The Byron Bay Farmers Market is open every Thursday from 8am to 11am. It is a favourite with the residents of Byron Bay and the surrounding areas.

If you are visiting Byron Bay, it’s just quick 5 minute walk from the centre town, so come on over.

Now that spring has well and truly arrived, the produce is plentiful, fresh and delicious.

While all of the stalls have something great to offer, I’ll show you a few of my favourites.

The Gourmet Salad Hut at Byron Bay Farmers Market

Let’s start with huge clumps of pungent fresh basil.

Currently only $2.00 for a massive bunch (you will never find it this fresh and generous in a supermarket).

The Gourmet Salad Hut has a huge variety of salad greens and herbs.

Get in early – they sell out fast!

I love to make a lasagne with the fresh basil, and the aroma from the kitchen is divine.

Next on my list is Hayters Hill Farm for meats and and fresh eggs.

They have a great choice of veal, steaks, mince and gourmet sausages, straight from the farm to their stall.

Hayters Hill Farm Fresh Meats at Byron Bay Farmers Market

This is where I get my mince to make the lasagne.

Try  the chorizo style sausages tossed through a salad or some pasta.

The scotch fillets are melt in your mouth tender, and no hacking away at your steak is required.

Also try the crumbed veal (with or without parmesan). And the good news…low on kilojoules – great for those that are health conscious!

The Hayters Hill Farm produce is so fresh it will last for days in the fridge, and also freezes well.

Just a little further down is the Bangalow Cheese Company.

Justin Telfer hand-makes a variety of cheeses from the local dairy populations of the Byron Bay area.

Bangalow Cheese Company at Byron Bay Farmers Market

My favourite is the Tintenbar Triple Cream…a subtle, soft, deliciously creamy delight. It goes so well with your choice of red wine.

Justin also makes Byron Bay Blue, Binna Burra Blue, Brooklet Brie, Wilson’s Creek White, Federal Fetta, Coorabell Fresh Curd, and Nashua Washed Rind.

The Bangalow Cheese Company is a very popular stall at the Byron Bay Famers Market. Get in early to avoid disappointment.

Justin will happily take your orders and bring them to the stall the next week.

Be careful with your fast ripening cheeses like Camembert – ask for a younger one, otherwise you may find it has matured too much and will be quite pungent – check for an odour of ammonia (some people do prefer this, however).

Next stop is Pinny’s Products.

Pinny has a beautiful selection home made chutneys, jams and pickles.

Pinny's Products at Byron Bay Farmers Market

I always seek out her chutneys…thick and chunky pieces of fruit or vegetable – they go fantastically on a steak or with some poppadoms.

She also has an ever changing variety of local produce at great prices.

I was lucky to find some farm fresh broccoli, still with a blue tinge to the florets.

From here it’s on to another cheese stall, Tweed Valley Whey.

Deb and Sue do a “Norm & Dee” Camembert cheese, creamy and delicious.

They have a variety of cheeses, but the are renowned for their Haloumi.

Tweed Valley Whey Farmhouse Cheeses at Byron Bay Farmers Market

If you haven’t heard of Haloumi, it is a rubbery, salty cheese. It is meant to be cooked.

Fry it in a pan, or on a barbeque until it is a light golden brown . It will soften slightly.

Serve hot with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and you are in heaven.

Like I mentioned before, be careful with more mature soft cheeses – ask for a younger one if you prefer a less developed taste and ammonia aroma.

Here’s some more stalls to check out:

• Byron Bay Pork
• Coopers Shoot Vine Ripened Tomatoes
• Nimbin Valley Pecans
• Rous Fresh (lots of gluten free items)
• Ewingsdale Organic
• Monty’s Strawberries
• Corndale Country Fresh Eggs

There are more stalls that I haven’t mentioned but are just as fantastic, each with something unique to offer.

Don’t confuse this farmers market with the Byron Bay Markets (crafts etc) which are held in the same location once a month, on Sunday.

The Byron Bay Farmers Market is located at the Butler St Reserve, and has plenty of parking. It can get very busy during holiday periods, so expect some traffic and a bit of a walk!

Parking is free but please, don’t forget a small donation to one of the local charities.

The Petit Snail in Byron Bay is an authentic French Restaurant with a fantastic seasonal menu.

We enjoyed a variety of delicious entrées, dinners and desserts, and were spoilt for choice.

You will find some favourites, like Escargots de Bourgogne (snails in garlic butter), and French Onion Soup. We also tried Foie Gras, French Country Style Paté and Duck a l’Orange.

Duck a l'Orange.

French Country Style Paté

French Onion Soup

Crepe Suzette

The menu changes on a regular basis, so always check to see what they have on the Petit Snail menu.

All of the staff are French citizens who are enjoying living in Byron Bay. They are charming, friendly and amazingly efficient. All our meals arrived at the same time, and they knew who had what – what an pleasant surprise.

The owners, Dominique & Igor, will do their best to make you feel very welcome – vivacious and warm, you feel like you’re amongst old friends.

Bookings are essential.

If you’re single, you can book for one on special nights, and enjoy a shared table with a set course. Who knows, love may be just around the corner.

Check the Petit Snail website for the latest information.

The Petit Snail, Byron Bay

Fully Licensed and BYO (corkage extra).

Open Wed to Sat from 6.30 pm until late.

The Petit Snail
5 Carlyle St
Byron Bay, NSW 2481
(02) 6685 8526

Fishheads seafood restaurant at Byron Bay is one of our favourites.

One thing is certain – there is a good selection of interesting seafood dishes, and it is always fresh.

Scallops, bugs, prawns, crabs, oysters…you name it, it’s there. And it’s not deep fried.

For those of you who don’t like seafood, try a steak, chicken or lamb shanks.

Meals are expensive ($20-$50), obviously due to the more exotic seafood and preparation. But it is worth it for a once in a while treat.

You may like to try a shared seafood platter for around $60.

Located at the top of Jonson St, the balcony overlooks the ocean at Main Beach, Byron Bay.

Also great place for breakfast and lunch, and you can watch the passing crowd.

Make sure you book – Fishheads seafood restaurant at Byron Bay is always busy – popular amongst visitors and locals.

BYO and licenced.

www.fishheadsbyron.com.au

1 Jonson St
Byron Bay

(02) 6680 7632

Paul and Monique sang a beautiful version of “Bizzare Love Triangle” at the Harvest Cafe in Newrybar, near Byron Bay.

Harvest Cafe has a variety of performers on various different days and evenings.

You can be guaranteed fine food, relaxing atmosphere and friendly service, along with some great low-key entertainment!

Just the thing for a lazy Sunday afternoon wind down.

For bookings, call:

(02) 6687 2644

It surprises a lot of people that Harvest Cafe is literally just off the Pacific Highway at Newrybar, 5 minutes south of Byron Bay. It is one of the most popular venues for many of the locals in the surrounding area, has won numerous awards and has great meals and a varied wine selection.

During the week, Harvest Cafe is a lunch time venue only, and is open for lunch and dinner on weekends.

For the geeks, they have wireless internet, and it is not unusual to find a few of the laptop and latte crowd hanging out there.

Dog lovers will be happy to know they can accommodate your friends out the front, but call to book ahead.

Also in the area are a couple of antique shops, so it is well worth the stop if you are driving through or visiting Byron Bay.

Our lunch was on the less adventurous end this time around, ordering the steak sandwich and the beer battered barramundi. I also enjoyed a fresh watermelon and grapefruit juice and my dining partner a Chai Tea.

Harvest Cafe Steak Sandwich.

Harvest Cafe Beer Battered Barramundi.

Harvest Cafe  Watermelon and Grapefruit Juice.

Harvest is licensed and has a great choice of wines, beers and aperitifs. Try the chilled Limoncillo for an after dinner refresher on a hot night.

Food: [rating:5/5]  Lunches and dinners are made from local fresh ingredients whenever possible.

Atmosphere: [rating:4/5]  Converted 1900s house with casual and informal dining. Fireplace and couches for a cosy winter night. Staff are outstanding – pleasant and attentive and always friendly.

Harvest Cafe is located directly off the Pacific highway at Newrybar.

(02) 6687 2644.

There’s no doubt that Pasquale Italian Restaurant in Byron Bay is popular, and for good reason – the food is fantastic.

On this night we enjoyed a Bruschetta for entree, and Prawn Risotto, Chicken Parmagiana and Crab with Angel Hair Pasta for dinner.

We topped the night off with a brilliant Tiramasu. Leandra thought the waitress must have been from Melbourne…she emphasised the "oooo", as in Tiramsuuuu!

I love Leandra’s confession…"I haven’t been to Italy, but for Australia, that’s the nicest bruschetta I’ve ever seen…" 

And you know what? She’s right!

If you’re in Byron Bay, make it a must do.

Food: [rating:5/5]

Atmosphere: [rating:4/5]   Lively during the holiday seasons.

Pasquale Italian Restaurant Byron Bay:
2/9 Bay Lane
Byron Bay NSW 2481
(02) 6685 8700

I have driven past The Balcony in Byron Bay so many times, and always assumed it was a fine dining restaurant.

After many years, I finally accepted an invitation, and to my amazement, I discovered The Balcony is a swinging hotspot with crowds of buzzing tables, a great rustic atmosphere and plenty of great food, wine and cocktails.

The menu is diverse with plenty of choices from fresh seafoods to tapas, pastas and more exotic and formal meals. Those who would like something a little lighter can enjoy a fantastic array of salads and fresh fruits.

The wine list is extensive, with plenty of choice for any appetite; you will find something perfect to accompany your meal. Try a variety of cocktails as well. There is something for everyone.

Desserts are generous and plentiful with some classics and some unique. No need to move on to another venue after your main meal.

The Balcony at Byron Bay is open for lunch and dinner until late.

The atmosphere is rustic (and very cosy in winter) with a mixed crowd of all ages having a great time. Check out some art while you’re there.

The menu is on the pricier side, but the flavours and the quality are fantastic.

[rating:5/5]

Yes, we know we are mentioning them again…

Avoid the Byron Orion Curry House in Byron Bay – it is overpriced and very lacklustre. If you are a visitor to Byron Bay (or a local), try a 10 minute drive to Bangalow and visit the Tandoor Mahal.

We have again enjoyed a delicious meal at this Indian restaurant in Bangalow.

Tonight we tried the Chicken Kashmiri, a creamy yoghurt and coconut dish with a generous serve of chicken. We also tried the Lamb Dahiwala another yoghurt based curry with a variety of spices.

We were lucky enough to talk to the busy owners, Andrew and Marion, tonight and we found out a little secret. One of their chefs is from the award winning Harvest Cafe in Newrybar…hence why the food here is so nice.

The setting is basic and allows for outdoor and indoor dining. The service is friendly and the meals quick.

The prices are very reasonable at under $20 (most under $16), unlike the ridiculous prices seen at the Orion.

The Tandoor Mahal Indian Restaurant in Bangalow is BYO.

Don’t forget to book!

(02) 6687 2536

Here are some directions from Byron to Bangalow…

The original Byron Beach Café was old Byron Bay – rustic, worn, and full of raw charm and warm service.

The new version is bigger, and brighter, completely rebuilt and “gone modern” – pretty much like the way Byron Bay is going now.

It still retains some of its charm,  and is now more open and airy, still with fantastic views of the ocean.

The menu is what you might consider typical café food, but it is good.

The staff are friendly and energetic, and the service quick.

Check out their new menu at Byron Beach Café.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (dinner during summer). Also takeaways.

(02) 6685 8400

Located at Clarke’s Beach, Lawson St (corner of Massinger St).

View  [rating:5/5]

Food  [rating:3/5]

The Buddha Bar at Byron Bay is located in the Arts and Industrial Estate.

The food at the Buddha Bar is curry based, cheap and generous in serving – 1 meal could be enough for 2 people.

Meals are aromatic and fresh (the spring rolls are hand made) and have a unique flavour – try the Jamaican curry for something a little different.

The Buddha Bar is popular with backpackers as well as locals and is a fun night out – not just dining, but also live music, cinema, drinks and cocktails, lounges, and an open fire.

Licensed.

[rating:3/5]

Located at the Arts and Industrial Estate
Gordon St
Byron Bay NSW 2481
(02) 6685 5833

www.buddhabarbyronbay.com