Best cafes in Byron Bay: Kings and queens of Byron Bay’s cafe scene revealed
Byron Bay is famous for its beaches, celebrity appeal and taste for tourism – and there’s no shortage of trendy coffee spots. Meet the visitor hub’s cafe kings and queens.
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Byron Bay cafes work tirelessly to stand out from the crowd in the bustling tourist town, with the resulting coffee and food offerings well worth celebrating.
These are some of the venues setting the standard for the best acai bowls, smoothies and vegetarian brunches, among other fare, being snapped up by Byron residents and those flocking to the beach for an escape.
Here are the cafe kings and queens of Byron Bay.
Folk Byron Bay
Folk Byron Bay prides itself on the venue’s warm vibe and ambience blending nature and art.
Shaun Saville and his wife Candice Saville purchased Folk on Ewingsdale Rd about a year after a decade long stint by the original owner.
Mr Saville said he wanted to uphold the character Folk has always been known for – and to maintain a focus on homegrown produce and food made from scratch in the cafe.
“All our products are made with love. We are committed to vegetarian and plant-based eating,” Mr Saville said.
“We care about your health and the environment.”
Mr Saville said Folk hosts events and workshops to bring the community together.
“Folk Byron Bay creates a cozy space where you can relax, enjoy great food and connect with like-minded individuals,” he said.
“Not only does it prioritise sustainability and ethical practices, but it also takes pride in serving a diverse menu that caters to all dietary preferences.
“Our food and coffee standard is always exceptional, partnered with our warm staff, classic tunes and chill garden vibe.”
The Pass Cafe
The Pass Cafe is a stone’s throw from much-loved Byron beach The Pass, which attracts surfers and other water users from across the globe.
The cafe dishes up yummy food, killer coffee and super healthy smoothies for beachgoers and those simply looking to soak up the sights of Arakwal National Park.
Owners Kylie Fitzpatrick and her husband Dean Gibson, who has been a chef in Byron for 35 years, have been the faces behind the long-running cafe since 2010.
The Pass Cafe is a family-owned business and Ms Fitzpatrick said her children have all pitched in at The Pass Cafe.
She said the secret to the venue’s success was family involvement and plain old hard work.
“We also pride ourselves on providing the freshest food, good-sized portions, amazing service and the best coffee,” she said.
Bali Bagus Cafe
Bali Bagus Cafe is across the road from the Byron Bay Surf Club and, like many of the town’s cafes, welcomes customers strolling in with sandy feet and wet hair.
Owners Jack Webb and Mel Gleissner fell in love with the Northern Rivers while on holiday and opened the cafe in 2015.
“It’s where heart meets hospitality … with a focus on building relationships with its customers by creating a welcoming space for the community,” the pair stated.
“Chances are we know your order as soon as we see our regulars come through the doors.
“We believe in giving back to the local community and recently donated to the flood relief. We continue to look for ways to give back and support our local heroes and organisations.”
The owners strongly believe in backing other local businesses and only use coffee sourced from Byron roasters.
“We love our customers and our team – they are an amazing bunch of people,” they said.
Top Shop
Back in the day Top Shop was a 1950s milk bar, now it’s a thriving cafe where people go for brunch and to lounge on the grass out the front.
Located on a hill on the corner of Massinger and Carlyle St, owner Charlie Gordon took over the cafe around the time Splendour in the Grass was held back in 2008.
Mr Gordon said he values supporting North Coast suppliers, who provide Top Shop with sustainable and ethically-sourced food.
“We value providing our staff with a supportive, nurturing and empowering workplace,” he said.
Mr Gordon said the secret to his business success was hard work and loving his job.
“We experience true happiness when we walk through the door every morning,” he said.
“I think this feeling is picked up by our customers and keeps us all coming back.”
Otherside
The Otherside pitches itself as a healthly cafe with reasonable prices.
It opened in the Byron Arts & Industry estate during the end of Covid pandemic lockdowns in 2021.
The cafe prides itself on being environmentally friendly and warding off “too cool Byron” vibes.
Co-owners Anthony Gadsden and Manu Solis operated cafes in Sydney, Brisbane and even New York in the US before moving to Byron.
“We wanted to find a small cafe site that would be safe for young families while being outdoors,” Mr Gadsden explained.
The cafe features a much-loved outdoor garden terrace and has plenty of parking on site, making it a convenient option for those chasing a no-fuss feed.
Soul Kitchen Cafe
Byron residents and visitors line up at this cafe on wheels, which features simple tucker done well – perfect for a no-fuss bite by the beach.
The business has been bringing people together around Wategos Beach and Raes Hotel since 2017.
Owner Michael Ibrahim ran four Soul Kitchen trucks across Melbourne, but he downsized in 2016 to allow his family to “move to Byron for a change in lifestyle”.
He has loved settling into “a slower paced environment with beach vibes”.
“When I decided to bring the kombi to Byron, my long-time friends who own Rae’s on Wategos offered me the spot on the premises to create a takeaway menu for the hotel,” he said.
“It was a dream come true.”
Manna Haven
Manna Haven is a vegetarian hot spot in Byron and a popular location to grab coffee or food for the road.
The not-for-profit Jonson St venue has been operated by the Byron Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church since 2018.
Manager Bryce Wegener said the cafe’s peaceful lawn offers a chance for customers to kick back and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, if only for a moment.
“The staff are dedicated to accepting and loving everyone who walks through the door,” he said.
“Byron is also known for it’s alternative healthy choice lifestyle so we wanted promote this type of living through healthy food choices to the local community and the many visitors that come.”
Fundies Organics
Fundies, one of the longest standing cafes in the list, is a top spot to people watch on Jonson St while sipping on an organic coffee or munching on a guilt-free spot of “home cooking”.
The cafe has been open more than three decades and has been a mainstay in town long before the celebrities like Chris Hemsworth helped make Byron something of a household name internationally.
Owner Paul Waters said he strives to sell ethically sourced drinks and organic food with a healthy twist.
“We are very serious about organic home-style cooking and super healthy organic salads,” he said.
“Our private garden setting is a unique place where locals meet and visitors watch the eclectic passing parade of the Byron streetscape.”
The Hum
There’s so many brilliant cafes in town, but not many can boast ocean views like The Hum.
Owners Dylan Bailey and Josh Johnston opened the cafe on Bay St in December 2021.
Mr Johnston said the cafe puts an emphasis on making everything from scratch to ensure the highest quality.
“The Hum has a ‘quick-meets-casual’ concept,” Mr Johnston said.
“Our entire offering is designed for customers to either hang out or take out.
“Growing up here really instilled a love for the small town beachside culture, an anchored community and the waves of energy that roll in as the town lights up during summer.”
Mr Johnston said the cafe has experienced tough times due to the pandemic, staff shortages, the devastating 2022 floods and the current cost of living crisis.
“Our team, most of which have been with us since we opened our doors, learned whole new levels of resilience and a genuine care and consideration for each and every customer that walks into The Hum,” he said.
“Our mission is to provide an uplifting experience for our customers day in, day out with friendly service and super delicious food and drinks.
“We look forward to paving the way for an easy daily ritual for as many Byron Bay locals and visitors as we’re lucky enough to meet.”
Three Blue Ducks
It’s not so much a cafe as a restaurant, but we’ll let this one slip through.
The venue is nestled on an 80-acre working farm boasting Cape Byron views and a rustic charm – and is a wishlist item for many venturing to Byron or surrounds for a holiday.
Three Blue Ducks opened at Byron in 2014 and supports sustainable farming.
Owners include some big names in the culinary world: Darren Robertson, Sam Reid, Chris Sorrell, Jeff Bennett, Mark LaBrooy and MasterChef judge Andy Allen.
The venue’s marketing whiz Sam Martin said visitors enjoy seasonal, farm-to-table dishes crafted using ingredients nearly all sourced from the property and North Coast suppliers.
“Our dedication to sustainable practices is a large focus, by composting all of our food waste, (renewable) drinking water and using solar power to run the restaurant,” he said.
“We’re continually on the hunt for the most sustainable methods to run our restaurant in Byron Bay.”
Mr Martin said the Three Blue Ducks is also a popular wedding destination.
“We have one of the best wedding locations in Byron. Our couples can get married in a macadamia orchard, followed by a farm-style wedding feast overlooking the beautiful grounds,” he said.
Mr Martin said the key to the venue’s success was a quality dining experience, dedication to “real food” and the team’s conscious approach to running a restaurant.
Combi Byron Bay
This Fletcher St favourite opened its doors in Byron in 2016 and is now owned by Christel Walters.
It’s a haven for organic food, like many of its competitors in the increasingly competitive Byron cafe scene.
Ms Walters said owning a restaurant in Byron was not just about the food and drinks.
“We bring a great vibe with our casual setting, but also everything about us needs to be photogenic – from the venue to the way we plate up our food,” she said.
“We love giving local farmers and produce creators a stage to showcase their incredible products.
“We share the love and want everyone to know where everything comes from.”
Ms Walters said it was important staff members feel appreciated and enjoy coming to work, helping to cultivate a welcoming atmosphere.
“It comes through to the customers. The customers can feel the happy and positive vibes that come from the staff,” she said.
“We have created a lot of personal and beautiful relationships with a lot of our local customers and they are the ones that spread the love about Combi.”
Ms Walters said providing discounts to and more of a focus on regulars was one key to Combi’s success.
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