Luxury and boutique hotel destinations

Why book with Smith?

  • Best rates guaranteed, member or not.
  • No booking fees
  • All hotels reviewed anonymously
  • Members get more
Become a member

Boutique hotels in Byron Bay

Byron Bay, Australia

Byron Bay
Eating, drinking and dancing

We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Byron Bay.

Restaurants

(+61 (0)2 6680 7055)

Pacific Dining Room

Restaurateurs John and Lisa van Haandel have brought a touch of Melbourne magic to the beach. It’s a compact menu with Mediterranean influences – grilled local prawns served with aioli, pimientos de Padrón and Ortiz anchovies are all offered as small plates – served in a sophisticated, laidback venue.

Beach Hotel, cnr Jonson and Bay Streets, Byron Bay

(+61 (0)2 6685 7320)

Dish

There’s a modern, relaxed Balinese vibe here, with ivy clinging to the walls and warmth added by the exposed timber ceilings. Bret Cameron’s seasonal menu – European but with a touch of Asian –reaches just the right level of creativity, too.

Cnr Jonson and Marvell Streets, Byron Bay

(+61 (0)2 6687 1010)

Satiate

Upstairs from the popular deli Ate is this gem. Tetsuya’s-trained chef Shannon Debreceny offers a five-course degustation menu with a Spanish overtones for just NZ$55 per person. Worth the drive.

33 Byron Street, Bangalow

Cafés

(+61 (0)2 6685 8400)

Byron Beach Café

Just a little bit posher than your average caff, and the views are amazing from both the deck and the dining room. Chef Matthew Gillespie, who has a rep in these parts, prepares a range of enticements, including a great wagyu burger at lunch.

Lawson Street, Clarkes Beach

(+61 (0)2 6685 6810)

Twisted Sista

There’s plenty of atmosphere in this cute café. The homemade cakes, including a wicked macadamia baked cheesecake, are served in slices big enough for two.

4 Lawson Street, Byron Bay

(+61 (0)2 6685 8900)

Bayleaf Café

Prop yourself at the high seats in the window for one of the best brekkies in town, especially if you’re a coffee tragic. This is, according to locals, the place to sip.

8/87 Jonson Street, Byron Bay

Bars and clubs

(+61 (0)2 6680 7070

La La Land

Find a spot on one of the couches and settle in for a cocktail and a chat early on, but realisee that it won’t last. As the night wears on, the music goes up and the room goes off. Not quite so full-on during the week.

6 Lawson Street, Byron Bay

(+61 (0)2 6685 5833

Buddha Bar

It’s all a little bit sultry – could be the red-tinged, low lighting – and definitely the place to be for Byron’s young lovelies. There are DJs, live music and even fire shows on occasion.

1 Skinners Shoot Road, Byron Bay

Pubs

(+61 (0)2 6685 6402

Beach Hotel

Does it get any better than this? A cold ale and a seat in the beer garden with the greatest view in the world, watching the world go by. Just you and pretty much everyone else chilling in Byron.

Bay Street, Byron Bay

(+61 (0)2 6685 6454)

Great Northern

A bit of a behemoth and always packed, the Northern is renowned for its band room out the back where top Aussie acts play when they’re touring the country.

35–43 Jonson Street, Byron Bay

(+61 (0)2 6685 7662)

The Rails

Want to meet some colourful locals? This is the place. A largely open-air, very casual pub with live music every night.

80 Jonson Street, Byron Bay