegans and vegetarians fear not, the sensational menu has plant-based choices that are as good, if not better, than the meaty bits, and all perfect for sharing. Opens early for that pre or post gym or barre class coffee most days. Be sure to check social media for updated holiday hours and special events. Catch the Byron solar train for an unforgettable experience.
Vagabond
The tenacity of the hospitality industry is a force to be respected at any time. The tenacity to go forth and open a new business in the midst of pandemic mayhem is living proof that the show simply must go on. A cluster of creativity brought to you by a trifecta of talent set to triumph beyond troubled times. The folk from Combi together with designer Jason Grant (pictured) offer a luxurious snug of a place at Habitat. It’s brimming with plant-based eats and treats resplendent with Combi’s signature smoothies, blends and brews. Housemade mylk and heartfelt hospo with beautiful, relaxed Byron aesthetic, the trademark of Jason Grant. Fresh and promising, hopefully like our future. Wander in now.
Habitat, 1 Porter St, Byron Bay
High Life
From old school French to new cool bench. Formerly this site was home to The Petite Snail and is now Byron’s newest, sunny side of the street cafe. Opened gently in September, this east-facing site has uplifted with luxe marble finish counter, and cosy, curvaceous walnut stools. Brewing Allpress coffee to get you high on life. Situated next to Howl & Moan Records, on the corner of Keesing and Carlyle streets.
5 Carlyle St, Byron Bay
Sparrow, Byron
Off to a flying start in their new Byron nest, Sparrow is loved by many from Byron to Bangalow, Brisbane to Port Douglas. For the early birds needing their fix, Sparrow’s hand-crafted, freshly roasted Allpress coffee is open in Byron from 6am with a cheery smile and fast service for coffee on the fly.
St Elmo
We’ve loved this fabulous restaurant since the day it opened, and so do all who have walked through the doors since then. St Elmo has grown up to be a date night place, a dinner with friends at the bar place, or larger celebrations when appropriate. The Spanish influenced menu offers a tapas to bigger, bold flavour meals, most are perfect to share. The vast bar has seen plenty of action, so many good times – and a few that are just too good to mention 😉
Butcher and Cook
A smokehouse lovers’ dream, Butcher and Cook is a tiny tucker shop bursting with all the aromas of an American BBQ. Tempt yourself with 15 hour slow cooked brisket, pork belly or buttermilk chook that might be on the menu, dished up with sides of slaw, mac ‘n’ cheese, or mash. Collaborative partner Trevor Mead Quality Meats sources the best produce from free-range producers, locally where possible. Delicious, relaxed and honest food to share with friends. Check social for opening hours and special guest pop-ups. BYO brews.
4/14 Middleton St, Byron Bay
Kouzina
You’d be forgiven for thinking you have landed on the Greek isle of Ikaria, where the locals forget to die as a result of their good cheer, a Mediterranean diet steeped in olive oil, red wine – and dancing. Kouzina is a gift from the Gods to Byron Bay, nestled amongst the hustle and bustle of the industrial estate, you’ll have to hunt it out for yourself. Be prepared for long, lazy shared platter lunches and knees up, Zorba style festivities in the evenings. BYO retsina!
1/1 Acacia St, Byron Bay
Bay Grocer
Happily, for many hospitality folk, Byron business is booming. Our friends at Bay Grocer have fuelled us with great tucker, brilliant service and always a welcome wave. The new deli is bursting with local and imported goodies guaranteed to lift the corners of every mouth. Fancy a slab of Salumi for your platter? No problem. Or howabout the world’s best cheese? Coming right up. Plant-based products a-plenty, lunch on the run, grab’n’go dinners and edible ideas for one or one hundred abound.
63 Tennyson St, Byron Bay
Beach Byron Bay
Beach Byron Bay sits on the small cliff over Clarke’s Beach with sweeping views over the water, rain, hail or shine and just a few metres wander down to beach. With one of the most enviable restaurant views in the Byron Shire this venue is a must-do for breakfast, lunch or dinner (check website for seasonal hours). There are sunset cocktails available and a terrific kiosk near the entrance of the restaurant, perfect if you’re wearing sandy feet and a sarong. I look forward to the next decade as Beach rides one of the nation’s finest dining waves. Read review
2 Massinger St, Byron Bay
Red Ginger
Everybody loves a good dimmy so if you’re yearning for that yum cha feeling, then visit Red Ginger for a quick snack of ready to eat dumplings, or take your time and wander around the store to collect a few ingredients to make your own at home. Gorgeous gifts, homewares, books, extensive tea selection and so much more. Byron & Bangalow locations.
2/111 Jonson St, Byron Bay
Rails Kitchen
My love for a certain dish in our local pub is well documented. Imagine half a roasted, semi-boned, crispy skin chook with tarragon butter, spuds and greens and you’ll soon know why this is my non-negotiable, feel good food. All the comfort of home with a restaurant touch makes this Byron’s best pub tucker. Go for Friday night raffles if you’re keen to win the meat tray, go for the free live music seven nights per week, or go for the great food. Just go.
The Railway Hotel, Jonson St, Byron Bay
Rae's on Wategos
What can you say about Rae’s that hasn’t already been said? Its colourful history could fill a phone book with gossip of celebrity customers and outrageous antics front of house and behind the scenes. Most Byron locals have a story to tell. Over the years the food has been a little hit and miss, however the last 12 months have catapulted Rae’s back into the gourmet galaxy.
Currently, Chef Jason Saxby is at the helm and has grand visions for the new era. The downstairs cellar bar, formerly home to the car park, is a joy to visit, and just the ticket for a mid-week knock off alone or with a bestie, watching the waves roll in with a fine glass of Perrier-Jouët. Naturally, weekends are hectic so be sure to book well in advance to dine in the restaurant.
Tree House on Belongil
Everyone loves Tree House, it’s easy, good food and often very fast service. Choose fro delicious pizzas, nachos and all the family favourites. The temperature of the staff can range from frosty to warm and friendly, so act like a local, be well mannered and share a big smile, you’ll have good time. Be sure to book as this place is packed. Great for dogs (outside) and the kidlets.
Byron Corner Store
From sunflowers to sandwiches the refreshed corner pitstop offers locals and tourists a reliable coffee through to late lunch place. Situated on the corner of Jonson and Byron street in the Dyson’s Corner building that has been an integral part of the town landscape since whaling days.
This is the perfect place to grab a quick, delicious made-to-order sandwich or grab’n’go from the abundant glass cabinet. Super friendly staff and efficient service make for an easy, family friendly, affordable slice of Byron life.
Espressohead
This ol’ kid on the block has been pouring Byron locals coffee since it was all rainbows and tie-dye! New ownership has brought fresh flavours and a lighter, healthier approach to some dishes. A Vietnamese pancake for breakfast was a highlight at a recent visit. Off the beaten track – just how the locals like it. Check their social for opening hours.
The Canteen at
Stone & Wood
The tucker Stone & Wood perfectly befits the array of all year beer and limited-edition ales and lagers on offer. Brought to you by 100 Mile Table, you’ll find tasty beer-friendly bites to larger meals like a trademark curry. The Staff salad is a go-to for the many who work onsite. The food is honest, delicious and very affordable, and loved by locals and tourists alike. Book a brewery tour and discover why S&W is Australia’s much loved 100% independent regional brewer. Cheers!
Byron Bay Cooking School
At Byron Bay Cooking School our inspiring team teaches participants to embrace all things healthy in hands-on private and corporate workshops. With amateur chefs to discover the secret to our food as medicine philosophy, classes deliver an experience like no other. Promising to leave participants aglow with abundant healthy recipes and lifestyle tips to take home, our events are a must-do for those seeking food for the soul.
By appointment only. Email
Call or SMS anytime 0411 852 387
You might also like these very popular, great places:
Bay Leaf 87 Marvell St, Byron Bay
Bang Bang 4/1 Byron St, Byron Bay
Beach Hotel 1 Bay St, Byron Bay
Byron Fresh 7 Jonson St, Byron Bay
Doma Cafe 3-6 Albert St, Federal
Fishmongers 9 Bay Lane, Byron Bay
Fishheads 1 Jonson St, Byron Bay
Harvest Restaurant 18-22 Old Pacific Highway, Newrybar
Kinoko (sushi train) 7/23 Jonson St, Byron Bay
Light Years 3/17 Lawson St, Byron Bay
Milk and Honey Mullumbimby 5/59a Station Street, Mullumbimby
Miss Margarita 2 Jonson St, Byron Bay
Mrs Birdy 19 Beach Ave, South Golden Beach
Orient Express Eatery 1/2 Fletcher St, Byron Bay
O-Sushi (sushi train) 15/90-96 Jonson St, Byron Bay
Rae’s On Wategos 6-8 Marine Parade, Byron Bay
Sparrow Coffee 1/47 Jonson St, Byron Bay
St Elmo 22 Fletcher St, Byron Bay
Table View 30 Mullumbimbi Street, Brunswick Heads
Thai Lucy 2/4 Bay Ln, Byron Bay
The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co. Jonson St & Lawson Lane, Byron Bay
The Mez Club 4/85-87 Jonson St, Byron Bay
The Northern 35 – 43 Jonson Street, Byron Bay
The Roadhouse Byron Bay 6/142 Bangalow Road, Byron Bay
The Top Shop 65 Carlyle St, Byron Bay
Three Blue Ducks at The Farm and Bread Social 11 Ewingsdale Road, Ewingsdale
Treehouse on Belongil 25 Childe St, Byron Bay
The Perfect Surrounding
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Fine Food Cuisine
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