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31 Best Byron Bay Restaurants & Cafes To Visit In 2024

Looking for the best Byron Bay restaurants and cafes? There’s a high standard when comparing the quality of food in Byron Bay, so foodies listen up! You won’t be disappointed by the abundance of delicious food to choose from.

I have to say, Byron Bay serves up some of the best food on the East Coast. While other beach towns in Australia are still stuck in the fish & chips, parmies and burger era, expect an abundance of healthy food and farm to plate quality in Byron Bay.

With so many new restaurants and long standing favourites to choose from, we’re sharing our absolute favourites for you to add to your list when you’re visiting the Northern Rivers!

We’ll start with some of best Byron Bay cafes before diving into the restaurants to choose from. If you’re wondering what there is to do during your visit, check out our popular guide, Best Things To Do In Byron Bay.


Where to go for breakfast or lunch

1. Masa

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If croissants and homemade sourdough is your thing, head to Masa in the Habitat Precinct industrial estate. Like the cult following Lune in Melbourne has received, Masa has built a similar following for the local Byron Bay community. We haven’t had a chance to visit yet, but I must say the croissants look insane.

Heading on a road trip?
Check out our 22 Places To Stop On Your Sydney To Byron Bay Road Trip Guide.

2. Combi

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Known for its organic and vegan-friendly offerings, Combi is an oasis for smoothie bowl fanatics! Its brightly coloured interior and laid-back atmosphere make it the go-to spot for a nutritious pick-me-up, making it a favourite among locals and tourists.


3. Byron Bay General Store

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One of the busiest and best breakfasts in Byron Bay is the Byron Bay General Store on the Bangalow Road. This is the place to come for smashed avo and acai bowls, but be prepared as it’s gets very busy here.


4. Top Shop

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Top Shop is a bit of an institution in Byron Bay as the go to cafe for the locals. Its’ a really popular spot and you’ll see a lot girls opting for the Acai bowl’s (like me!) and the guys going for the burgers! It’s a fab breakfast spot but it gets busy. I love how people just sit out on the grass to hangout in the sun and eat their food. Such a lovely chilled vibe!


5. Folk Byron Bay

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Folk Byron Bay is always one of those cafes we also gravitate towards. The vegetarian and plant based cafe serves up food from local farmers. The beautiful space is one of the most popular cafes in the Northern Rivers with outdoor dining and great food! When you’ve finished your breakfast or lunch, head to the fantastic Mr Vintage nearby for local vintage clothes shopping.


6. Roadhouse

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Roadhouse is another Byron Bay institution. The long standing cafe serves up healthy breakfast and lunch menu with options for dinner including tapas and pizza nights. When we visited, I had a green bowl and remembering it being one of the best meals I had ever tasted!


7. Manna Haven

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Manna Haven is an incredible healthy vegetarian and vegan cafe ran by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. We went there for lunch and I had the Fresh Bowl – an oven baked garlic tortilla bowl filled with zestabouli quinoa salad, hummus, sriracha sauce and moist falafels, topped with tatziki. It was huge and absolutely amazing!! It’s a must visit in Byron! Please note, it’s not open on Saturdays.


8. Bayleaf Cafe

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Bayleaf Cafe is a beloved local institution in Byron Bay, known for its innovative brunches and excellent coffee. This cafe buzzes with energy and community spirit, offering a menu that’s both nourishing and indulgent. With a focus on sustainable and local produce, Bayleaf Cafe is the place to rub shoulders with locals and enjoy the vibrancy of Byron’s food scene. It’s a culinary highlight for any visitor looking to start their day with a taste of local life.


Must visit spots for breakfast or lunch outside of Byron Bay

9. Doma Cafe in Federal

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Located about a 30 minute drive outside of Byron Bay will bring you to Doma Cafe in Federal. We absolutely love this cafe for it’s unique combination of Japanese and Australian food. You might wonder about eating Japanese food for breakfast, but trust me on this one. The sushi rolls are exceptional and the Doma Brekkie is a winner when wondering what to order.

If you’re visiting Doma Cafe, continue into Nightcap National Park and visit the famous Minyon Falls, swim in Whian Whian Falls and hike to Protester Falls.


10. Lilium Cafe

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It’s a 45 minute drive out to the hinterland but Lilium cafe blew us away. It’s hands down our new favourite cafe in the Byron shire. The vegetable oil free and organic cafe has exceptional views of the hinterland with beautiful calming rainforest vibes, a fantastic soundtrack of music and beautiful food. I ordered the chicken congee and it was so good! I loved watching the chef pick herbs and salad from the garden in front of us, and would come back to this cafe time and time again.

Their speciality is cacao based tonics, serving up healing hot drinks that you’ll instantly realise you’ve never tasted anything else better. This cafe is pure bliss! The serve up pizzas on a Saturday night, but I’m guessing you should probably book in advance.


11. Crystal Castle Lotus Cafe

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Crystal Castle in the Byron Hinterland is another little gem as the restaurant serves up exceptional vegetarian food, all sourced from their own garden. Expect dishes like ricotta and spinach lasagna, green frittata and an Indian plate. The views are spectacular from here and you’ll feel totally rejuvenated after a visit.

Please note, to access the cafe here, you’ll need to pay the entrance fee which includes access to the Shambala Garden and the world’s largest crystals.


Best lunch and dinner restaurants in Byron Bay

12. Karkalla

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We visited Karkalla very recently which is a fantastic relaxed fine dining restaurant. Even though it’s a small restaurant, I love how open and welcoming it is with the open doors which flows onto the street.

The locally sourced food features seasonal dishes and native indigenous ingredients which are absolutely delicious. It’s a share style dishes affair, so we tucked into about four different dishes and loved all of the unique flavours – even the damper sourdough bread and butter is honestly the best I’ve ever eaten!

Make sure you put this restaurant on your list! We walked away saying it was one of the best meals we have had in a long time!


13. Daughter in Law

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We went to Daughter In Law to celebrate our anniversary and we loved it! This is a cool Indian restaurant run by chef and owner, Jessi Singh. With restaurants located in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne, try the degustation menu like we did and sip on cocktails in this neon, colourful restaurant for a fun night out!


14. Bang Bang

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We’ve been to the Bang Bang in Noosa and can confirm it is excellent. While it’s difficult to get a booking at the Bang Bang in Byron Bay, book ahead because it’s always full for a reason. This hip stylish space serves up delicious Asian food and cocktails that are to die for. Honestly, you won’t regret coming here!


15. Bonito at Hotel Marvell

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One of the newest restaurants in Byron is Bonito, located at Byron’s first five star resort, Hotel Marvell. With a strong nod to fresh fish and plant based dining, this seafood restaurant is a must visit for anyone who is a foodie.

Although the restaurant is located on the ground floor, make sure you check out the fabulous rooftop bar complete with an pool to enjoy.


16. Forest Byron Bay

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Forest Byron Bay is located at the Crystalbrook (formerly Byron at Byron) but wow, what a restaurant. Situated literally next to a rainforest opposite Tallow Beach, over 80% of the menu is locally sourced within a three hour radius of the resort – how amazing!

If the cocktail menu doesn’t inspire you, choose from over 30 organic and biodynamic wines!


17. Rae‘s On Wategos

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One of the best restaurants in Byron Bay is without a doubt the long standing, Raes On Wategos. Located opposite the beautiful Wategos Beach, come here for a long lunch or for a sunset dinner and you won’t regret it. The food is Mediterranean inspired cuisine by executive chef, Jason Saxby. You can also stay in this luxury boutique accommodation and enjoy the sounds of the waves at night. Pure bliss!


18. No Bones

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There are some amazing plant based food restaurants in Byron Bay to choose from, but No Bones is the one that all of our Instagram followers kept telling us to visit. With plenty of share plates to choose from, you won’t be disappointed with the quality of this vegan restaurant in Byron Bay.


19. Moonlight

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Moonlight is a Hibachi Grill and wine bar serving up modern Japanese food in this small but hip restaurant in Byron Bay. It opened late 2022 and has picked up talk about being one of the best restaurants in Byron Bay! Run by the team behind Light Years, this tucked away restaurant on Bay Lane features local seafood as well as biodynamic wines picked around the time of the lunar cycle.


20. The Smoking Camel

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Just in front of Moonlight is The Smoking Camel, a modern and kitsch nod to traditional Middle Eastern cuisine, again from the team behind Moonlight and Light Years. We went for dinner and managed to walk straight in without a booking. I think we got lucky as it did fill up quickly.

The dishes are again designed to be shared, and the highlight for us was the half chicken. This is a fun place to come with friends and enjoy a couple of cocktails with dinner in this tucked away restaurant.


21. Light Years

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And so, it’s only right that we continue this theme by mentioning Light Years! Located at the end of Johnston Lane Precinct, Light Years is a modern Asian restaurant also located in Noosa, Burleigh and Newcastle. The pink dining room is one of the most popular restaurants in Byron Bay food good reason. Serving up amazing food and a cocktail list to die for, this is the perfect date night experience.


22. Pixie

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We took some friends to Pixie when they visited from UK and we absolutely loved this Italian restaurant. The food is exceptional here at this all day diner. Book for lunch on the weekend as they run an affordable set menu if you’re looking to eat at a decent restaurant without the price tag.

It’s one of those places we would book time and time again, if there wasn’t so many other restaurants in Byron Bay for us to try!


23. Three Blue Ducks

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Three Blue Ducks at The Farm is like a version of The Grounds in Sydney. The food is exceptional here with a very farm to plate aesthetic run by head chef Mark Hannell. With a grocery store, florist, farm tours even kids workshops, this is more than just a restaurant to visit. If The Three Blue Ducks is out of your price range, order a hamper and enjoy a picnic on the grounds here.

You can order a toastie or pick up food at the bakery here if you fancy just popping along to see the farm animals without having to have a sit down meal here.


24. The Mez Club

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The Mez Club is a trendy restaurant in the heart of Byron Bay, blink and you could be in a beach bar in Bali or Ibiza. The mediterranean inspired menu offers tapas and fresh hand crafted cocktails. While we only came here for the cocktail bar, we would totally come back for dinner next time to try the mediterranean influence menu when we’re in Byron Bay for sure. It’s the perfect date night restaurant in the middle of town so you can leave your car at home or at your accommodation for the night.


25. Loft Byron Bay

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Loft Byron Bay is a vibrant and stylish venue that sits almost opposite the famous Byron Bay Hotel, offering an airy, relaxed atmosphere. Its coastal-chic decor complements the modern Australian menu that features fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The craft cocktails and expansive wine list are reasons alone to visit. Loft is a perfect spot for sunset views and a sophisticated dinner, making it a top choice for both locals and tourists seeking a memorable dining experience.


26. Lovers Lane

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While many people come to Lovers Lane for their legendary parties and cocktail bar, the food is actually presented by ex-Chin Chin chef Tyler Preston. Expect Sydney rock oysters, and fantastic tacos and share plates to enjoy while you’re sipping on your cocktails.


27. Treehouse

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Treehouse is a fab little cafe and restaurant. With live music, a laid-back vibe, and an eclectic menu that ranges from wood-fired pizzas to fresh salads, it’s a slice of Byron’s hippie nature. Located next door to Wake Up! hostel, expect a backpacker crowd with a mixture of locals.


28. Beach Byron Bay

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Beach Byron Bay captures the essence of coastal luxury dining with an unparalleled view of the ocean. Whether you’re there for a morning coffee or an evening meal, the restaurant offers a sophisticated menu that pairs perfectly with the panoramic sea vistas. The emphasis on fresh local seafood and high-quality produce ensures a dining experience that is as spectacular as the view.


29. Harvest

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We were recommended Harvest by some locals as it’s a gorgeous restaurant in Newybar which is a 20 minutes drive out of Byron. This upmarket restaurant serves up local Australian local produce and is a fantastic option for those looking for fine dining room outside of Byron Bay. While the food is good, you can opt for the bakery and deli next door if you’re looking for a cheaper option.


30. Frida’s Field

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Set in the Byron Bay Hinterland, Frida’s Field is a testament to sustainability and the slow food movement. With a menu that celebrates the bounty of their own farm and neighbouring producers, dining here is an experience like no other.

The farm-to-fork experience is elevated by the restaurant’s commitment to seasonal ingredients, and their long-table lunches offer a communal, celebratory atmosphere where you’ll get to know other diners while sitting all together.


31. Mavis’s Kitchen

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Mavis’s Kitchen is a rustic retreat set against the majestic backdrop of Mount Warning. The restaurant is housed in a charming, converted farmhouse and serves up a menu that’s both comforting and gourmet, utilising organic produce from their garden. We absolutely love the area around Mavis Kitchen, with the small town of Uki being one of our favourite places.


More Byron Bay travel guides!

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Check out our other popular Byron travel guides to help you plan your trip!


Best Byron Bay Restaurants

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