Sefa Kitchen serves up Middle Eastern magic in Byron Bay.
Sefa Kitchen serves up Middle Eastern magic in Byron Bay.
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Are you ready to spice up your summer? Sefa Kitchen, Bondi’s beloved Middle Eastern hotspot, opened in Byron Bay recently and is making waves. This culinary gem is the latest project from restaurateurs Utku Ayhan and Nicolas Degryse, and it adds some serious “falafal-abulous” flair to the local food scene.
Utku Ayhan is no stranger to Byron Bay’s dining scene, having been part of the local food fabric since 2016 opening Asian street food venue Foxy Luu’s. Together with Degryse, whose social-enterprise roots in hospitality have transformed dining into a force for good, the pair bring a thoughtful, community-driven approach to the table.
Following the sizzling successes of Commune Canteen and Gitana Spanish Wine Bar earlier this year, Sefa Kitchen brings a feast of Levantine and North African delights. Known for its rustic yet refined dishes that are rooted in centuries-old traditions, It’s a journey to the Middle East in three stops – a casual canteen, a dining room and a bar for a Byron Bay boogie – serving up history, culture and a whole lot of flavour.
So, what’s cooking? At the heart of Sefa Kitchen is its wood-fire oven and open-flame grill, a setup that makes every bite a little smoky love letter to the ancient cooking methods of the Middle East. Istanbul in Turkey straddles East and West, and so does Sefa Kitchen, where by day, you’ll find canteen-style dishes served on neat trays, featuring a Mediterranean menu that’s always evolving, including a new summer breakfast menu. Filbir Turkish Frittata with burnt spicy butter, garlic yoghurt, dried mint and sumac as well as the Pide Flatbread with toppings like confit garlic, sulgani cheese, egg and dukkah are already local favourites.
When the sun goes down, the dining room takes centre stage with generous share platters, ideal for wrapping in warm Manaqueesh bread and diving in hands-first. (Yes, utensils are optional – but trust us, getting your hands messy is half the fun!)
The menu is a mezze medley of delights, from halloumi with local smoked bush honey, radicchio and pistachio to crispy brussel sprouts with almond tarator, sorghum dukkah and barberry salt. The star of the show? A slow-roasted baharat lamb shoulder, meltingly tender and paired with cauliflower purée, sumac onions and pomegranate. For the sweet tooth, there’s saffron panna cotta topped with date molasses and Persian floss – adding a wisp of royalty to Arabian nights.
Sefa’s philosophy of sharing shines in the Magic Carpet Ride – a crowd-favorite five-course set menu for just $55 per person.
Keeping the good vibes flowing long into the night, Sefa’s cocktail menu is as creative as its cuisine, featuring jewells like the Egyptian Hibiscus Spritz – a bright, floral concoction of hibiscus tea, vodka, ginger, and prosecco, and the Musky Istanbul, a mezcal twist on refreshing limonata.
Sefa Kitchen sits seamlessly in Habitat, Byron Bay’s village hub that blends community, creativity and sustainability with modern innovations like renewable energy, car-sharing and hybrid work and play spaces. Sefa hosts a range of events from the Habitat courtyard, including poetry nights, cabaret acts and salsa sessions. So don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes!
Where: Habitat, 1 Porter Street, Byron Bay
When: Canteen: Mon – Fri 7:30am–3pm
Kitchen and Bar: Wed – Sat 5:30pm to late
Gitana’s Spanish flavours take Byron Bay by storm.
Hola, amigos! If you’re looking for a new go-to spot in Byron Bay, let us introduce you to Gitana – the latest gem nestled within the lush embrace of Nourishing Habitat. It’s not on the Gold Coast, but we’re okay with claiming the Northern Rivers as our own since it’s just a stone’s throw away. And we’re always up for a foodie road trip!
With its perfect blend of Spanish charm and Byron Bay’s signature, relaxed coastal vibe, Gitana has all the ingredients to make it your new favourite hangout and did we mention it’s part of Nourishing Habitat – a collective of new by day, different by night foodie spits so you can change your meal with your feels.
We’re big fans of Spain, we’re big fans of Byron and we’re even bigger fans of wine bars so some might say we’ve found the holy trinity with this new gem so catch us rushing there faster than you can say ‘flamenco’.
Now let’s cut to it, we’re all here to know about the food – guilty? The menu is a thoughtful mix of Spain’s culinary treasures – of which we all know there are aplenty – like all the paella your tum could desire and those tasty little Ortiz sardine tins that are just as delish as they are ‘grammable.
The counter makes for a lush display of all the bite sized bits and bobs that round out the menu as it all forms part of the theatre and experience, if you’re anything like and you’re all about eating with your eyes then we’ve got you.
Don’t stress if you’ve come with an extra big hole in your tum because there’s goodies like rillette baguettes and grazing boards galore so no one’s leaving hungry – but maybe do leave some room for a little post-lunch siesta.
Wine lovers you’ll be happy to know that their collection rotates weekly so I guess you just have to keep coming back for more, and feature a curated selection of Mediterranean and local drops, along with Spanish inspired aperitifs and cocktails because it’d be criminal not to.
It’s got everything you expect from a classic Spanish wine bar and it proudly embodies that title, while also paying homage to Northern Rivers most boujee beachside burbs with a relaxed dining vibe that’ll make you feel like you’ve just popped into the locals best kept secret – even if you aren’t a local.
The epic outdoor courtyard brings those tapas cravings and creativity together, the ultimate spot for foodies and the community to get together and have a chin wag over a cheeky cocktail in the fresh Coastal air and under the Jacaranda that takes centre stage while you soak up sweet tunes and good vibes.
If you’re here for a good time AND a long time then you’ll be tickled pink to hear that special events are Gitana’s jam, think all day Happy Hour Thursday (hurry up and take our money) and pintxos for $2 on Saturdays – yep, you’re reading that right. And for some reason everything just tastes so much better when it’s a bargain, you know?
Salud! Here’s to many unforgettable nights at Gitana.
Where: Nourishing Habitat, 1 Porter Street, Byron Bay
When: Wednesday to Saturday, 3:30pm – late
Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski
Images by @jilliangiamchugh
Scenic drives, exceptional dishes.
Every January, the Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG) bestows its much-anticipated Chef Hat Awards, aka the foodie holy grail. For hardcore dining devotees, it’s a bit like Christmas morning, only with better smells and no awkward socks. Think of this as our cheat sheet for working your way, hungry-caterpillar style, around the most esteemed and decorated local destinations.
Our Northern Rivers neighbours are doing their thing, but this year we’re also adding South East QLD country into the mix – because why limit your appetite?
Whether it’s hinterland hideaways or mountain-top marvels, these spots all earned a Chef Hat score of 13 or above, making them prime candidates for your next road trip. Here are 16 of this year’s most road trip-worthy restaurants:
Founded by former Paper Daisy chef, Pipit owner Ben Devlin (alongside his wife Yen Trinh) is no stranger to the art of crafting exquisite eats – nor has he pulled any punches when it comes to his first solo venture. And AGFG clearly agrees, with Pottsville’s Coronation Avenue darling taking out the coveted top spot among this year’s most noteworthy Northern Rivers Hat recipients. They stand as the highest-ranked NSW regional restaurant outside of Sydney.
Pipit’s superb score of 16/20 propels them to pole position on our day trip priority list and also, according to the AGFG, ‘ worth a detour’ designation.
Set aside a few hours and treat yourself to the revelatory set menu dining experience, a curated sequence of flavours, textures and ideas spanning over several hours, one which Ben likens to ‘a day trip around the Northern Rivers’ in and of itself.
Where: 8 Coronation Avenue, Pottsville
Byron Bay institution, Raes on Wategos scored an impressive 15/20. Headed by Executive Chef Jason Saxby, the restaurant serves modern Australian cuisine with a Mediterranean influence deemed ‘Quite Out of the Ordinary’ by AGFG – we wholeheartedly agree.
The chic boutique retreat, an icon set amongst Byron’s idyllic beaches, delivers a fine-dining experience in its Dining Room, headed by Executive Chef Jason Saxby. A culinary showcase of the region, curated with Mediterranean influences, the menu offers Caviar service, 3-course à la carte and Tasting Menu options.
A word of warning, though – after tasting dishes like Lamb Blackstrap in black garlic, lamb fat & anchovy salsa, Glazed Northern Rivers Duck, and the MacAffogato dessert, a coconut and roast macadamia sorbet topped with macadamia crumb, Brookie’s Mac liqueur and espresso, you might want to move in.
Where: 6 – 8 Marine Parade, Byron Bay
Murwillumbah’s aptly named Tweed River House, perched just a stone’s throw from its banks, also scored a hat – earning a rating of 14 for its gastronomic bistro and bar experience. Shout out to master chef Dayron Perugorria.
The venue, housed in a spruced-up, century-old colonial-style mansion, offers a panoramic river view, wraparound verandas, and elevated eats to match.
The luxurious and immaculately appointed interiors alone make it worth filling your tank. Still, decadent dishes like Lobster agnolotti with vin jaune and wild vanilla sauce, Beef tartare with brioche and crème fraîche and the Peach dessert made with poached peach, almond dacquoise, peach mousse and almond praline certainly sweeten the deal.
Where: 131 River St, South Murwillumbah
Another noshery deemed one of the best in the Northern Rivers Restaurant category is Murwillumbah’s Bistro Livi, scoring the prestigious hat with a total of 14.
A short 30km trek from Cooly and one of the fresher faces among its culinary cohort – if you’re yet to be acquainted with Livi, it’s an easy one to tick off the list when you’re looking for a low effort adventure snap you out of the Sunday lazies (or scaries).
Tucked within the arts precinct of the tight-knit Murbah community, the European-inspired venue radiates romance with rustic textures and an inviting, intimate ambience, while Spanish influences inform the menu. It’s certainly not just the AGFG critics that this regional gem has succeeded in winning over… #swoon.
Where: 1A 1-3 Brisbane St, Murwillumbah
This Possum Creek gem scored 13, shocking absolutely no one who’s ever eaten there. Set in a literal old-school setting (the former O’Possum Creek Public School), it pairs Southern European flavours with Byron hinterland charm.
Soak up garden views through airy white windows as you dive into fresh oysters or Burrata with Tuscan tomato salsa, breadcrumbs and basil oil. For mains, expect delights such as Black Angus brisket ragú with horseradish gremolata and Parmigiano Reggiano, and Australian bay lobster with chilli, garlic, confit cherry tomatoes, zucchini and crustacean bisque.
Rustic, refined, and ridiculously good, this is one lesson in good taste you won’t want to skip.
Where: 471 Friday Hut Road, Possum Creek
If long, lazy farm lunches are your vibe, Frida’s Field is a must. Set on 120 dreamy acres just outside Bangalow, this paddock-to-plate gem dishes up a seasonal feast that scored 13/20. Award-winning chef Alastair Waddell lets Northern Rivers produce shine with a modern Australian menu that changes every six weeks – think wood-fired meats, farm-fresh veggies and big, bold flavours.
With only three long lunches a week (Friday to Sunday), this is a slow-food experience in every sense – one sitting per service, plenty of time to sip, savour, and soak up the Byron hinterland views. Whether you go omnivore or veg, you’re in for a next-level spread that might just ruin you for regular dining forever.
Where: 76 Booyong Road, Nashua
Capitalizing on Carool’s sweeping valley views, Potager – A Kitchen Garden has long been a favourite destination among locals and discerning visitors. The charming nosher is also somewhat of a teacher’s pet, earning a score of 13 for its Modern Australian style eats in this year’s Chef Hat Awards – along with a near-perfect 4.8 score on Google, might we add… and honestly, we’re not sure which is harder to pull off.
Set on a small 10-acre farm, the seasonal menu is informed by locally sourced produce, much of which is grown on the property. Dishes like the heirloom tomato with Byron Bay mozzarella are a testament to the community-minded culinary experience, while the fish stew with focaccia and zeta’s coffee and dark chocolate mousse gets a mention, because #yum
Where: 502 Carool Rd, Carool
Byron Bay’s Dorsia has quietly earned itself a well-deserved nod with a solid 13, cementing its place as one of the region’s most exciting dining destinations. Sitting along Jonson Street, this intimate, mood-driven restaurant delivers a polished yet approachable take on modern fine dining – the kind that feels special, but never stuffy.
Guests can choose between a thoughtfully curated two-course or three-course menu, dive all in with the chef’s tasting menu, or kick things off with elegant snacks and a luxe caviar experience. Early standouts include the pillowy Parker roll with Noosa black garlic and the indulgent dry-aged duck cigar. Mains deliver more exquisite dishes like Murray cod paired with pickled green mango and coconut, or the show-stopping Cape Grim sirloin with burnt carrot and puffed grains. Dessert is a must, with Valrhona dark chocolate and malted milk that leaves you wanting to order round two.
Where: 109 Jonson Street, Byron Bay
Halcyon House’s beloved Paper Daisy, of course, also earned itself a nod, with an honourable 13. The esteemed and elegant eatery, sitting pretty against Cabarita Beach’s stunning shores, is not just reserved for sandy-footed in-house guests.
We’re all invited to see what the fuss is about, courtesy of the bar, open from 3pm, or for dinner. Led by Andrew Milford, the kitchen shoots for ‘sophisticated simplicity’, where you can expect to delight in inventive and delectable dishes like Spanish anchovies and gremolata on toast with guindillas and coconut-crumbed king prawns, green mango and herb salad alongside an award-winning wine menu.
We’d recommend packing your appetite (and your towel, because, y’know, Caba #phwoar).
Where: 21 Cypress Cres, Cabarita Beach
Brunswick Heads’ River – Wild at Heart has quickly carved out a name for itself after opening less than a year ago. Sitting pretty on Mullumbimby Street, this intimate dining destination is a creation by Scottish-born chef and former welder (yes, really) Michael Lee, serving small plates that change and adapt to what’s growing and what’s caught.
Standout starters include the Lismore wild shot venison tataki made with Blueberry Fields ponzu, radish, charred and crispy shallots and the bay lobster with smoked garlic, lobster coral butter and lemon. For the main, the soltera rum-glazed smoked corn short rib and the local line-caught market fish. Finish with Piña colada made with soltera rum, sumac caramel and coconut aquafaba and you may call it the best meal of your life.
Where: 2/26 Mullumbimbi Street, Brunswick Heads
For a long, leisurely meal in a ridiculously scenic spot, Shelter is the move. With a score of 13, an award-winning wine list, and bi-fold windows framing 7 Mile Beach, it’s got everything going for it – top-tier food, service, and views.
From sunrise to sunset, they’re serving up seasonal, sustainable, and ethically sourced goodness. Kick off your morning with green chilli scrambled eggs with avocado and roti, or swing by later for gems like local sashimi with watermelon verjus, gochugaru salt, grapes and finger lime, followed by their daily beef cut with chilli crunch, katsuobushi cream, black sesame. Don’t leave without trying the beetroot mousse with lavender, pine nuts and almond panna cotta rhubarb consommé. Trust us.
Where: 41 Pacific Parade, Lennox Head
Perched on Byron Bay’s Jonson Lane, Bar Heather transports its diners to the charm of Paris or New York – at least that’s what it feels like. They lead with an exquisite selection of natural wine, followed by an equally impressive menu, so clearly designed to torture and tantalize you into returning time and time again. It’s no surprise that they, too, were awarded a 13/20.
You must try their snapper with tomato cream and cucumber and the lamb skewer with roasted chilli and roti. And, of course, no trip to Bar Heather is complete without sampling a selection from their wine list. Don’t mind if we do.
Where: 139 Jonson Lane, Byron Bay
High on a mountain, with clouds drifting past your table and the Great Dividing Range as your backdrop, The Peak is where Modern Australian cuisine meets luxury without fuss. AGFG scored it 15/20, enough to make this Scenic Rim gem a must-visit.
The tasting menu is a culinary journey across Australia: cured kangaroo, dry-aged duck, Kangaroo Island marron and more, all paired with wines that could start their own conversation. With comfy furnishings, an open stone fireplace and an outdoor terrace that’s practically begging for a lingering lunch, The Peak turns a meal into a full-on experience.
Road trips are better with views like this, and food this ambitious.
Where: 1 Wilkinson Road, Maryvale
At Homage, the clue really is in the name. This refined paddock-to-plate powerhouse at Spicers Hidden Vale celebrates the farmers, producers and fertile lands of the Darling Downs and Lockyer Valley with flair.
Scoring a solid 14/20 from AGFG, Homage is officially ‘worth a detour’ and then some. The menu champions local ingredients with dishes that feel both elegant and deeply connected to place, whether that’s Murray cod with finger lime and macadamia cream, pork belly with Kalbar carrot and nduja or heritage rooster elevated into something truly special.
It’s fine dining with heart, where every plate tells a story and every ingredient earns its spot.
Where: Spicers Hidden Vale, 617 Grandchester–Mt Mort Road, Grandchester
Boonah’s Blume is a restaurant that feels like it’s been quietly waiting for you. Inspired by the town’s original name, Blumbergville, this 14/20 AGFG-hatted spot focuses on the principle of ‘time and place’. Only the freshest local ingredients make it to the table.
The ever-evolving set menu is packed with clever touches: rainbow trout with finger lime, Brisbane Valley quail with fig leaf and exotic pepper, or sweet cheese ice cream with apricot and almond praline. Every course reflects the region, the season, and the care of the people behind it.
Where: 5 Church Street, Boonah
In the heart of the Gold Coast Hinterland, The Paddock is a spacious, sunlit spot celebrating simple, honest food. AGFG awarded it 13/20 for its unpretentious approach to paddock-to-plate dining.
Floor-to-ceiling glass doors frame sweeping Hinterland views while the menu champions local produce, from roast duck with spiced carrot purée to fire-grilled vegetables and Wagyu rump cap. Cooking over an open flame, the dishes are rustic yet refined, the kind that make a long drive feel completely worth it.
If you’re chasing fresh air, great food and a true Hinterland vibe, The Paddock delivers in spades.
Where: 422 Binna Burra Road, Beechmont
Words by Chelsea Ipsen and Belinda Symons
