The Best Cafés in Byron Bay for Brunch by the Beach

A dramatic coastline, crashing surf swells and lush hinterland, Byron Bay is a beachside town that thrives on the fringe. With its laid-back village vibe, this surfie town has an all-embracing zest for life. 

From sun up, Byron is pulsing with an eclectic mix of on-trend cafés and eateries championing the paddock-to-plate ethos. So, to help, we’ve created the ultimate guide to help you navigate this beachfront beauty's café scene like a pro.

Much like the area itself, menus here are all about clean living, so whether you’re looking to fuel up before catching some waves or for post-yoga nourishment, our roundup of the best cafés in Byron Bay has you more than covered.

Folk Byron Bay

If you’re looking for a cool yet casual place to eat, head to Folk, a charming café in a converted weatherboard cottage with an easy-breezy vibe.

The menu features a selection of fuss-free foods, including zesty avocado toast and freshly baked croissants that you can devour inside or out. Nab a spot outside on the gigantic cushions so you can sprawl out with your coffee (and cake) in hand. 

1/399 Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay

Harvest Newrybar

Located in the quaint town of Newrybar, about a 20-minute drive from Byron Bay’s CBD, dwells Harvest, a trendy and well-curated eatery offering an extensive, flavoursome menu.

Covering all bases, Harvest offers a relaxed deli and café in a lovingly restored vintage building and fine dining in its more upmarket restaurant — a contemporary Queenslander situated directly next door. Either way, a visit here promises fabulously fresh and delicious food.

22 Old Pacific Highway, Newrybar

Byron Bay General Store

Like a fine wine, the Byron Bay General Store seems to only get better with age. The cornerstone of the community’s burgeoning café and dining culture, this local treasure has been serving up some of the best brunches in town since 1947.

Steeped in history, the iconic building has retained much of its original charm, with contemporary finishes only adding to its dining appeal. Hearty brunch delicacies like truffled mushrooms with house-made cashew cheese and savoury granola breathe new life into popular plates. There are also plenty of other vegan options for all the plant-based babes looking for a decent breakfast.  

26 Bangalow Road, Byron Bay

WOODS

A little left of the action in the picturesque town of Bangalow, WOODS continues to win over foodies and coffee mavens with its regional charm and homely temperament. Take a seat on the sun-kissed patio and choose between a selection of fusion flavours – think Turkish eggs with chilli burnt butter and red harissa, super smoothies or an epic avo toast topped with pickles, macadamia chilli crisp and lemon. As much for the solo paper reader as it is for family catchups, they've got the rustic farmhouse style nailed, down to a tee.

10 Station Street, Bangalow

Moonshine Coffee

Moonshine Coffee is a family-run business that hand-roasts some of the best coffee in Byron. While they're known for its epic coffee, it also has a charming little cafe in the rolling hinterlands of Federal, where you can enjoy the in-house brew, bacon and egg rolls, fresh sangers, pastries, and other mouthwatering delights. Sure, it's a bit out of town, but you won't be disappointed. 

3 Albert Street, Federal

Vagabond

For the best vegan and raw treats in town, head straight to Vagabond, which is located in the industrial estate's hub, Habitat. While everything on the menu here is scrumptious, our top picks would be the layered carrot and walnut cake with creamy cashew frosting, the plant-based soft lemon cake with passionfruit curd icing and the iced-coconut matcha.

They also do a mean bullet-proof coffee and fresh smoothies. Get a spot in the sun-drenched courtyard, soak up the good vibes and equally delish offerings. 

 Habitat, 1 Porter Street, Byron Bay

Dip Café

A fabulously French-Australian bistro in the heart of Byron Bay, Dip Café is all about celebrating fresh, local produce while creating a Pasisian-inspired vibe. Think smooth music and art deco finishes that will transport you to a chic Parisian bistro in the 1930s. 

Adored for their all-day brunch menu, check out their hollandaise collection that whips up every kind of egg imaginable, all served with their in-house hollandaise sauce, made daily with love. They do all the café classics like buttermilk pancakes, bacon and egg rolls, plus French favourites like croque madams and monsieurs and French bruschetta. 

Shop 1, 21-25 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay

The Top Shop

There is so much to love about this charming corner milk bar. Packed with old-school character, a delicious menu and soul-warming coffee, The Top Shop is a 1950’s retro-styled cafe that perfectly balances cool and coastal.

The menu includes burgers, sandwiches, and gram-worthy smoothie bowls brimming with local, organic ingredients: think free-range meats and fresh loaves and pastries from Byron Bay’s own Bread Social. Start your day with coffee and an açaí bowl, then loop back for a burger or bagel for lunch. Best enjoyed sitting outside in the sunshine on their grassy hill.

65 Carlyle Street, Byron Bay

Sunday Sustainable Bakery

As far as the best cafés in Byron Bay go, Sunday Sustainable Bakery is right up there. The team here makes everything in-house, by hand, using locally sourced ingredients that are organic where possible. The results are mouthwatering with treats like spelt sourdough donuts with local house-made rhubarb raspberry jam, spelt gingerbread scones, vegetarian sourdough pizza and burnt brown sugar pistachio danishes all on offer. But the biggest attraction is their homemade sourdough, which sells out on the reg. 

20 Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay

101 Jonson Street, Byron bay

Combi

This Byron Bay beauty is the sibling of the Melbourne icon of the same name, and what they do best is raw, organic food. From an industrial-style yet fresh fit-out, Combi whips together a smorgasbord of wholesome delights, such as raw sweet treats and smoothies, house-made beetroot hummus, kombucha on tap, and fair-trade coffee. 

5b/21-25 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay

Sparrow Coffee

For those who favour a European breakfast, Sparrow keeps it simple, pumping out All Press coffees and limited-batch pasties to Byron Bay’s early risers. Nestled within the area’s prominent café precinct, it’s toted as serving some of the best brews in town.

Although Sparrow is more of a place to grab and go, its friendly staff and top-notch baristas will keep you coming back time and time again. It still oozes that coastal cool café vibe though, with wood-panelled exteriors and its signature turquoise coffee machine brightening up the compact space.

1/47 Jonson,  Byron Street, Byron Bay

1A/32-34 Byron Street, Bangalow

Bayleaf Café

A local favourite, Bayleaf Café perfectly captures the area’s easy-going, boho vibe. The space is airy and light-filled, brimming with hungry brunch-goers looking to start their day on high. It’s a great place to go if you’re feeling virtuous—the menu is mostly healthy, with a few well-chosen indulgences.

For a first-time visit, look to try the breakky greens or house-made paleo granola paired with a coconut cold brew or tangy Tropicana for the true coastal experience.

2A Marvell Street, Byron Bay

Espressohead Café

In a prime position just back from Main Beach, this cosy café is beloved by locals. Espressohead Café’s all-day menu champions fresh, locally sourced, organic produce catering to all dietary needs with vegan and gluten-free options in abundance.

Standout dishes include a Vietnamese crispy pancake with fried eggs and crunchy slaw topped with nuoc cham dressing and a banging halloumi burger loaded with olive paste, roasted tomato, and rocket. Taking out the title of best coffee shop in Byron Bay as rated by Trip Advisor, you can rest assured the coffee is equally on point as the food.

7/4 Middleton Street, Byron Bay

Loving our round-up of the best cafés in Byron Bay? To see more of the best cafés across New South Wales check out our favourite Central Coast eateries and the Blue Mountains restaurants we can’t wait to book a table at.