A Foodie's Guide to Byron Bay

Once a sleepy coastal town, in recent times Byron Bay has rapidly become one of the most desirable destinations in the country, a must-visit high on the lists of many international (and domestic) travellers, and it’s easy to see why! As despite its immense and increasing popularity, this idyllic boho beach town, for the most part, has successfully been able to retain its laid-back coastal vibe - a fundamental part of Byron’s allure.

Though Byron is no longer merely a hipster hotspot, as with a never-ending stream of discerning visitors, as well as superb local produce and a wealth of talent, bustling bars, quirky plant-based cafes, and stylish, world-class restaurants rivaling those found in Australia’s major cities can now easily be found on almost every corner.

For accommodation whilst in Byron Bay read about my stay at Elements of Byron

THE MEZ CLUB

A Mediterranean Cantina and Cocktail Bar, spending an afternoon whiling the hours away at The Mez Club should be at the top of your list of things to do when in Byron. With dreamy interiors - white-washed walls reminiscent of the Greek Islands, grill-covered windows with wooden shutters giving a nod to Morocco, and rattan pendant lights, lots and lots of cushions and leather poufs evocative of Turkey - as well as a wide selection of Mediterranean-inspired meze and cocktails, it’s easy to see why this place is always so busy. On The Mez Club’s grazing-style you’ll find an assortment of small share plates that include a smoked trout dip, halloumi, scallop carpaccio, arancini and burrata, as well as a Moreton Bay bug gnocchi - a slightly larger plate I am dying to try! So, although it may be a challenge reserving a spot here, it is walk-ins only during its daily happy hour (from 4-5pm), plus, it’s worthwhile, if you’re in the area to simply walk-by and check - you never know your luck!

View The Mez Club’s menu.

4/85-87 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481

Open 7 Days 4pm - Midnight (Saturday & Sunday opens at 1pm & Sunday closes at 10.00pm)

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

HUMMUS with flatbread.

TOO EASY Vodka, vermouth bianco, orange bitters, raspberry, strawberry, lemon.

TURKISH DREAM Vodka, turkish delight, vermouth bianco, peychaud’s, aquafaba, raspberry, lemon.

Bang bang

If you only have one night in Byron, head to Bang Bang! My favourite restaurant in Byron, Bang Bang ticks all the boxes - vibe and atmosphere? Tick. Eye-catching interior? Tick. Wide selection of and quality food and drinks? Double tick - the only problem is, it seems everyone else in and who visits Byron seems to know it does too! So, if you’re fortunate enough to secure a table for dinner you’re in for a treat. On its pan-Asian-inspired menu - divided into ‘little bangs’, ‘big bangs’, curries, rice and noodles, salads and greens, and dessert - you’ll find so many amazing, share-style dishes to choose from, it's likely you’ll struggle to pick. We ordered a selection of dishes and could easily have gone back at least another night and ordered a variety of all different dishes. Beyond the food, the drinks menu is equally impressive, with plenty of Asian-inspired cocktails (Bang Bang Bangers), spritzers, and mocktails.

View Bang Bang’s menu.

4/1 Byron St, Byron Bay NSW 2481

Open 7 Days 5.00pm - Midnight

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

PRAWN TOAST Crispy fried prawn toast with ginger, sesame and xo Kewpie mayonnaise.

SALT & PEPPER SQUID Crunchy and lightly fried squid with Szechuan, nuoc cham sauce and wasabi mayonnaise.

KOREAN POPCORN CHICKEN Korean fried popcorn chicken with a sweet sticky sauce, sesame and crispy Kewpie mayonnaise.

STICKY PORK BELLY Succulent crispy pork belly with master stock caramel, herb salad and charred pineapple.

HARVEST MOON Lemongrass and kaffir lime leaf infused Bombay Sapphire gin, elderflower, watermelon, lemon, pineapple.

BOOZY BLUEBIRD Mezcal, licor 43, homemade blueberry jam, fresh lemon, aquafaba.

THAI BERRY CAIPRIOSKA Strawberry, lime, Thai basil, cloudy apple, spiced berry foam float.

beach

You can’t get closer to the beach if you tried. Very simply and aptly named, Beach is a Modern Australian fine-dining restaurant situated right on Clarkes Beach, mere minutes away from the main town of Byron. With its enviable prime beachfront location, a lunch or sunset dinner sitting out on the restaurant’s deck, listening to the waves roll in and out is a must, just make sure you book ahead to avoid disappointment. When we visited, making a reservation only one week prior, we were very fortunate to secure a table at all, let alone one right by the railing - shout-out to the couple you cancelled last-minute! Reflecting its location, the restaurant’s food menu is rather unsurprisingly largely seafood-based, with wood-grilled scallops, king prawns and octopus as well as squid pasta, crab ravioli and sashimi all featured.

Notably, if you’re unable to secure a spot at the restaurant or are looking for something a little more affordable and casual, at the front of the restaurant you’ll find a Kiosk serving breakfast staples in the morning and sandwiches and snacks throughout the day.

View Beach’s menu.

2 Massinger St, Byron Bay NSW 2481

Open 7 Days 7.00am - 9.00pm

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

WOOD-GRILLED SCALLOP with sweet corn and puffed rice.

WOOD-GRILLED KING PRAWNS with coconut, chilli, kaffir lime and lemongrass.

SPANNER CRAB RAVIOLI with char tomato, lemon and caper sauce.

SALTED CARAMEL CHOCOLATE FONDANT with whiskey marshmallow and sourdough ice cream.

the farm

Have you even been to Byron if you haven’t visited The Farm? Located before you enter the main town of Byron, just as you turn off the highway (if you’re coming from the north), this idyllic 30-hectare farm has become a popular pit-stop, whether for breakfast or lunch or simply a wander around its beautiful grounds. If you are looking to dine whilst at The Farm, you have a few options. The Farm offers a restaurant, cafe and produce store, all run by the team at Three Blue Ducks - founded and owned by five mates (‘The Ducks’) passionate about nourishing the community with ethical, authentic, quality food and hospitality. Getting behind the increasingly popular concept of paddock to plate, the Three Blue Duck team endeavours to source as much as possible from The Farm as well as embracing produce that’s in season, organic or spray-free, and sustainably farmed - ‘real food’!

If you miss out on a table at the Three Blue Ducks restaurant grab some buttery pastry goodness from the Bread Social and chow down at the artisan bakehouse’s communal tables.

View the Three Blue Ducks’ all-day menu.

11 Ewingsdale Rd, Ewingsdale NSW 2481

Open 7 Days 7.00am - 4.00pm (Friday - Saturday opens till 10.00pm)

the Byron Bay GENERAL STORE

Serving locals and travellers since 1947, as one of Byron Shire’s oldest commercial buildings still standing, The Byron Bay General Store not only serves healthy, high-quality food sourced from only the best local and organic farmers though is considered a piece of Byron’s history. Over the last 70 years it has had many different names, looks and identities - extended and renovated multiple times, but never knocked down. However one thing has always stayed true - it’s an iconic place for locals and visitors to meet, gather, eat, drink and buy goods. Notably, this mostly plant-based cafe is situated slightly outside the humble town of Byron and revered for having the best smoothie bowls in town!

26 Bangalow Rd, Byron Bay NSW 2481

Open 7 Days 7.00am - 2.00pm

rAE’s on wategos

Celebrating a special occasion or looking to really treat yourself? Well, Rae’s on Wategos is a no brainer! Set amongst the idyllic surrounds of Wategos Beach, with views up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, as far as dining spots go it doesn’t get much better than Rae’s. Serving modern Australian with a Mediterranean influence, Rae’s offers a laid back yet stylish, elegant al fresco dining space. Market fish, bay lobster tagliolini, spanner crab and squid ink lasagne, seared coral prawns; it’s clear fresh seafood is the star of the show at Rae’s. Like most places in Byron, it’s super important you book well in advance, as to even simply get on the waiting list within short notice can be a challenge!

If you’re unable to get into Rae’s Dining Room, make sure to check out Rae’s Cellar Bar, a recent addition which occupies the driveway. Open 7 days a week, from midday until sunset, Rae’s Cellar Bar offers casual beachside dining in the form of the regions best seafood and snacks in bite-sized form as well as a curated beverage list. The best part? The space allows walk-ins!

View Raes on Wategos’ menu.

6/8 Marine Parade, Byron Bay NSW 2481

Open 7 Days Midday - 3.00pm & 6.00pm - 10.00pm

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

MORETON BAY BUG RAVIOLO with chargrilled bug.

loft

Impressive food, irresistible cocktails and plenty of beers… all mere metres from the beach - what could be better?! Just off the sand at famous Main Beach and centrally elevated above bustling Jonson Street and Bay Lane, you’ll find one of the newest additions to Byron’s foodie scene, Loft. Open every day from 4pm to late, an afternoon (that will quickly turn into night) spent on Loft’s relaxed seaside terrace is highly recommended. Loft’s all-day food menu has been designed for sharing and includes a selection of small, medium and large-sized plates as well as a tempting array of boards (cheese, charcuterie, mixed deli), ideal for groups. To sip, Loft offers an impressive list of classic and speciality cocktails that are difficult to resist - from local gin to martinis with a kick, there’s something for everyone.

View Loft’s all-day menu.

9/4 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481

Open 7 Days 4.00pm - Late

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

JAPANESE CHICKEN SLIDERS with shaved cabbage, kewpie mayo, tonkatsu sauce.

SEARED SCALLOPS with chorizo, corn puree, coriander oil.

TWICE COOKED PORK BELLY with pencil leek, corn puree, chorizo, cider jus.

FRIES with salt and vinegar and served with kewpie mayo.

PEACH FIZZ Vodka, peach, lemon.

LOFT APPLETINI Vodka, apple, vanilla, mint, lime.

folk

From its appearance to its food and drink offering, Folk to me encapsulates everything Byron is known for. Literally minutes up the road from The Farm, just before you enter the main town, is Folk Byron Bay, possibly one of the grooviest spots in Byron to enjoy an all-organic, ethical and plant-based feast. Once a dilapidated building tacked onto a caravan park, Folk Byron Bay is now a haven for foodies and design-savvy individuals alike, with the cafe being featured in the pages of Vogue, Conde Nast Traveler and Gourmet Traveller. So pull up a tree stump (a stool) and grab yourself a coffee before heading off to explore.

1/399 Ewingsdale Rd, Byron Bay NSW 2481

Open 7 Days 7.30am - 2.30pm

azure bar & grill

Azure Bar & Grill is the signature restaurant that calls the luxurious Elements of Byron home. Separated into Azure Bar & Grill Terrace and Azure Bar & Grill Dining Room, this culinary duo celebrates Byron Bay’s finest produce. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week, the Azure Bar & Grill Terrace offers a casual-cool vibe of alfresco family meals peppered with luxury that is uniquely Elements. Described as classy and cool and only open for dinner (Tues-Sat), Azure Bar & Grill Dining Room rather offers a more refined (and expensive) experience, ideal for special occasions.

For overnight accommodation read about my stay at Elements of Bryon

View Azure Bar & Grill’s menu.

144 Bayshore Dr, Byron Bay NSW 2481

Open 7 Days 7.00am - 9.30pm

WHAT WAS ORDERED:

EGGS BENEDICT English muffin, Bangalow ham, poached eggs, hollandaise.

RICOTTA HOTCAKES Maple syrup, berries.

SCRAMBLED EGGS ON SOURDOUGH

WOOD FIRED GARLIC FLATBREAD

FIOR DI LATTE MOZZARELLA with sea salt and chili.

NDUJA (SPICY) SALAMI

TAGLIATELLE with prawns, garlic, chili, white wine, lemon, butter.

KARKALLA

Known and loved for their all-day brunches, relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, and love of locally sourced seasonal ingredients, a meal at Karkalla is an ideal way to begin your day, followed by a walk on the beach which is only one block away. Karkalla is the passion project of Mindy Woods, most recently the CEO of Lotus Dining Group Sydney, and using seasonal local produce and native indigenous ingredients, ‘Karkalla’ is a nod to Mindy’s indigenous heritage as a proud Bundjalung woman - Karkalla is named after a succulent coastal groundcover plant native to southern Australia. Karkalla reflects the essence Mindy believes to be truly Australian- coastal, sun-kissed, relaxed, and most importantly generous.

View Karkalla’s menu.

10/8 Fletcher St, Byron Bay NSW 2481

Open 5 Days Wednesday - Sunday 7.30am - 9.00pm (Wednesday closes at 2.30pm)