Byron Bay Restaurant Tips by leffe3

Restaurant Name: Fresh

One of the more upmarket restaurants in Byron itself, but without being pretentious or up itself.

Being on the corner, has two sides of outside dining - either on the main street where all the action is or down the side street where its a bit quieter. Inside roomy with plenty of spce between the tables.

Staff extremely attentive and friendly without being too much.

Favorite Dish: International menu which surprisingly works. Specials excellent too. King Snapper on mash with a mussel and black olive bouillon was rather fine, the fish fresh from the bay that day. The Hokkien Noodle with Chicken, Mushroom and Bok Choy exploded with flavour.

Also BYO with an excellent wine shop right next door.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: Corner of Lawson/Bay Streets, near beach

Restaurant Name: Hog's Breath

We probably wouldn't have hit this place if it wasn't for the fact that we were starving on a early Sunday evening: most of the other interesting places in Byron had yet to open (especially the highly regarded Red, Hot & Thai). So a chain steakbar it was.

Typical Americana decor - posters, photos, sporting paraphenalia alongside more personal things 'lying' around on shelves etc. Photo menu is never my favourite but we were there to eat and while it may not have been the most subtle of foods, steak, fries and veg or salad was the order and that's exactly what you received.

Favorite Dish: Wide-range of steaks available and while there's other grills on offer, advice is to stick to the red meat.

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Theme: Steakhouse
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: Lawson St - bay end of Byron

Restaurant Name: Harvest

Harvest is an extraordinary find in the most unlikely of spots, approximately 20kms outside Byron on the Pacfiic Highway (about 3kms south of Bangalow). Newrybar is a village of a few houses, a general store and a small, old fashioned garage. In the heart of the 'main' street is the old bakery (1893) converted with a certain Sydney style into Harvest Cafe.
Whitewashed clapperboard, verandah running round two sides, enough tables to keep the staff busy (in and out), not enough to cope with the enormous demand. People drive from Brisbane (2.5 hours) just for (booked) lunch here. No wonder it won Best Breakfast Award earlier this year.

Favorite Dish: Forget bacon and eggs, pancakes or muesli when you come here for breakfast. There's no point. Try corncakes, spinach, grilled tomatoes, poached eggs and jalapeno yogurt - or pan-seared mushrooms served with ricotta on slabs of sourdough - or potato cakes served with smoked salmon, hollandaise sauce, wilted spinach and poached eggs. or or or.......

Coffee is also great - strong and served imediately on request (as everything is so fresh, you will have to wait for your food, especially if its busy.

And while Harvest may be something that would fit so easily into trendier parts of Sydney, Manhatten, London etc, one huge advantage is that its country NSW prices!! :)
Less than A$15 will buy you coffee and a breakfast that will keep you going for most of the day (which is a shame as their lunches also sound fantastic !)

Closed Mondays.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 02 6887 2644
Address: Newrybar
Directions: Off Pacific Highway - Newrybar sign-posted a few kms south of Bangalow

Restaurant Name: Moo Moo Cafe, Mooball

I suppose a town called Mooball would inevitably have an obsession with cows! But nothing quite prepares you for it - the lamp and telegraph posts all painted as a black and white cow hide, garden sheds, letter boxes, parts of buildings etc.

And then there is the Moo Moo Cafe. Time seems to have stopped still here (with the exception of the coffee machine!) as you enter the old petrol station that is nothing more than an extended tin shed with a Cow Museum and trinket shop attached! Full breakfasts and burgers (what elese?) at ultra cheap prices and a outside 'dining' area which is nothing more than a field with a few tables and chairs scattered around 'out back'. It may not be worth doing a detour for but its a fun stop if passing through.


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Theme: Other
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter

Restaurant Name: Shelly's On The Beach

Very popular spot overlooking the ocean. Essentially a kiosk with a large terrace (partially covered) with the best view in Ballina - we were lucky enough to spot dolphins out to see while eating an enormous breakfast (strangely named 'dolphin' or the even bigger 'whale' breakfast - thankfully neither featured their namesakes!).

Favorite Dish: Breakfasts are the popular item here although its location and being one of the few places serving this part of the beach ensures that it is busy throughout the day.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter