Farm-to-Table destination dining
Destination dining restaurants and distilleries are flourishing across our region and we love that they are supporting our local farmers and growers. From paddy-to-platter delights and paddock-to-bottle, below are our recommendations for experiencing the beset of local, sustainable and culinary celebration.
Frida’s Fields
Long languid lunches tailored to locavores is the ethos of Frida’s Field. It’s a family-run farm set on a 120-acre regenerative farm in the Byron Bay hinterland just a few minutes drive from Bangalow. The menu is seasonal, fresh and ever-changing. Journey through paddy-to-plate curations made from veggies and herbs from the on-site gardens complimented with produce fresh from the region. Head Chef, Alistair Waddell (three time winner of the Australian Good Food Guide’s one hat award) serves up dairy cultured butter, wood fired grass-fed meats and seasonal greens – some of it cooked on an open fire! Advanced bookings are required. P.S. They have a cute cottage for farm stays.
fridasfield.com
The Hut offers a distinctive dining experience, drawing inspiration from the simplicity of traditional Southern Italian and Greek cuisine, as well as the joy of communal meals. Housed in a charming, white-washed historic building in Possum Creek, the restaurant features a menu that highlights locally sourced ingredients designed for sharing. Owner/Chef Bruno Conti collaborates with local farmers and fishermen to create seasonal dishes full of flavor, making it a popular venue for weddings and gatherings. Open for lunch Thursday to Sunday.
http://thehutbyronbay.com.au
A long-standing favourite, Harvest Newrybar is an elegant restaurant set in a 100-year old converted farm house. Open for lunch and dinner on specific days, there’s a seasonal menu of creative cuisine made from the best of local and artisanal produce. Cozy up around the fire and enjoy sampling wines from smaller vineyards. We also love their rotating calendar of long brunches facilitated by experts in regenerative farming, honey farming and more. Harvest Newrybar also house an on-site bakery and deli where you can pick up fresh sourdough and local produce.
http://harvest.com.au
Set on an 80-acre working farm and macadamia orchard, The Farm Byron Bay features a sustainable café, bakery, florist, nursery, local produce store, and the acclaimed Three Blue Ducks restaurant. Emphasizing the philosophy of ‘grow, feed, educate, give back,’ it offers a family-friendly atmosphere with regular farm tours and workshops for children on native bees, as well as adult classes in fermenting and regenerative farming.
Husk Farm Distillers
set on a 60-hectare farm in Tumbulgum 45-minutes from Byron Bay, Husk Distillery is renowned as Australia’s first paddock-to-bottle sustainable distillery – producing an ink coloured gin infused with 12 botanicals, including Australian native lemon myrtle and Tasmanian pepper berry. Book a tour and enjoy a behind the scenes tour about the art of premium gin and rum distilling followed by a craft spirit tasting at the Cellar Door. After your tour, why not indulge in a long lunch at Planters Kitchen café (open Wednesday-Sunday) and graze on seasonal food, some of which is infused with Husk beverages.
huskdistillers.com
Cape Byron Distillery
Fancy seasonally crafted cocktails garnished with native finger lime and aniseed myrtle in a subtropical rainforest setting? Located in the Byron Bay hinterland, Cape Byron Distillery is set on a regenerative farm that has been in the Brook family for over 30 years. Experience the art of gin distilling and tasting plus enjoy strolling through the trees where you can see, touch and smell the native botanicals used in your gin. The signature tour is 1 hour and 45 minutes and is a must-do when you have visitors in town.
capebyrondistillery.com
While you can’t visit the Tintenbar Distillery, you can pick their certified organic liquors, gins and vodkas at local stores including The Federal General Store, Sunrise Cellars, and The Northern Hotel Bottle Shop. Tintenbar Distillery is a family-owned farm that specializes in certified organic and local ingredients. Their unique offerings include Umeshu Japanese plum liqueur, Flinders Island Gin infused with native botanicals, and potato vodka. Committed to sustainability, their products are seasonal, limited edition, and crafted in small batches.
http://www.tintenbardistillery.com
