Where to Eat, Drink and Play in Byron Bay.
If you need an excuse to swap city smog for salty air, ocean swims, and barefoot dining, let this be it. Byron Bay is Australia’s coastal poster child for good reason, think farm-to-table feasts, laidback bars, and beaches that look like they’ve been plucked from a postcard. This spring, I finally made the pilgrimage north for a weekend escape (partly inspired by friends who never stop raving about The Pass and a spicy margarita at Rae’s infamous front lawn). Whether you’re planning a trip to Byron, or we’ve inspired a road trip, this guide provides the essentials for all your foodie needs.
EAT
Folk
Tucked away on Ewingsdale Road in the unassuming surrounds of a caravan park, Folk Byron Bay is a true hidden gem that captures the soul of old-school Byron. Set in a white timber bungalow wrapped in lush greenery, this bohemian café radiates a 70s-inspired charm with its focus on organic, ethical, and plant-based dining. The menu is a celebration of nourishing food and seasonal ingredients, and the standout? The buckwheat banana hotcakes, topped with house-made labne, local honey, and a colourful scattering of fruit, seeds and nuts. Whether you’re sipping specialty coffee in the leafy garden or lingering over breakfast with friends, Folk perfectly embodies the slower, soulful pace of Byron.
Lot 1, 399 Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay, NSW 2481, (02 6685 5265), 7.30am-2.30pm
http://www.folkbyronbay.com
Light Years
In the heart of Jonson Lane, Light Years brings a fresh take on modern Asian dining with a coastal Byron feel. The menu moves from raw kingfish ceviche with coconut and kaffir lime to punchy firecracker chicken, cumin-spiced cauliflower, and the standout wagyu beef rendang. Dumplings, bao and small plates are made for sharing, while larger dishes like turmeric coconut curry or twice-cooked crispy skin chicken round out the spread. Cocktails lean bright and playful, best enjoyed at the terrazzo bar before moving into the dining room or alfresco courtyard. For indecisive groups, the chef’s selection banquets showcase the favourites.
Jonson Lane, 139 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481
https://lightyearsasiandiner.com.au/byron
Balcony Bar & Oyster Co.
Balcony Bar & Oyster Co. is where all your seafood dreams (and more) come true. Nestled above Byron’s buzzing main street, this is an ultimate display of surf and bohemian culture. While you people watch, let award winning Executive Chef and Owner Sean Connolly whip you up a seafood feast. The freshness of the locally and sustainably sourced produce is absolutely noticeable. Whether in Sean’s chilli mud crab ($MP) or the oysters natural with lemon ($4 each). Sean blew us away with the crab & lettuce tacos with chardonnay vinaigrette, salmon caviar, and fresh chilli (3 for $18) and the watermelon salad ($22). Complete with tomato, pomegranate, mint and lemon labne it adds a fresh citrus burst. With so many alluring options on the menu, you could be lounging from lunch to dinner. Especially when $10 Espresso Martinis are available from 9pm.
The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co, Corner of Jonson Street and Lawson Street, Byron Bay, NSW 2481, (02) 6680 9666, Open Monday-Friday 11.30am-12am, Saturday-Sunday 9am-12am
http://www.balcony.com.au
Rae’s on Wategos
With ocean views and a clean, coastal fit-out, Rae’s Dining Room offers a menu that moves from refined snacks to indulgent mains. Start with oysters topped with native finger lime or a cornetto filled with dashi cream and smoked salmon roe, before dishes like raw tuna with tuna bone soy, charred octopus with nduja XO, or the standout Bay Lobster Pithivier. Desserts keep things playful with an elevated Iced VoVo or a modern take on a banana split. Make sure to bring a posse so you can try more than just one main dish. If that’s still not enough to satisfy your indecision, opt for Rae’s Tasting Menu 195 (+135 paired beverages) to really get a taste of what Head Chef, Jason Saxby can do.
Rae’s Dining Room, Rae’s on Wategos, 6-8 Marine Parade, Byron Bay, NSW 2481, (02) 6685 5366,
Three Blue Ducks at The Farm
Nestled within the lush grounds of The Farm, Little Blue Ducks in Byron Bay is where fire, flavour, and local produce come together in a truly immersive paddock-to-plate experience. Under the guidance of Group Executive Chef Daniel Cooper, who joined earlier this year, the team has rolled out a new winter menu that celebrates seasonality and creativity, working closely with long-time Head Chef Sam Morton. Breakfast delights include the signature chilli scrambled eggs with house-fermented sriracha and fresh Farm-picked coriander, while lunch and dinner highlight open-fire cooking, whole-animal roasts, and sustainably sourced seafood. From coal-roasted scallops to Australian Bay lobster croissants, each dish reflects the Ducks’ commitment to bold flavours and honest, produce-driven cooking. With its rustic yet relaxed atmosphere, Little Blue Ducks is the perfect spot to slow down, savour the season, and experience the best of Byron’s farm-fresh offerings.
Combi Café
Combi Cafe, situated in the heart of Byron is where city slicker meets beach babe complete with golden wooden interiors, pops of copper and pastels in-between. With potted palms and other growing greens, Combi sure knows how to bring the outside in. Top off your morning with one of their colourfully delicious super bowls. If you’re really looking to explore the world organic, raw and gluten free, order the organic chia party or dragon fruit bowl. Swap your ordinary coffee order for a double shot espresso poured directly into your fresh coconut with the espresso fresh green coconut. Caffeine has never been so hydrating.
Combi, Byron Bay Pty Ltd, Shop 5b 21-25 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay, NSW 2481, (02) 6680 7426, 7am-3pm,
DRINK
Stone & Wood Brewing Company
Are you recovering from yesterday’s sun assault and need an escape from the day’s rays? Head to the Stone & Wood Brewery where not only the beer, but their dapper cheer will brighten you up. Entering the iron shed, gaze over the hills of greenery, hanging pieces of history and a forest of wooden crafted furniture. Next you’ll notice the shimmering silver gleam of the monstrous tanks filled with the brewer’s latest concoctions. For $10, fill a beer paddle with five different tasters including a selection of spicy, light, subtle, or fruity options. To detoxify and digest these beloved beers, order a kombucha, the fermented, effervescent tea “known as the immortal health elixir”off tap ($5) as you taste your way through the brewery. Stone & Wood’s brewery tours are available daily, visit their website for times. Cheers!
Stone & Wood Brewing Company, 4 Boronia Place, Byron Bay, NSW 2481, (02) 6685 5173
Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-6pm, https://www.stoneandwood.com.au
Bar Heather
Bar Heather is Byron’s ode to natural wine and Europe’s great brasseries, moody, intimate and unashamedly indulgent. Created by James Audas and Tom Sheer (of Lo-Fi Wines fame), the wine list spans over 800 bottles, curating rare vintages and minimal-intervention gems sourced from years of travel through Europe’s vineyards. But this isn’t just about what’s in your glass. Chef Ollie Wong-Hee (ex-Ester, Sixpenny) brings a refined yet relaxed menu that shifts weekly, guided by Northern Rivers farmers and producers. Think manchego-dusted shiitake chips, pippies in chicken broth, or a jasmine–passionfruit tart that lingers long after the last bite. With its bottle-green leather booths, mortadella-pink marble bar, and artworks by local friends, Bar Heather feels like the neighbourhood wine bar of dreams: one where every detail, from the pour to the playlist, has been poured over. It’s the place to lose track of time, whether it’s a first date, a Friday night debrief, or a solo glass that turns into two.
G9 Jonson Lane, 139 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481
https://www.barheather.com/
The Mez Club
The Mez Club is Byron’s ode to Mediterranean dining, with a menu that moves from grazing plates to generous feasts. Think charred octopus, lamb kofta, and woodfired flatbreads alongside cocktails laced with citrus and spice. Inspired by Moroccan riads and the Greek Islands, the space is all whitewashed walls, arches and sunlight, a setting that feels equal parts holiday and local hangout. Upstairs, The Souk is a dedicated cocktail bar perfect for parties and late-night gatherings, keeping the vibe alive long after dinner.
4/85-87 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481
https://www.themezclub.com.au
PLAY
Elements of Byron
Set across 50 acres of pristine beachfront, this award-winning resort blends barefoot luxury with nature at every turn. Stay in one of the architecturally designed villas, each inspired by the surrounding ecologies, from rainforest to wetlands with interiors that reflect the textures and tones of Byron’s landscape. Days here can be as slow or adventurous as you like: start with sunrise yoga on the beach, recharge at the spa, or sink into one of the lagoon-style pools (there’s even an adults-only pool with swim-up bar). The dining offering has levelled up too, with new Executive Chef Craig Robertson (ex-Hayman Island, Langham Gold Coast) championing local produce across the resort’s restaurants. Whether it’s a romantic getaway, family holiday, or simply a reason to indulge, Elements captures Byron’s beauty in every detail.
At Elements, Robertson is bringing a fresh focus on local produce and elevated coastal dining, weaving the flavours of the Northern Rivers into menus that celebrate the seasons.
144 Bayshore Dr, Byron Bay NSW 2481
https://elementsofbyron.com.au/
Basq House
For a boutique stay, Basq House is the kind of hideaway that feels more like a friend’s chic beach house than a hotel. With just 32 rooms, it’s intimate, design-led, and built for slow living. Guests can sink into the magnesium-heated pool surrounded by cabanas and daybeds, curl up with a book and a glass of wine in the cosy library, or linger fireside in the Living Room overlooking the pool. Wellness seekers will love NAVIA, the onsite Scandinavian-inspired bathhouse offering saunas, mineral soaks and restorative treatments — a serene counterpoint to Byron’s buzzing energy just outside the door. With its ethos of “arrive as guests, leave as friends,” Basq House blends relaxed luxury with a strong sense of community, making it a standout stay for those looking to recharge without losing touch with Byron’s social spirit.
Broken Head Reserve
Calling all thrill seekers and beach lovers! Do as the locals do, and take a short drive out of Byron and into the Broken Head Nature Reserve. Dotted along the edge of a one-way windy sand road, at the base of every valley sits a strip of beautiful beaches. At the end of this path, Seven-Mile Beach offers easy access to peaceful seclusion. If you’ve got your walking shoes on, make the tight park at the head of the Whites Beach Walking Track. At the bottom of this steep decent you’ll wish you’d brought survival provisions as you build yourself a beach hut to call home. Many more beaches line the expanse of the Broken Head Reserve ready for your footprints to be left in the sand.
Bay Grocer
A Byron institution that perfectly blurs the line between café, deli, and corner store, Bay Grocer is where locals gather for their daily fix. The shelves are stacked with the best of the Northern Rivers, from fresh produce and small-batch pantry staples (the roasted chickpeas will change your life) to house-made favourites and artisan treats. Stop by for a morning coffee and a pastry, grab a salad or toastie from the ever-changing cabinet, or stay longer over a casual lunch in the sun a chat with one of the team. More than just a grocer, it’s a community hub built on good food, good people, and a true taste of Byron. When we chatted with co-owner Jeremy, he revealed his go-to spots outside the shop: a half martini at Bar Heather (also featured in this guide) and live music at The Eltham Pub, proving he’s got just as much taste for where to play as what to eat.
Byron Bay Farmers Markets
Since December 2004, a colourful conglomerate has gathered upon the Butler Street Reserve bringing the local community a grower’s market. This flourishment of colour blooms every Thursday from 8am-11am. Grab a delicious almond croissant and a coffee from the Scratch Patisserie stall as you stroll around the markets. You will find all types of produce to meet your foodie needs. From the freshest fruit and veg, flowers and fine meats. There’s even stall dedicated to garlic! As you near the exit, arms hanging with goodie bags, be sure to revitalise. Head to Jungle Juice for your choice of juice or smoothie. For something more exotic, traverse to M2A Cane Juice, it’s a must.
Byron Bay Farmers Markets, Butler Street, Byron Bay, NSW 2481, (02) 6687 1137, Thursday 8am-11am, http://www.byronfarmersmarket.com.au
Cape Byron Lighthouse
Now, at last, if you’re up for it, and find pleasure in early morning rewards, walk to the lighthouse. As the most easterly point in Australia, from this location is where you will see the first sunrise of the day (within Australia that is). So, wipe your weary eyes, put your walking shoes on and get going. From the inner hub of Byron, to the Cape Byron Lighthouse is supposedly a 40-minute walk. However, Google Maps doesn’t seem to have noticed the incline of this iconic peak. Ensuring you don’t miss one moment of this beautiful transformation from night to day, leave yourself at least an hour. Once on top, find a cosy spot and watch the sky churn through sherbet shades of purple, blue, pink and orange until at last, it is day. The walk back down isn’t too bad either. Take it slow and soak up the views of The Pass and Main Beach, as the morning light shimmers across the ocean’s surface.
