10 Best Restaurants in North Coast, New South Wales

In this century-old farmhouse with distant views of Byron Bay the draw is upmarket Mod Oz cuisine blending Asian and Mediterranean flavors. Produce fresh from the owners' farm is featured on the lunch platter menu. Each platter is themed like "From The Hills," with a whole free range chicken "spatchcock" cooked in lemon and thyme, with a side of roasted potatoes and cauliflower. As the name suggests, the restaurant also has accommodations: the Dairy and the Sunrise House, two cottages with wonderful views, can both sleep up to eight people; prices are from A$600 a night in the holiday season of Christmas, January and Easter with a minimum stay of three nights. The restaurant and rooms are 5 km (3 miles) inland from Byron Bay at Ewingsdale.

This is a fine place to socialize with the locals and tourists and enjoy some honest, unpretentious food. The on-site Sunset Bar & Grill is open for dinner on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, and the menu includes a variety of roasts (such as roast chicken or lamb), steak with garlic butter, schnitzel, fish, and salads, plus pizza on Sunday nights. Friday night is the "big night out" on the island, when almost everyone turns up for the sunset barbecue—try the barbecue kingfish and grab an ice-cold beer. Desserts include what appears to be the island staple—sticky-date pudding—and ice cream. It's best to come early to take in the view over the golf links and the lagoon beyond. 

The menu works around the restaurant's wood-fire oven and open-flame grill, with everything from hearty meats from local farms to seafood and smoked vegetables. The wine list is extensive, focusing on Australian wines from all corners of the country. 

Located at the Lord Howe Island Museum and Visitor’s Centre, this is a popular café with those exploring Lord Howe’s history. There's traditional bacon and eggs for breakfast and light salads for lunch. And it's licensed so you can enjoy a glass of wine at lunchtime. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. 

This friendly vibrant café is found just outside of Byron and is a firm favorite with locals. It's surrounded by a beautiful garden and native trees with plenty of birds. The focus here is on serving ethical coffee and only local produce. The menu is 100% vegetarian and vegan but even if you're a meat eater you won't feel like you're missing out. Each dish is created with care and packed with flavor. Open every day from 7:30 am.

Serving tourists and locals since the 1940s, this is an iconic store-turned-café. You'll find beachy interiors, a vegan-friendly menu, and fresh juices. The smoothie bowls are filled with acai, fresh berries, and nuts. The coffee is often said to be the best in Byron. 

This stylish, contemporary café packs in the crowds, thanks to its fabulously tasty meals, though you may need to exercise a little patience, as service can be a bit slow at times. Try the Corner Breakfast (A$24), which has everything from eggs the way you like them to ham hock--braised beans. Return for lunch or dinner and enjoy wagyu beef steak or ricotta gnocchi. As the name suggests, it sits on a corner and is part of the Macquarie Waters Hotel & Apartments complex.

Named by locals as the best brunch in Newcastle, this iconic café has been in action for over 20 years and is still as popular today. The menu is extensive, with everything from loaded cookies to savory beef mince on toast with poached eggs. Best known for its unique smoothies, with 20 different varieties. Open every day from 7:30 am.