THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN BYRON BAY

Byron Bay, a coastal town in New South Wales, is known for its pristine beaches, laid-back lifestyle, and a vibrant food scene. The town’s unique blend of cultures and cuisines has attracted food enthusiasts from all over the world, making it a sought-after destination for fine dining.

Whether you’re a food connoisseur looking for the next culinary adventure or simply seeking a luxurious night out, Byron Bay has it all.

So sit back, relax, and let us tantalize your taste buds with the finest dining experiences the town has to offer!

THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN BYRON BAY

PIXIE FOOD & WINE

CUISINE: Italian
ADDRESS: 139 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia (Location Map)
OPENING HOURS: Daily 8.30am – 11pm
INSTAGRAM: @pixiebyronbay

Created with an appreciation for food, wine, music and company, Pixie Food & Wine has made its mark as Byron Bay’s first day-to-night Italian eatery. Featuring delectable dining offerings that lean into European coastlines and cobblestone cities, Pixie effortlessly combines Byron Bay’s laidback ambiance with the best of inner-city dining.

Designed by Belle Magazine’s ‘Designer of the Year’ David Flack of Flack Studio, the interiors are a homage to 1970s Italy. Offbeat elements and a rich material palette create a space that is both artistically driven yet innately comfortable.

Enjoy a cocktail and snack at the bar, sip on a spritz in the alfresco dining area, or settle into the main dining room for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Salivate over the menu at Pixie Food & Wine here, one of the best restaurants in Byron Bay.

RAES DINING ROOM

CUISINE: Australian, Mediterranean
ADDRESS: 6-8 Marine Parade, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia
OPENING HOURS: Daily 12pm – 10pm
INSTAGRAM: @raesonwategos

When it comes to holidaying in Byron, a Raes experience is always high on the agenda – and for good reason. Set to the backdrop of Wategos Beach, you don’t have to fork out for a hotel room to enjoy an enviable Raes photo moment with both the upmarket dining room and casual, yet equally chic, terrace area open for non-guests of the hotel.

The food offering is spearheaded by Jason Saxby (previously Pilu and Quay) who has created a menu that offers a delightful take on modern Australian dining. It’s fine dining, yes but it’s presented in a breezy, and dare we say it, ‘Byron Bay way’ thanks to the relaxed wait staff and coastal interiors designed by Tamsin Jonson.

Salivate over the menu at Raes Dining Room here, one of the best restaurants in Byron Bay.

LIGHT YEARS ASIAN DINER

CUISINE: Asian
ADDRESS: 139 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia
OPENING HOURS: Daily 12pm – late
INSTAGRAM: @lightyearsasiandiner

Originating in Byron Bay in 2017, Light Years Asian Diner quickly established itself as a favourite for both locals and tourists alike. So much so, that the brand grew from one to four venues across the East Coast (Newcastle, Burleigh Heads and Noosa) and in late 2022 they upgraded their Byron Bay venue to a brand-spanking new space three times the size of the original!

With gorgeous interiors by local firm Studio Plenty and custom furniture by designer Sarah Ellison, the reimagined Light Years Byron steps away from their signature tropical interiors in favour of a more refined palette of peach, earth-toned reds, and clay-coloured hues. Beautiful as the fit out is, the main star of the show remains the food. There is nothing remotely subtle about this menu, nor is their meant to be. Each and every dish is punchy and full of flavour!

Check out the menu at Light Years Asian Diner here, one of the best restaurants in Byron Bay.

MOONLIGHT BAR

CUISINE: Japanese
ADDRESS: Bay Ln, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia
OPENING HOURS: Daily 5pm – 10pm
INSTAGRAM: @moonlightbyronbay

Located in Bay Lane, Moonlight Hibachi Grill and Wine Bar is the moody little sister of Light Years Asian Diner. Modern, monochromatic, and intimate, the menu incorporates flavours from classical Japanese cuisine and reinterprets them into unexpected and punchy dishes.

Given that it’s a wine bar, you’ll find a real energy behind the biodynamic selection. Expect delicate, crisp and aromatic wines to go with the equally delicate and raw dishes, along with some punchy, vibrant, textural wines to match with the grilled offerings. Ready yourself for a sensory overload!

Check out the menu at Moonlight Bar here, one of the best restaurants in Byron Bay.

THE HUT

CUISINE: Mediterranean
ADDRESS: 471 Friday Hut Rd, Possum Creek NSW 2479, Australia
OPENING HOURS: Thursday – Sunday, 12pm – 6pm
INSTAGRAM: @thehut.byronbay

Ah The Hut, how we love thee! If it’s old fashioned hospitality you’re looking for then look no further than The Hut. The Mediterranean inspired menu is pleasurable from the beginning to end, with a well-rounded snacks selection, rotating mains, and moreish pastas.

Located in a weatherboard house in the Byron’s hinterlands, the gorgeous venue is ideal for long indulgent lunches accompanied by a few too many martinis. Make sure you leave the car at home and either Uber or speak to the venue about their transfer options.

Salivate over the menu at The Hut here, one of Byron Bay’s best restaurants.

BAR HEATHER

CUISINE: European
ADDRESS: G9 Jonson Lane, 139 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia
OPENING HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday, 5pm – 12am
INSTAGRAM: @heather.bar

If you work in hospitality, there’s a high chance you’ve heard of Bar Heather given its mass of talented alumni from a collection of Australia’s best venues. Making itself at home nestled in the heart of Jonson Lane (also the home of the aforementioned Light Years Asian Diner and Pixie Food & Wine) Bar Heather is a beautifully designed natural wine bar with highly knowledgeable staff and a complimentary menu of bar snacks and share style dishes. Do yourself a favour and finish on their signature banana ice-cream sandwich with vegemite caramel!

Salivate over the menu at Bar Heather here, one of Byron Bay’s best restaurants.

BELONGIL BEACH ITALIAN FOOD

CUISINE: Italian
ADDRESS: 33-35 Childe St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia
OPENING HOURS: Monday – Friday, 5pm – late; Saturday – Sunday, 12pm – late
INSTAGRAM: @belongilbeachitalianfood

The brainchild of restaurateur Maurice Terzini, Belongil Beach Italian Food is a fabulous new restaurant in Belongil Beach. The breezy pink-hued interiors are adorned with a vibrant collection of loosely hanging canvas art pieces by the likes of Marty Baptist and Ozzy Wrong creating a funky yet welcoming atmosphere with a sprinkle of European Beach Club. The service is laidback but they don’t miss a beat, creating a relaxed environment for diners to spend long lazy afternoons grazing through modern Italian cuisine.

Check out the menu at Belongil Beach Italian Food here, one of the best restaurants in Byron Bay.

NO BONES

CUISINE: Vegetarian
ADDRESS: 11 Fletcher St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia
OPENING HOURS: Sunday – Thursday, 5pm – 10pm; Friday – Saturday, 5pm – 11pm
INSTAGRAM: @nobonesrestaurants

No Bones skips the lentil curries to create a vegan menu that embraces the texture and flavours familiar to meat-eaters. Designed to share, there’s a deliberate sense of familiarity to the menu with dishes such as prawn tacos, calamari, fried chick’n and a Caesar salad complete with brussel bac’n all mind-blowingly close to their meat counterparts.

The recently revamped interiors are a mix of alfresco and indoor dining, with a slick new bar space and easy-breezy seating arrangements. It’s comfy, cosy and full of old-school Byron charm.

Check out the menu at No Bones here, one of Byron Bay’s best restaurants.

DI VINO

CUISINE: Italian
ADDRESS: shops 4/2 Fletcher St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia
OPENING HOURS: Daily, 5pm – late
INSTAGRAM: @divinobyron

When the mood strikes, there’s no craving greater than that of Italian food. And while there are many wonderful Italian options in town Di Vino holds a special place in the hearts of locals and tourists alike. Melt in your mouth fish crudo, plates of prosciutto and dry-aged bresaola, and gorgeous gooey burrata will start you off, followed by a small yet well-rounded selection of house-made pastas which change regularly.

We recommend paying close attention to the specials menu as they have a rotating offering of fish and steak specials that are not to be missed!

Salivate over the menu at Di Vino here, one of Byron Bay’s best restaurants.

KOUZINA

CUISINE: Greek
ADDRESS: 1/1 Acacia St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia
OPENING HOURS: Thursday – Saturday, 5pm – 9pm
INSTAGRAM: @kouzina_byronbay

A little slice of Greece tucked away in Byron’s industrial estate. The no menu policy makes this taverna style restaurant a no-brainer for groups who love to chat! On arrival, the friendly waitstaff will advise dinner is set menu and before too long you’ll be presented with mezze platters of dips, labneh, olives, pickled vegetables and pita bread. This is followed by two rounds of shared mains, before rounding out the evening with a Greek-styled petit four.

It’s worth mentioning that while the menus are set, they have no trouble catering for dietary requirements. Oh, and it’s BYO so don’t forget to head to the bottle-shop on your way in if you’re looking to enjoy a glass of wine with your meal.

Salivate over the menu at Kouzina here, one of the best restaurants in Byron Bay.