Located at 4 Marvell St, Byron Bay Oyster Bar & Seafood Restaurant is an approachable yet refined dining offering with a focus on the very best oysters and seafood from across Australia and New Zealand. With oysters being the star of the show, Byron Bay Oyster Bar & Seafood Restaurant is taking the freshness of them very seriously. So much so, it’s purchased a huge land-based oyster tank that purifies and holds up to 500 dozen oysters at a time. 4 Marvell St, Byron Bay; hotelmarvell.com.au

The crew from Lightyears have branched out from their usual modern-Asian fare and hopped over to Cairo for their latest venture. The Smoking Camel is a boldly designed new space that ties together modern Middle Eastern energy with vibrant interiors, share-style dishes cooked over charcoal and fragrant cocktails, set to a neon backdrop. Throw back some local drinks with dips like hummus with harissa oil and babaganoush with parsley oil; smashed falafel with green goddess tahini; and sumac spiced tuna tartare. From the grill, plates include baharat beef shish; shawarma spiced chicken; and halloumi and mixed vegetables. Get into the Byron state of mind with a salty-sweet salad of watermelon, shanklish and mint, or a sharp and fresh ‘village salad’ with whipped feta. 17 Lawson St, Byron Bay; thesmokingcamel.com.

Get a taste of Italy in the heart of Byron Bay at Pixie Food & Wine. Making the most of the abundance of local seafood and produce, Pixie uses Australia’s delicious produce to curate an ever-evolving menu of Italian-influenced cuisine. Here, pasta is made by hand and wine is, mostly, Italian. There’s also a gluten-free menu, which will delight coeliacs and gluten-intolerant diners as they won’t have to skip on the Cacio e Pepe. 139 Jonson St, Byron Bay; pixiebyronbay.com.au

The Davidson plum glazed free-range pork scotch fillet is about the prettiest thing to appear on a plate, adorned with beetroot, red fruits and leaves, and it’s hard to go past the pasta fredda, a yellowfin crudo tuna, cold spaghetti, pesto, olives, capers, tomato on the hotel’s cellar menu. Guests and call-in diners have a lot to postcard home about, and indeed Rae’s has a deserved reputation as one of Byron’s finest restaurants (not to mention the accommodation). The open-window framed view of Wategos beach over the linen tablecloths ensures instant luxurious relaxation. Executive Chef Jason Saxby offers a 3-course a la carte menu or a 6-course tasting menu. 6-8 Marine Pde, Byron Bay; raes.com.au.

Kouzina is a little slice of Greek heaven nestled away from the hustle and bustle of Byron. You’ll swear you’ve been transported to a taverna on a Greek island. The food is authentic – think Greek salad and fresh calamari – plus, it’s BYO so get yourself a Mythos beer to accompany the meal. 1/1 Acacia St, Byron Bay; kouzinabyronbay.com

Chef Matt Stone is the latest chef to man the pans at this Bangalow gem. The restaurant is pretty as can be inside and out. Even pre Matt Stone the food here sent shockwaves through foodie Instagram with the likes of “rigatoni alla octopus”, red pepper and nduja soffritto, and gremolata. The menu moves with the usually local produce available and, it seems, the whims of the chef. Cheeky updates on Instagram have us driving north to get back. “On the lunch menu right now till they’re not. Salami, Rocket, macadamia cream, vodka sauce and basil on wood fired flatbread,” one post taunts. The playful, creative menu keeps the locals hungry and the restaurant packed. Insider tip, order “off menu” when possible, it means something truly special is on offer. 33 Byron St, Bangalow; instagram.com/ciao.mate.

If you’ve been to Byron before chances are you’ve either heard of or eaten at Bang Bang. It’s one of those restaurants that everyone knows and is quite mainstream, but for good reason – the food is simply delicious. The menu features modern Asian fusion dishes including classics like stick braised beed ribs, sashimi and, of course, a few curries. 4/1 Byron St, Byron Bay; bangbangbyronbay.com

If you’re a Queenslander, Light Years needs no introduction. With outposts in Burleigh and Noosa, this modern-Asian restaurant is a go-to for deliciously spicy share plates. While Newcastle is also home to a Light Years, its not as well-known in other states, which is why making the most of being in such close proximity makes dining here is a must. Drawing on flavours from Thai, Korean, Cantonese and Singaporean cuisine, while using the freshest local produce you will be delighted by the Singapore chilli prawns, Korean crispy chicken bao buns and Wagyu beef rendang. 139 Jonson St, Byron Bay; lightyearsasiandiner.com.au

With the utmost appreciation for sustainability, the Three Blue Duck team want diners to know where their food comes from and to leave feeling completely nourished. The Byron location takes this to the next level. It’s situated on The Farm, a family-friendly venue aiming to grow, feed, educate and give back to the community. There are not many restaurants that welcome you with plump pigs, rolling lawns, unconfined kids. The Ducks’ self-proclaimed “no-fuss” way of dining and dishes full of local and ethically farmed produce result in food that you are proud to eat. Dine al fresco with nature on one side and all the action on the other. The charred coal-roasted octopus is glossy with a sugary, salty fishbone glaze. Roast potatoes come with unbelievably dunkable smoked garlic creme fraiche. You’ll leave feeling noble, with a full belly and a better appreciation for sustainability, too. The Farm, 11 Ewingsdale Rd, Ewingsdale threeblueducks.com/byron.

Welcome to the garden, says the tagline behind Folk Byron Bay. This is a place where house-made, home-grown, swinging tunes and good vibes go to Byron Bay’s folky, vegetarian, earthy heart, and we love it. The cottage-like cafe has locals hanging out the front all week, waiting for their nut-milk lattes. The menu spans winter porridge with poached pear, shaved almonds and coco yoghurt, and there are often weekend specials like a Jamaican coconut curry of mixed potato, cauliflower, green bean and pineapple with fragrant rice, garden herbs, spouts and cucumber. It’s hearty, nourishing, very good food. 399 Ewingsdale Rd, Byron Bay; FolkByronBay.com.

Head to Beach Byron Bay for its crisp fit-out, which perfectly highlights the sweeping uninterrupted sea views from the balcony. This beachfront Byron Bay institution has a new lease on life with the hiring of Barret Jones as its head chef. It’s a perfect fit for the New Zealand native, who is known for his produce-driven fare and commitment to sustainable and ethically-raised and sourced produce. The sunset light at dinnertime is ideal for indulging in one of the suitably strong seafood options, such as raviolo of Moreton Bay bug, cherry tomato and ‘nduja. This classic destination is a sibling restaurant of Sydney’s Firedoor, Brisbane and Sydney’s Otto, as well as Quay and Bennelong, all of which are owned by Fink Group. Clarkes Beach, 2 Massinger Street, Byron Bay, beachbyronbay.com.au.

If you’re staying in Byron Bay during peak season and want a reprieve from the crowd, head to Moonlight. The intimate, contemporary Japanese hibachi grill and wine bar is located in a laneway off Johnson Street and can easily be missed, which is part of its appeal. Sit at the bar, alfresco, or in the narrow dining space and don’t leave without trying the Watermelon sashimi, Pickled cucumber or Tuna ‘temaki’ roll. Bay Ln, Byron Bay; moonlightbar.com.au