Euro-style wine bar Bar Bruto lands in Casuarina.
Euro-style wine bar Bar Bruto lands in Casuarina.
Can you hear the glasses clinking across the border? Bar Bruto, a new Euro-inspired wine bar is bringing tapas and a touch of late-night Barcelona vibes to Casuarina.
Owners Mark Wilson and Lee Middendorf know a thing or two about shaping the Tweed Coast dining scene. The duo behind Spice Den, Taverna, Farm & Co Dining Room, Bombay Cricketers’ Club, Osteria and Baked at Ancora have long been pouring flavour into the region and now they’re popping open something new.
Between them, Mark and Lee boast a hospitality CV longer than a Euro wine list. Mark has worked at Raes on Wategos, Hayman Island Resort and Sydney’s iconic Icebergs, while Lee honed his wine expertise across the Barossa Valley and Adelaide before helping launch Roughies at Peppers and the two-hatted Bamboo at Santai Resort.
“Innovation has been extraordinary over the past decade,” says Mark. “But somewhere along the way, the fundamentals – genuine hospitality, detail and the feeling of belonging – have slipped. Bruto is about bringing that back.”
Joining the team behind the bar is Emily Wilson, who helms the cocktail program. Raised around pubs in England, she later made the move to Australia where she worked at Balboa Italian before joining Farm & Co and now Bar Bruto.
The venue itself leans into the grown-up side of casual dining (hello date nights!). Bar Bruto seats around 70 guests across an outdoor courtyard, indoor tables and bar seating, with cosy corners designed for intimate convos. Deep green walls, exposed brick, leather booths and wooden furnishings set the scene, while spirits and wine bottles line the walls like works of art. Add DJ-curated playlists and studio-quality sound and you’ve got something that feels closer to a secret Barcelona bar than a suburban wine spot.
In the kitchen, head chef Juan Branto brings Spanish flair with his Argentinian roots. Classically trained across multiple cuisines, Juan most recently spent two years at Labart in Burleigh, hosting pop-ups across the southern Gold Coast and Northern NSW before joining the Bar Bruto crew.
The menu celebrates Spanish tapas and European-inspired small plates designed for sharing.
One unexpected standout is the Ajo Blanco, layered with almond, confit leeks and sour grapes. The Octopus with chimichurri and potato foam is already a house favourite, while Croquettes, Fried Squid and Braised Beef round out the heartier offerings.
At the bar, cocktails are at play. The Navarrico – Bruto’s take on the Garibaldi – swaps Campari for Spanish vermouth, blends fresh orange and a secret flourish into a fluffy, creamy cocktail that’s hard to stop at one.
Meanwhile, Lee’s wine list is small but mighty, always evolving and leaning into by-the-glass options. Expect natural and low-intervention producers, chosen for drinkability rather than for show.
At its heart, Bar Bruto simply brings good food, good wine and good hospitality together, and honestly, that’s something we’ll raise a glass to.
Where: Shop 3/480 Casuarina Way, Casuarina
When: Thursday – Saturday 4pm – 10pm, Sunday 3pm – 9pm
Words by Lisette Drew
Sticky scrolls, creamy coffees, crunchy cereal, it’s all happening at Public Supply.
Picture this: it’s a crisp Tweed morning, the surf’s rolling in at Snapper, and the scent of fresh cinnamon is wafting down a hidden laneway. No, you haven’t stumbled into a Parisian back alley or a Bondi TikTok, this is Public Supply, Tweed Heads’ brand-new hole-in-the-wall coffee spot that’s about to ruin all other cinnamon scrolls for you.
Bondi might have its viral Sundays Bondi scrolls that people queue hours for, but guess what? The Tweed has officially entered the chat. Public Supply has come out swinging with scrolls so good they deserve their own fan club. We’re talking The OG Original Glaze (a sticky, shiny, buttery dream), Pistachio (fancy but make it gooey), Choccy Bueno (like the choc bar, but better), and the Biscoff Crumble (yes, the one you’ll be thinking about at 2am). There’s even a Naked Scroll you can pair with dipping sauces for a little DIY action.
Basically, Tweed just got its own scroll supremacy, and if you’re not here lining up, are you even living?
But Public Supply isn’t just about scroll worship. These legends have added a cheeky twist to your caffeine fix with Cereal Coffees, yes, you read that right. Imagine a silky latte crowned with a crunchy pile of Coco Pops or Cornflakes. It’s nostalgic, it’s fun, and it’s basically breakfast in a cup. Coffee in one hand, scroll in the other, and a spoonful of cereal to seal the deal.
Your inner kid is squealing, and your adult self is wide awake. Win-win.
Behind the scenes are four locals with some serious street cred. Ross Whitlock (a coffee gun with over a decade’s hospo experience across NZ and Aus) and his partner Alysha Buckingham (café all-rounder turned digital whiz with her own consultancy, Call Her Jean), joined forces with Tweed-born duo Kallie Hunter and Kurt Foggo (the brains behind NBHD studios and the high-electrolyte drink sur).
Together, they’ve brewed up something seriously special: a café that merges good coffee, killer food, and design-led vibes, all tucked into a laneway.
The space itself? Minimalist, modern, and cooler than your mate’s curated Pinterest board. Think deep red tiles, stainless steel touches, an open-air laneway feel, and a shiny La Marzocco machine gleaming like a piece of art. It’s urban but coastal, polished but relaxed, the perfect backdrop for coffee, conversation, and a scroll (or three).
And while the scrolls might be the star, the coffee deserves its own standing ovation. Ross has been low-key perfecting his craft at home for years, testing signature drinks like the Mont Blanc and Matcha Clouds, espresso or matcha topped with dreamy cream cold foam that makes your morning feel like a treat-yourself moment.
Their beans, roasted in collaboration with local suppliers, strike the ultimate balance: full-bodied flavour with a smooth finish that keeps you coming back for more.
Public Supply officially opened at the end of August and Tweed locals have wasted no time finding their new obsession. Whether you’re grabbing a takeaway for your whale-watching stroll, parking yourself in the alleyway for a chat in the sun, or just here for the scroll crumbs on your shirt, this place has ritual written all over it.
Public Supply isn’t just serving coffee and scrolls. It’s serving a whole new daily vibe, sticky, crunchy, creamy, and completely unmissable.
Where: 1/21 Stuart Street, Tweed Heads (laneway behind Ivory Tavern)
When: Daily, 6am–12pm
Words by Belinda Symons
Images by Kirra Smith
Dayo is the brunch spot of your dreams.
From the legends behind George’s Deli in Kingscliff comes a bold new brunch spot that’s already turning heads on the Tweed. Say hello to Dayo, a waterside wonderland serving up flavour-packed plates and good vibes all day long.
Taking over the light-filled café side of the Ancora building on Wharf Street are double-threat chef power couple Johnny Ang and Jerrika Guiang, and Johnny’s sister Kristyn Ang, a chef with kitchen chops of her own. Together, they’re making big power moves with the launch of their second foodie venture.
Dayo, which means “visitor” in Filipino, is a word that hits close to home for the trio. They are all immigrants from the Philippines who’ve brought with them the rich tradition of starting the day together, gathered around the breakfast table. Now that they all call Australia home, they’re inviting us into their home rituals, with a stacked menu and river views too.
And what a home they have created. Wander into the white-washed building and be swept away to a mini paradise.
They’ve pulled out all the stops, bringing in Kobi Concepts (the interior designer for George’s) to work their magic on this space too. The team haven’t just embraced the location, but celebrated it, with picnic tables out under the jacaranda tree and sun-kissed balcony seating that overlooks the river and island across.
Retro fittings and pops of colour like a pink ceiling, green chairs and blue-and-white-striped upholstery all create a welcoming space that complements the very modern menu.
Now let’s dive into that menu!
The trio have taken the flavours we know and love from George’s Deli, but levelled it up into a gourmet brunch offering. Think Filipino roots, Southeast Asian spice with a Mediterranean twist. Chef’s kiss!
Benny-San is calling your name (and ours), featuring your choice of pork chasu or teriyaki mushrooms, served with two poached eggs milk loaf, hollandaise spicy sesame seeds and herbs.
Wrap your lips around finger-lickin chicken with the K-POP Chicken Waffle – snowy cheese fried chicken, waffle pickled radish, spicy maple, roast pepper and tomato mascarpone.
Like to start the day on a sweet note? The Strawberry Matcha French Toast is already a fan fave, with white chocolate matcha sauce, matcha ice cream, fresh strawberries and milk crumbs.
There’s a dedicated menu for the kiddies to keep them happy, and Ground Control coffee to keep you smiling too.
If you’re looking for the most instagrammable drink in town, you need to order the Ube – a vibrant purple number made with ube, a yam native to the Philippines.
Too much matcha? Never! Other speciality drinks include iced matcha your way – with your choice of strawberry, blueberry or peach mango.
And because you’re definitely going to want a little something to take home (or eat on the riverbank), don’t skip the cabinet full of the famous George’s Deli donuts on your way out.
Where: 118 Wharf St, Tweed Heads
When: Daily from 7am until 2pm
Instagram:@dayo.tweed
Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Kirra Smith
nice nice is so good they named it twice.
Tweed’s Bay Street has been buzzing for a while now, ever since The Bread Social landed in 2016 with its carb-loaded treats. This year, Sun Devil fired up the coffee game, and now the latest cafe angel has arrived. It’s called nice nice, and it’s here to bless your brunch.
A love letter to laid-back Aussie cafe culture, nice nice is owned by hospitality dream team Jemima Stanwix and Mitchell Evans who met when they were slinging pizzas at the famous Francie’s (now Franc Jrs.) in Coolangatta. With over 30 years of experience between them, Jemina and Mitch know exactly what you want in a cafe… before you even do.
Jemina said, “We wanted to create the cafe that we wished we could go to on a Sunday morning to catch up with friends and watch the world go by.”
With interiors styled by Glenn Smith, the space is all peachy tones and soft curves like being hugged by a breakfast nook. It’s light and airy, with a shelf of cookbooks lining the wall to read while you eat, and artisan treats like Miele Doro honey, Tippity Teas and Herbie’s spices available to take home.
Serving up a classic Aussie brunch menu with a subtle Asian twist, it’s more than likely you’ll want to stay a while. And with a large share table inside and covered outdoor seating, the community vibes encourage you to stay.
Kick start the morning with Chilli Scrambled Eggs topped with house chilli crisp, dressed leaves on sourdough, or get grounded with Miso Mushrooms, a medley of mushrooms bathed in a miso garlic butter and soft herbs.
On the run? The B&E Roll with crispy bacon, fried egg, fresh milk bun, and the Kimchi Cheese & Egg Roll with vegan kimchi, melted cheese, folded egg, fresh milk bun are both tasty grab-and-go options that won’t slow you down.
When lunch rolls around, a Toasted Chicken Sandwich with Gochujang and maple glazed chicken, kimchi slaw, on sourdough will hit the spot, while a Soba Noodle Salad of cabbage, carrot, red onion, coriander, ginger and miso dressing will leave you feeling as fresh as the salad itself.
Marvell Street beans keep the caffeine fiends happy, with a cheeky orange espresso tonic on ice for those who like a zing with their zing. Matcha, Sticky Chai, Adaptogenic Hot Chocolate, alt-milks – it’s a full beverage ballet, plus smoothies to satisfy anyone on the go. We recommend the Big Lebrewski, a delicious combo of malt, bananas, espresso, chocolate and ice cream.
And while it’s currently a morning through lunch situation, there’s a liquor license on the horizon and whispers of dinner services and pop-up chef nights. Sunset sips, small plates and big flavours, Bay street is the place to be. Very nice indeed.
Where: Shop 1/14 Bay St, Tweed Heads
When: Tuesday – Sunday 7am – 2pm
Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Mathilde Bouby
