9 Off-The-Beaten-Track Restaurants in Byron Bay

Whether you’ve been to Byron Bay many times or this is your first time visiting this excellent beachside town, sometimes it’s nice to find a hidden gem when it comes to Byron Bay restaurants. One of those places that only foodies or locals might know about, instead of the usual tourist spots. Not that it’s a bad idea to hit up the popular places—as they are popular for a reason—but the idea of a quiet lunch or dinner away from it all has its appeal as well.

We’ve gathered the names of 9 of the best Byron Bay restaurants, just a bit off the beaten path, to get you started on your food exploration in the Byron Bay area.

 1. Three Blue Ducks on The Farm

Located just outside of Byron Bay in Ewingsdale, Three Blue Ducks encourages visitors to explore the surrounding farm where they raise and grow much of what they put on the menu, along with fresh NSW seafood and other locally sourced food. The kid-friendly restaurant is all about the local produce and a hands-on concept from building their own tables, to local produce that is spray free.

The menu changes with the seasons and what the owners/chefs can find locally or on the farm. Another unique part of this concept restaurant is the bar. With 56 taps of Australian craft beers and mostly organic/biodynamic wines, the owners hope to minimise waste with fewer bottles, and maintain freshness. And so far, the concept seems to be working with demand for seating high. So be prepared to wait for a table, but that gives you a chance to explore the farm, visit the florist and check out the store where you can buy fresh organic bread from the Bread Social (next door to the restaurant) and milk when you finish your meal. There’s even a kids’ playground to entertain the kids after they look at the chickens and pigs.

Breakfast and lunch is available seven days a week from 7 am to 3 pm, and dinner is served from 5 to 9 pm Friday through Sunday.

Location:  11 Ewingsdale Rd, Ewingsdale

 2. Folk

This relatively new small eatery focuses on healthy food as well as coffee, smoothies and cold-pressed juices. It offers a relaxed setting in a cute cottage away from the town centre, off Ewingsdale. It has both indoor and outdoor seating, and don’t be surprised if people are just milling around the front yard, seated on anything from benches to milk crates to the grass. It would be a great place to grab breakfast or lunch. Follow the restaurant on Instagram so you can drool over the delicious concoctions they create.

Location:  399 Ewingsdale Rd., Byron Bay

 3. 100 Mile Table

Open 7 am to 2 pm for breakfast and lunch, this modern, industrial Byron Bay restaurant is located in the Arts and Industry Estate. 100 Mile Table’s menu changes fairly regularly based on what produce is available locally, but many of the popular standards stay on the menu (such as ham and cheese jaffles or crispy pork belly roll with Asian pickles). The café serves Marvel Street Coffee as well as freshly squeezed juices and other beverages. Watch for one of the café’s monthly pop-up events where the banquet-style food is served on long tables.

Location:  8 Banksia Dr., Byron Bay

4. Targa

Tucked away just minutes from the main drag of Byron Bay, Targa serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner. This Italian-focused restaurant serves a variety of delicious dishes, including dinner favourite: gnocchi, along with a host of beer, wine and cocktails. This little restaurant (room for a total of 55 guests) would be an excellent place for a quiet, romantic dinner during your holiday. Plus, the knowledgeable staff are helpful when pairing food and wine. However, don’t discount the other meals Targa serves, quite a few people raved about the breakfast on TripAdvisor.

Location: 11 Marvell St., Byron Bay

5. Mac’s Milkbar & Café

A favourite place to grab a yummy burger and a shake, Mac’s Milkbar & Café is worth a stop for a cheap lunch or to enjoy a coffee and breakfast before starting your day in Byron Bay. Located on Bangalow Road, Mac’s is on the way into the main drag of Byron Bay or a perfect pit stop after exploring some of the eastern side of Byron Bay. All the bread, buns and sweets are made fresh daily by Byron Hot Bread Kitchen, and the café serves up Australian Genovese Coffee. Plus, it offers gluten-free bread options so you can still experience the great burgers in buns. All in all, locals and holiday visitors highly recommend this restaurant!

Location: 26 Bangalow Rd., Byron Bay

6. Foam

In the nearby town of Lennox Head, Foam sits across the street from the popular Seven Mile Beach and looks like a beach shack, but is known for serving superb food. In fact, quite a few local and regional media have given the restaurant excellent reviews, including the Sydney Morning Herald. Foam offers lunch and dinner Wednesday through Friday, all three meals on Saturday and just breakfast and lunch on Sundays. The dinner menu changes weekly, and it is posted on Wednesdays so take a look and start planning what you want for both food and wine (it has an excellent wine list!).

Location: 41 Pacific Parade, Lennox Head

7. Doma

This restaurant, which has won over the locals, mixes traditional Japanese dishes with Australian cafe food. You’ll find everything from a brown rice and salmon rolls, to bacon and egg rolls. Pretty much everyone who comes to Doma gushes about the food, so feel free to try anything on the menu and expect it to be good. Plus, you’ll find that while the seating is limited, there’s a great outdoor area that offers up additional dining options and gives you a chance to enjoy more of that fresh air that you came on holiday for, right?! It’s worth the 20 km drive from Bryon Bay to this quaint little town, Federal, for an excellent lunch. Doma is open everyday.

Location: 3 Albert St, Federal  

8. Corner Kitchen

Started by the owners of the popular Corner Store, this Bangalow eatery would be the perfect way to start or end a day of shopping in what is considered by many one of the best places to shop in the Byron Bay area. Corner Kitchen serves up breakfast and lunch, and recently started serving pizza from 5 to 8 pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Be aware that this cafe is usually busy, especially on the weekend, but we wouldn’t be recommending it if it wasn’t worth a bit of waiting. Using locally grown and roasted Zentveld’s Coffee beans and fresh produce, you can feel good about what you’re eating and drinking when you visit this establishment.

Location: 3/38 Byron St, Bangalow 

9. Francisco’s Table

This is really off-the-beaten track recommendation for you. Check out roaming or “pop-up” dinners by Francisco’s Table. What does that mean? Well, it means you won’t find a brick and mortar location for this restaurant, but rather you have to catch one of its delicious dinners at its next pop-up location. If you follow Francisco’s Table Facebook page, you can find out the next location for one of his feasts. Francisco’s Table normally pops up at town halls, with occasional meals at places like the Mullum Farmers Market or recently at the Food Smith Cafe & Pantry.

Location: Varies

Don’t miss more restaurant recommendations on our 15 Best Byron Bay Restaurants, Cafes & Bakeries.

Stay at Broken Head and Make it a Foodie Holiday

Book either a powered or non-powered campsite or one of the beach shacks or houses at Broken Head Holiday Park and get ready to indulge in the great food offered at these off-the-beaten-path restaurants above. There are so many great restaurants in Byron Bay that you’ll be glad to save money on your accommodation so you can try out more delicious places to eat.