A food lover’s guide to the Best Restaurants in Byron Bay

Byron Bay is one of the hippest towns in the whole of Australia. Their dining scene is pretty cool too, boasting lots of excellent restaurants, bistros and cafes that offer an exquisite assortment of international cuisine. If you are wondering where some of the best restaurants in Byron Bay are then check out these recommendations.

Forest

If you like your meal with a healthy side of nature, sustainability and eco-friendliness then head on over to Forest.

Located in the Crystalbrook Byron Hotel, this stunning restaurant works very closely with local artisans and farmers to produce fabulous dishes that champion local ingredients.

More than 80% of Forest’s ingredients come from within a 3 hour driving radius of the hotel. While they also only use sustainably sourced seafood and free-range proteins.

Expect to see Spencer Gulf mussels and Yamba chilli prawn bucatini on their menu, while their drinks list features over 30 sustainable, organic and biodynamic wines. As well as a range of delightful cocktails like a Paradiso with Brookie’s Dry Gin and the rather theatrical Fairy Dust Martini.

Address: 77-97 Broken Head Rd, Byron Bay NSW 2481

Miss Margarita

One of the trendiest hangouts in the whole of Byron, Miss Margarita is where the in-crowd meet. And for very good reason too because this funky Mexican cantina serves an awesome range of Nachos, Tacos, Enchiladas, Fajitas and Burritos that will transport you straight to Oaxaca!

Located in the heart of Byron, just off from the main beach, the cantina is a beautiful setting with artistic vintage tiles and other Mexican themed décor. Successfully blending the flavours and essence of Mexico with Byron’s famous, relaxed beach nature, ‘Miss Margs’ as the locals call it is casual dining at its best.

Address: 2 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481

Beach Kitchen, Beach Hotel Resort

You know you are on to a winner when you can merge location, with a great atmosphere and sensational food. And that is exactly what the Beach Kitchen at the Beach Hotel Resort does.

Just 50 metres from Main Beach, the recently refurbished restaurant, offers a fantastic selection of dishes that celebrate local food artisans.

Excelling in pizzas, some of their most popular offerings include beetroot and field mushroom, and Potato & Sobrasada. They also serve up a mean steak too, as well as excellent fresh local oysters and shell on prawns.

The drinks menu at their bar is extensive, while the venue also showcases live music performances. Which always creates a wonderful atmosphere.

Address: 1 Bay Ln, Byron Bay NSW 2481

Loft

Another great restaurant right next to Main Beach, Loft encapsulates the Byron Bay vibe arguably more than any other venue.

From a relaxed seaside terrace it offers up a superb range of locally sourced foods crafted by celebrated head chef Craig McFarland. His modern, Australian, all-day casual menu features such delights as Chilli caramel pork belly or Seared Hiramasa Kingfish.

While their exciting, yet refined cocktail menu adds spiced chai infusions to Whiskey Sours and paper bark smoked agave to Manhattan Twists.

Loft is definitely the kind of place to sit and linger. To settle in for a while with friends and wile away a few happy hours just being ‘Byron’.

Address: 9/4 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481

The Mez Club

Inspired by the Mediterranean, The Mez Club takes you on a culinary journey from Morocco to the Greek Islands, via France and Spain.

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Jonson Street, amongst many of Byron’s most popular bars, cafes and restaurants, The Mez Club offers an exceptional dining experience.

Served in a beautiful and elegant setting that has been inspired by the kind of architecture you would see in Marrakesh, dishes like panzanella salad and Moreton bay bug grace their menu.

Their drinks menu too is robust, and the atmosphere here is always relaxed and congenial.

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