When I first stepped into Byron I instantly felt like I needed to grow a pony tail.
The land of the tanned and beautiful
If you have never been to Byron – just close your eyes and imagine that everyone you meet looks like they are either related to a Hemsworth, are a Hemsworth or are a Hemsworth’s distant cousin – excluded from the family, coated in tie-dye, high, talking about the meaning of life…
1 week in this beautiful place and the next thing you know – you have a guitar in your hand, unintentional dreadlocks in your hair (due to a lack of washing or brushing). Dancing in a drumming circle 7 nights a week, casually walking around Woolies with no shoes on and blaming all of your problems on the current location of the moon.
Buskers on each corner
Hemp seeds in your wallet
Crystal round your neck
Vegan food wise, you really don’t have to look very hard.
But the benefits of being physically unfit with a serious sugar addiction, is that you get to really know your way around a place. Surfing may be your cup of tea, but surfing into a cookie coma is definitely a tea I am much more used to drinking.
So here it is. I’ve done it. I’ve officially eaten Byron.
From head to toe – here are some of the yummiest places to go…
To kick off…
– The one and only –
ELIXIBA
Where to begin…
This place is a MUST go-to in Byron!
Whether you’re vegan or not this restaurant hits the spot!
Alcoholic and non alcoholic fun cocktails, house infused vodkas, hot drinks, elixirs, botanical beers + amazing food. We once lost Bob swimming in the aioli sauce for a good 2 hours.
All the food is vegan and GF and made in house!
My top fave dishes were the dreamy nachos, the coco-mari (coconut style calamari with aioli dip), the humble burger and the jackfruit macro bowl with the cheesy turmeric sauce.
My favourite cocktail: The Pink Flamingo (tequila/cranberry – swimming pool of dreams).
Favourite hot drink: Gingerbread latte on house made almond mylk.
Favourite beer: Aphrodite’s ale.
Favourite non alcoholic Elixir: The blue lagoon (hello lychees).
Fab food and fab people!
(Also based on the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast)
BYRON FRESH
I don’t know whether I should be proud or ashamed to admit that the waitress here knows my muffin order – but to be honest, it makes service a lot quicker.
Byron Fresh have freshly baked cakes everyday with loads of vegan options. Including the famous muffin that has kept my love handles on top form. All of the cakes are reduced at the end of the day to $3 (and they are all delicious).
They also have lots of vegan options on the menu that are labelled with a VE. Such as their delicious Balinese vegan curry. There is always a lovely atmosphere and often someone playing live music out of the front too.
WARUNG BAGUS
This cute little cafe is based right across from Main beach.
There are lots of vegan options at the ready. From the big vegan brekky, vanilla and peanut butter pancakes, mushroom lattes, pumpkin and macadamia feta paninis.
ORGASMIC FOOD BYRON BAY
Hands down – the best falafel I have ever eaten. Get yourself a vegan falafel pita pocket with tahini sauce.
*Top tip * If you’re low in cash and starving – around every 15 minutes you’ll find someone standing on the corner by Byron Fresh with free falafel to try.
THAI LUCY’S
YUM YUM YUM
Just ask the staff for the vegan menu and go to town… Personal favourite – Veggie and tofu Penang curry with coconut rice and veggie spring rolls. BOMB DIGGITY.
THE BYRON BAY GENERAL STORE
Ignore the food. This place has a flipping swing. All of the vegan options are written on the menu – they have coffee, burgers, rolls, waffles, smoothies (smoothie bowls), juices…
Lovely atmosphere and a wee bit away from town. Delightful indeed!
THE CARDAMOM POD
This place is completely vegetarian and has vegan options. The dhal is my favourite with a vegetable pakora. You can also get some yummy vegan cakes. At the end of the night, any food not sold is discounted and boxed up at a cheaper price incase you’re on a budget.
NO BONES
New to Byron – this spot has vegan options and cocktails! WOO.
MISS MARGARITA
If you fancy Mexican – then here is the spot for you. All of the vegan options are labelled on the menu with a ‘V’ or ‘VO’ for the dishes that have a vegan option available (just ask the staff).
THE SOURCE BULK FOODS
This place is the plastic-free dream. Bring your re-usable jars/bags, buy them there or use one of their paper bags – stock up on anything and everything – from chocolate covered strawberries, hemp seeds, protein powders, tea, rice, lentils, oats, shampoo, coconut oil, tahini… the whole shabang. You can even grind your own nut butters there and then.
SANTOS
(Based in two locations: one in the town centre across from Woolworths and one on the industrial estate across from the IGA)
Even though every time I step into this place my wallet seems to instantly get lighter – Santos does have lots of vegan / healthy / organic options. You can pick up a drink, cake, sushi, pie, fresh veggies, toiletries, vegan cheese, hummus, cereal etc…
FUNDIES
Ah Fundies. Home to (hands down) THE best brownie I have ever had the pleasure to stroll across. Fundies has a small cafe on one side and a store attached to the other full of lots of vegan delights! There are smoothies, lasagne, pies, cakes, chocolates, brownies and more…
BARE BLENDS
Tucked away in the industrial estate – Bare blends has some serious delicious smoothies/smoothie bowls + some chocolate treats. If you take your own bottle or bowl you get a discount too!
COMBI
Smoothies, smoothie bowls, juice, raw treats, doughnuts, cakes, brownies, vegan cheese toasty and more… Pretty darn good!
FOLK
This place is just as cute as a button. A snuggly / cute / woodsy spot. With some vegan options, hot drinks and chilled out vibes. Their vegan burrito is a tasty option if in the area.
THE TREE HOUSE
Located right next to Belongil beach – The Tree House – has some vegan options and all the pizzas can be made without cheese.
ASIA JOE’S
Curries, soup, stir- fries, salads etc… ‘V’ is next to the food that has a vegan option available you just need to tell whoever is taking your order.
DOMINOS
It has happened. Vegan cheese has landed at Dominos in Australia. There are 3 different vegan pizzas already and you can also add the vegan mozzarella to any pizza as well. The garlic bread is also vegan.
THE MEZ CLUB
The Mez have a ‘V’ or ‘VO’ on the menu. It’s always nice to have a cheeky pita bread and hummus to accompany a cocktail swim.
GUZMAN AND GOMEZ
You can get a burrito, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, salads etc… Just ditch the cheese.
THE WRAPPERIE
Raw, vegan and gluten-free wrap and salad bar.
CURLY KALE
Also hidden away in the industrial estate. The Curly Kale has smoothies, smoothie bowls, nachos, curry, lasagne, sweet treats and more…
SUNDAY SUSTAINABLE BAKERY
Yummy fresh vegan bread available and other snacks.
BELLA ROSA GELATERIA
All of the sorbets are vegan – A scoop of coconut and a scoop of chocolate is the best combo!
THE TOP SHOP
Smoothies, smoothies bowls, coffees! Cute spot on the top of the hill.
MAIN STREET BURGER BAR
Yum vegan burger, fries and salad available!
MANNA HAVEN
Vegetarian cafe with loads of vegan options like – lasagne, salads, smoothies, cakes etc…
TWISTED SISTA
Check out their cake cabinet – they have homemade cakes and normally a vegan one. If the chocolate mud cake is available. Buy it. You’re welcome!
BYRON YOGA CENTRE
If you fancy a sweet yoga retreat – the Byron Yoga Centre is the perfect tucked away spot. Lovely people and amazing homemade vegan food.
FARMERS MARKET
Every Thursday morning the Byron farmers market is in full swing – there is music, local farmers with loads of veggies to choose from, tempeh, sauerkraut, smoothies, fruit and more!
If you fancy heading further a field – try out…
- Green house canteen
- Green house canteen and spa
- Miami vegan markets
- Vegan burger night Mullumbimby
- Mandala and Co – Vegan pizza!
- Zambrero – The vegan burrito of dreams
- Brunswick chip shop – Fish Bar has the best chips and Starfish takeaway has vegan aioli.
Facebook vegan groups to get involved in
Byron Bay Vegans
Byron Bay Vegan Gatherings
♥ People and places to show some love ♥
VEGAN FROTHERZ
Awesome bunch of people with awesome clothing. Keep an eye out for their Vegan Frotherz Fest events.
SUGAR SHINE FARM
A wonderful team of people – putting the animals first. It is so much fun getting involved in their volunteer days. Genuine, lovely people – trying to make a real difference.
SAVE A COW
Save A Cow – is Australia’s biggest cow sanctuary and biggest ‘large farm animal’ sanctuary. Definitely worth showing them some support!
SEA SHEPHERD STALL
Sea Shepherd are always keen for volunteers to help with the running of their stall to help continue the wonderful work they do.
Cube of Truth
The Cube of Truth is showing up all over the world – so definitely worth getting involved if you are keen to share some vegan truths.
To accompany the food wonders, here is a mini
– Byron Bucket List –
THE LIGHTHOUSE: Sunrise – Sunset – and under the stars. Walk, run or jump. You could take a picnic to the top and sit on the grass or even go inside the lighthouse and head to the top.
THE WATER TOWER: My favourite place in Byron. So peaceful and pretty!
THE LOOK OUT: There is a wonderful lookout point where paragliders’ set off from by the top of the lighthouse if you want a wonderful view.
DOLPHIN KAYAKS: You can go on a tour with – Go Sea Kayaks or Cape Byron Kayaks.
DIVING: You can go diving with – Byron Bay Dive Centre, Sundive Byron Bay, Underwater Australasia or Blue Bay Divers.
WATERFALLS: Head for an adventure and dip – Minyon Falls,Terania Creek, Protestor Falls, Killen Falls, Dagwood Falls, Elabana Falls and more…
FESTIVALS: If you are around at the right time it’s definitely worth checking out: Splendour in the Grass, Bluesfest, Falls Fest, Byron Bay Writer’s Festival, Byron Surf Festival, Byron Bay International Film Festival, Mullum Music Festival, Byron Spirit Festival etc…
SURF: Try a surf lesson whilst in town.
FARMERS MARKETS: Every Thursday morning – Live music and food stalls!
SATURDAY MARKETS: Food / clothing / jewellery etc… Every Saturday by the Railway Pub.
MOUNT WARNING: Quite the walk – with quite the view.
BEACH CRAWL: Pack food, drinks, a towel and some music and head on a beach crawl – Whites Beach, Belongil, Clarkes, The Pass etc…
If you make it to his beautiful part of the world – then just enjoy every second.
And remember – you won’t go hungry…
Eat the extra piece of cake / order another round of chips / eat more than you probably should…
Don’t worry
(Blame it on the moon)
Billy
BOB ATE MY BAGEL 