Beyond the beach, these are the Byron region’s best eats. Though many may lament the changing face of Byron – one positive advancement has been the development of its dining scene. Once a domain ruled by mung-bean-heavy dishes, Hare-Krishna-run bain-maries and greasy late-night bites for those post-Cheeky-Monkey’s rendezvous, Byron Bay and its neighbouring Northern Rivers towns have now become home to some of the best regional restaurants in Australia. Here are the 10 restaurants you won’t want to miss on your next visit to the bay and beyond.
Just like Byron itself, this neighbourhood bar and eatery is relaxed, casual, and filled with plenteous local produce. Sip on an orange wine teamed with a plate of cured fish caught not too far from your seat and select from a menu that showcases the abundant food bowl that is Northern New South Wales. The refined dishes here might befit the most discerning tastes, but the laidback environment and staff makes this venue one you’ll want to revisit regularly.
No Byron Bay dining guide would be complete without mention of its prized destination restaurant: Harvest Newrybar. Just a short drive out of town, nestled between the aging fig trees and weather-beaten shopfronts of Newrybar’s main street, Harvest presents an unforgettable feast that features locally foraged native ingredients prepared in a simple and delicious manner. Harvest is every bit worthy of its hype, every time.
There must be few greater pleasures in life than dining at aesthetically pleasing Raes, overlooking Wategos Beach, crisp white wine in hand and a plate brimming with vibrant Australian ingredients presented beautifully before you. It may be the best-positioned restaurant in Australia (big call, we know) and certainly a suitable replacement for cancelled Mediterranean holidays.
This refurbished hotel has all the charm of an old-world country hotel, only (some may say ‘fortunately’) with more contemporary dining options. Sure, you’ve still got your chicken parmy on offer, but it sits on the menu alongside smoked, whipped fish fingers, house-pickled sardines and a spiced cauliflower burger. Here, old meets new.
A welcomed addition to the waterfront dining options of the Northern Rivers, Brunswick Heads’ Honour is fast becoming a go-to for cured meats, cheeses and other delicious snacks. Connoisseur couple Anna Mortimer and Aymeric Albores serve up reviving coffee and light repasts by morning and, now, share plates paired with a tempting selection of natural wines as the sun lowers over the Brunswick River.
Fleet is the fine diner that put sleepy Brunswick Heads on the map, and it continues to prove a foodie force to be reckoned with. The intimate restaurant owned by partners in business and life, chef Josh Lewis and front-of-house extraordinaire Astrid McCormack, is considered a must-visit for those trekking through Northern New South Wales. Diminutive Fleet has attracted enormous praise and many accolades since opening. A lot of restaurants now claim to source locally, but at Fleet it moves past the food to the Tasmanian oak stools crafted by local maker Martin Johnston, to the plateware by Bangalow’s own Anna-Karina Elias. And then there’s the food. The produce is simple, but damn Lewis can cook. Dry-cured snapper is shaved thinly by hand, accompanied by a tangy tangelo sauce, roasted witlof and confit fennel. Whole roasted baby Jerusalem artichokes are tossed in creamy sesame, which further their sweet nuttiness. Book far, very far, in advance to ensure a table. 2/16 The Terrace, Brunswick Heads. Fleetrestaurant.com.au
After a day spent dipping in the river, dust the sand off your toes and wander in to the peachy-hued building that houses La Casita. This Brunny favourite boasts a full agave spirits menu to enjoy alongside such holiday-conducive dishes as fried clarence river school prawn fritter, avocado, onion and lettuce, drowned with tomato and crustacean oil.
Rolling green fields, hyper-seasonal menus, leisurely long lunches and on-site farm stays – a perfect match for those lengthy, wine-accompanied meals – abound at Frida’s Field in Nashua. Omnivore and vegetarian set menus are available and put wood-fired local ingredients at the fore.
As its name suggests in French, this eatery is indeed a gift to its local residents and holidaymakers. Inside the chic dining space, guests devour clever and artfully plated dishes like the ‘pan-fried mulloway with artichokes barigoule, turnips and beurre blanc,’ and, for dessert, ‘fig and coconut frangipane, pandan leaf custard and crème fraiche’.
A short walk from the beaches of Suffolk Park, this ultra-casual and unassuming restaurant serves up some of the best and most exciting Mexican food this side of the equator. These are tacos and small plates unlike any you’ve tried before. Unless, that is, you’ve been to Chupacabra.
Restaurateur Jessi Singh has welcomed his third Daughter in Law to the family. The new Byron Bay location takes inspiration from its coastal setting with a non-traditional Indian menu that celebrates local seafood and farm-fresh fruit and vegetables grown in the region. Like its siblings, diners can expect bright jewel interiors matched to a soundtrack of Indian retro tunes with Bollywood film scenes projected on the wall.
