Must-see restaurants in Byron Bay & Northern NSW

  • Fleet

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Fleet, one of Australia's most cultish dining destinations, seats just 14 guests for communal dining in its effortlessly stylish space – its genuine…

  • Seating is mainly in the large, covered outdoor area

    Three Blue Ducks at the Farm

    Byron Bay

    The legendary Sydney team behind Three Blue Ducks moved up north to showcase its paddock-to-plate food philosophy. Their heaving barn cafe and restaurant…

  • Chihuahua, hole-in-the-wall in an arcade off Jonson Street

    Chihuahua

    Byron Bay

    Ignore the rather un-Byron arcade location of Chihuahua to delight fully in the supremely fresh and tasty Mexican on offer. The nachos with slow-cooked,…

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    Bay Leaf Café

    Byron Bay

    Squeeze into this busy cafe and relax: everything is made with remarkable attention to detail and a passion for produce and the environment. Breakfasts,…

  • Paper Daisy

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    The award-winning poolside restaurant of Halcyon House is one of the area's best, with chef Jason Barrett, formerly at Raes, at the helm. The sprawling…

  • Balcony Bar

    Byron Bay

    The eponymous architectural feature here wraps around the building and gives you tremendous views of the passing Byron parade (and the ever-busy traffic…

  • Tillermans

    Mid-North Coast

    Long-time Francophiles Kerry and Peter Hodges serve a fabulous three-course French lunch (book ahead in summer) at this old rustic riverside beauty, where…

  • St Elmo

    Byron Bay

    Perch on a stool at this moody modern tapas restaurant, where bar staff can whip up inventive cocktails or pour you a glass of wine from the largely…

  • Town Restaurant & Cafe

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Upstairs (Uptown, if you will) is one of northern NSW's perennially excellent restaurants, serving a seven-course degustation menu carefully and…

  • Little Beach Boathouse

    Mid-North Coast

    In an airy but intimate dining room, right on the water, you can order fabulous seafood dishes such as Hervey Bay scallops, Port Stephens oysters and…

  • Shelter

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    One of the region's tastiest offerings, head here for generous lashings of entrees (like 'eat 'em whole' Clarence River school prawns) and sides like…

  • Punch & Daisy

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    The coffee – using organic beans locally roasted by Moonshine – is the best in town at this delightful cafe with a relaxed rear garden. Dishes range from…

  • Fiasco

    Coffs Harbour

    Upmarket Italian fare is prepared in an open kitchen using produce from the best local suppliers and herbs from the restaurant's own garden. Expect…

  • Wild Herring

    Mid-North Coast

    The Anchorage resort's Galley Kitchen morphs into a resolutely fine-dining restaurant in the evening, but the simple waterfront space still vibes holiday…

  • Yami

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Yami, appropriately pronounced 'yummy', dishes up some of the crispiest felafel and most flavoursome Middle Eastern vegetarian food you'd never expect to…

  • Belle General

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Out of town opposite Shelly Beach, this destination cafe attracts local and travelling bohemians and their respective entourages. Bliss out over eggs on…

  • Stunned Mullet

    Mid-North Coast

    This fresh, seaside spot is one serious dining destination. The inspired contemporary menu features dishes like award-winning Tajima Wagyu beef, alongside…

  • Qudo Cafe & Sake

    Mid-North Coast

    Japanese chefs work their magic in this imposing and beautifully rustic two-storey former Freemason building. It's run by the same owners as Federal's…

  • The Loft

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Slink into this split-level, dark, moody and intimate laneway spot to dine on fine Modern Australian dishes to a backdrop of street-art-mural feature…

  • Hilltop Store

    Mid-North Coast

    As the name suggests, this cute cafe is perched on a hill in a lovely old weatherboard building that was the general store back in the day. Prop yourself…

  • Harvest

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Putting the tiny hinterland town of Newrybar on the map is Harvest: a restaurant in a rustic open-air Queenslander with a 'wild harvest' menu inspired by…

  • Grassy Goose

    Mid-North Coast

    Relax on the verandah decking looking out to the forest views at this stylish yet relaxed restaurant with exemplary service. Dine on well-prepared Modern…

  • Ballina Gallery Cafe

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Sit out underneath the mango tree, or admire the art inside Ballina's 1920s former council chambers while enjoying some of Ballina's best produce. The…

  • Che Bon

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Relocating from the country town of Tintenbar to the rather suburban centre of Ballina, Che Bon, headed by chef Rodolphe who hails from Lyon, is a firm…

  • Old John's

    Coffs Harbour

    Join Coffs' cool kids propped up at the open window or on a street-side table sipping on the town's best coffee and digging into delights from a menu of…

  • Bread Social

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Bread Social's concession at Byron Bay's The Farm is the worst-kept secret; now the word is really out with this dedicated bakery and cafe, opened just a…

  • CH Dining

    Mid-North Coast

    Opened in early 2019, CH Dining is a welcome addition to the Crescent Head dining scene. Located at The Med motel, the space is contemporary cool and the…

  • Popla

    Mid-North Coast

    Settle in on the candlelit verandah or cosy into a table inside the smart contemporary fit-out of this humble weatherboard house, where sophisticated open…

  • Beachwood Cafe

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Cookbook author Sevtap Yüce steps out of the pages to deliver her bold Turkish Flavours to the plate at this wonderful little cafe. Most of the tables are…

  • Shoal Bay Country Club

    Mid-North Coast

    Fresh from a fabulous, multi-million-dollar refurbishment, the iconic 1930s Shoal Bay Country Club, opposite gorgeous Shoal Bay beach, isn't a country…

  • Malt & Honey

    Mid-North Coast

    An urban sensibility combines with beach-town charm at this busy cafe. Pick up an early-morning latte or grab a seat for crumpets with macadamia crumble,…

  • Bill's Fishhouse

    Mid-North Coast

    A superlight and pretty space to escape the heat and eat the freshest of seafood. The menu changes regularly and might include local snapper fillet in a…

  • Milk & Honey

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    The wood-fire oven here turns out the best pizza in the region. Delicious combos such as pork and fennel sausage with chilli or field mushrooms, parmesan…

  • Nimbin Hotel

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    This classic boozer has a vast back porch overlooking a verdant valley with seats taken up by a slice of all Nimbin life. The Mended Drum Bistro serves…

  • Mavis's Kitchen & Cabins

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    The setting is sublime: a two-storey whitewashed wooden Queenslander house surrounded by gorgeous gardens and gazing at Wollumbin/Mt Warning. The country…

  • Treeo

    Mid-North Coast

    Beneath one of First Ave's giant fig trees, this popular cafe turns out great coffee, delicious homemade cakes (raw and gluten-free options too) and…

  • Modern Grocer

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    Sit yourself at the communal table and tuck into a big breakfast, burger or sandwich at this mini-emporium that now takes up two lovely old shops back-to…

  • Inner Light Tearooms

    Mid-North Coast

    Enjoy stunning vistas over the Port Stephens' headlands to the great blue yonder of the Pacific Ocean from this breezy breakfast and lunch spot in the…

  • Rick Stein at Bannisters

    Mid-North Coast

    The second incarnation of Rick Stein at Mollymook, this beautifully fitted-out restaurant at Bannisters gives a nod to the coastal surrounds in both its…

  • Doma Cafe

    Byron Bay & Northern NSW

    In a wooden building in the tiny town of Federal is not where you'd expect to find some of the region's best Japanese cuisine being served, yet here it is…