Of course, due to its vast stretches of virtually untouched coastline, Byron Bay attracts locals and visitors with a passion for the outdoors. Surfers, swimmers and hikers alike take to the sea, or hinterland surrounding Byron – Mount Warning is only a short distance away – to revel in the natural beauty. As such, Byron Bay restaurants and cafes have realised that healthy food is the flavour here. You’ll find the the restaurants and cafes in Byron Bay, focus on fresh, organic and locally sourced produce, arguably more so than anywhere else. You’ll find organic smoothies, wholesome salad bowls, more smashed avo than you can poke a stick at topped with homemade sauerkrauts, and of course tasty raw treats for those with a sweet tooth that want to keep it clean, fresh and healthy.

So with the healthy lifestyle boom only going from strength to strength in Byron Bay, restaurants here have taken this, run with it and gone about ten steps further. Take The Farm for example, run by two passionate chefs from one of the best restaurants in Sydney. Concept dining at its finest, this Byron Bay restaurant, farm and store serves the food they grow on the premises – talk about local, right – and are self-sufficient in all regards. You can literally see the vegetables being picked as you dine. And it’s not only this Byron Bay restaurant that’s going this way, you’ll also find the cafes here growing their own coffee beans, bars brewing their own spirits and beer, and the list continues. And besides, is there anything better than dining at a restaurant in Byron Bay that’s of Sydney or Melbourne standard, knowing precisely where your food comes from, all while taking in the beautiful ocean views that many Byron Bay restaurants are privy too? For us, there’s nothing quite as good.

While Byron Bay is about as far from the city in terms of culture as it could possibly be, when it comes to the variety of cuisine options available, it’s up there with the best of them. Byron Bay restaurants specialising in exotic cuisines from Indian, to South American, European, Southeast Asian, and everything in between have found their homes here. Take a wander down Johnson Street for some organic, fresh sashimi at Byron Bay restaurant institution, OSushi, where their organic soy and ginger tenderloin is out of this world. Or if a curry craving has hit you after a day at The Pass, Bombay to Byron is one of Byron Bay’s best Indian restaurants, catering for vegetarian, vegan and meat-loving spice fans from all over the rainbow region. We highly advise tucking into their Goan fish curry as soon as you possibly can.

It’s not only town that’s where the action is, and all throughout Byron Bay Shire, restaurants, cafes and bars are serving the lucky locals and visitors. No matter where you find yourself you’ll be able to swim in the ocean, treat yourself to a coffee and brunch, – try out Succulent Cafe on Byron Street – feast on yum cha, sushi or ramen, and take another dip in the sea, before paying a visit to The Balcony on Johnson Street for a post-swim cocktail. And for dinner, well no matter if you’re south in Ocean Shores, or as north as Sunrise, Ewingsdale or inland in Newrybar, there are a plethora of impeccable restaurants in Byron Bay Shire, no matter your time limits, location or budget.