Epicurean Mornings: Best Breakfast Byron Bay
Pictured:
Bayleaf Cafe
‘Breakfast is everything. The beginning, the first thing. It is the mouthful that is the commitment to a new day, a continuing life.’ - A. A. Gill, British Author, Journalist and Food Critic
Begin the day with intent by exploring Byron Bay’s epicurean morning offerings.
Outside the sanctuary of Basq House, the streets of the village centre are lined with Byron Bay cafes that boast curated breakfast menus, gifted baristas and a vibrant and eclectic service culture that is authentically Byron.
The Byron Bay best breakfast experience lies in the eye of the beholder – or the tastebuds of the diner in this case.
Whether you seek the atmosphere and convenience of a bustling village café just steps away or wish to dive into that great holiday pleasure of exploring further afield, this breakfast guide uncovers gems of Byron Bay’s culinary culture.
Sidewalk Savvy: Walk to Breakfast
One of the great wonders of Basq House’s village location is the ability to walk to so many of the attractions and experiences that make Byron Bay the eclectic destination that is it.
Bayleaf Cafe
2A Marvell Street, Byron Bay – 1 minute walk
Step out of your little pocket of paradise and stroll just down the road to a Byron Bay café that is a staple daily pilgrimage for locals who love coffee and seasonal breakfast delights.
The search for the best coffee Byron Bay could end before it’s begun, if you begin at Bayleaf Café. Coffee is brewed from ethically sourced beans that arrive at the café just three days after being roasted to perfection by Blackboard Coffee Roasters.
The breakfast menu features inspired evolutions on morning favourites such as banana and hemp seed bread with passionfruit honey and candied pecans, pumpkin spice porridge or a kimchijeon – a Korean pancake with kimchi and a fried egg.
Coffee and eats aside, we think it might actually be the atmosphere that keeps us coming back. With the hum of vibrant village energy buzzing through it, the café is designed with the intention to create a home away from home.
High Life
5/103 Jonson Street, Byron Bay – 3 minutes walk
Set back from the thrum of the main street, High Life is a breakfast venue that offers a rare insight into Byron’s true local café scene.
With one of the best playlists in Byron Bay and a cosy, intimate space, High Life is a space to delight in. Even the name offers a sense of the café’s personality with a cheeky wink to a hippie culture of ages passed.
Food is beautifully presented, organic, seasonal and while not entirely vegan, the vegan dishes are good enough to transform a devoted carnivore. Air light, freshly baked croissants and elevated smashed avocado dishes are served with iconic Allpress Espresso coffees and other wellness-focused tonics served with homemade nut milks.
Combi
25 Fletcher Street, Byron Bay– 3 minutes walk
Combi is a central village café with an industrial décor softened by natural wood and millennium pink themes, creating an elevated, modern hipster aesthetic to match a modern day, wellbeing focused menu.
A refined farm to plate menu features buckwheat pancakes, Byron bruschetta, sourdough crumpets and nourishing bowls served alongside fair trade coffee brews, raw smoothies and cold pressed juices.
Combi is a family-owned breakfast secret for the conscious and community centric locals and travellers seeking authenticity.
Top Shop
65 Carlyle Street – 12 minutes walk
This locally loved café sits on top of a hill on the corner of Massinger and Carlyle Street, up from Clarkes Beach. The epitome of Byron’s carefree personality delivered in the theme of a 1950’s milk bar, Top Shop is all about takeaway coffees picked up via skateboard, the perfect housemade granola or stacked egg and bacon roll.
The original vision of Top Shop was to deliver the highest quality food, supported by local farmers and suppliers. Today, Top Shop offers dishes made from ethically sourced ingredients such as local, free range bacon from Hayters Hill Farm, just five minutes drive away.
Walk up the hill and choose a picnic rug or cosy spot under the umbrellas and indulge in a single origin coffee, healthy smoothie and a quality, delicious breakfast.
A Morning Affair: Best Drivable Byron Bay Breakfasts
With paddocks fed by Mother Nature, farmers fuelled by passion and chefs, and restaurateurs who transform these ingredients into cuisine, there are some special Byron Bay breakfasts that must be explored.
Folk
399 Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay – 6 minutes drive
An embodiment of eco-chic design, Folk café finds its home in a converted weatherboard cottage kissed by crawling vines and shaded by gum trees. Inside you’ll find white-washed walls and vintage pottery pieces and a warm sense of welcome.
This thriving vegetarian-focused café has a medley of sustainability, food, art and community spirit at its core that evolves with the tastes of the people who love to frequent it.
Pull up a seat on the porch or lounge on a gigantic cushion and dine on fuss free, fresh breakfast foods like the famed Folk burrito, soba noodle salad or organic cinnamon raisin bagel.
Vagabond
1 Porter Street, Byron Bay (Habitat precinct) – 10 minutes drive
Aptly named, Vagabond is a cool, casual and nutritious plant-based breakfast café and a Byron favourite for locals and travellers alike.
Fostering a connection between diners and local produce, Vagabond offers a guilt-free breakfast experience. Sourdough cinnamon scrolls, buckwheat waffles and immune-boosting kitchari fuel the body while bulletproof coffee, dirty chai lattes and cacao elixirs warm the soul.
Even the water is healthy, with complimentary kangen water on offer – a hydrogen-rich, electrolysed reduced water that reduces oxidative stress in the body.
The indoor, outdoor casual eatery is adorned with rugs and cushions spread in the shade of trees. It’s a sanctuary befitting glowing yogis and digital nomads alike.
Three Blue Ducks, The Farm
11 Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay – 12 minutes drive
One of the true beauties of travel is the opportunity to learn, think and grow. Set on an 80 acre working farm, Three Blue Ducks is not just breakfast, but an experience in paddock to plate sustainability.
The vision for Three Blue Ducks began with three good mates travelling the world, cultivating ideas to approach eating and living sustainably. A restaurant concept based on good company and real food prepared with love was born.
Dine on plates of pear and almond fruit toast, black sticky rice pudding, red curry scramble or harissa spiced venison sausage, then wander the paddocks and meet the farm animals.
Whether you’re seeking a quick, healthy smoothie or one of those magical breakfasts that becomes lunch, Byron Bay has the breakfast for you.
Discover more of Byron Bay’s best restaurants in our guide to dinner experiences you won’t forget. Make a plan to fill those glorious hours between meals with our Byron by Bike guide.
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