I SEE THE SEA

WE CAN SEE THE SEA

You know what they say, if you can see the sea then eat the food from said sea.

Fins Restaurant

WORDS: KYLIE MITCHELL-SMITH

Northern Rivers is a thriving natural food bowl, from the rich red volcanic soil to the clean waters lining the coast. The ideal place for summer seafood lovers, with an array of eateries bursting with local produce, from your classic fish’n’chippery to fine dining restaurants with award-winning chefs.

Home to the world’s largest artificial prawn weighing in just shy of 40 tonnes, you can grab that quirky ‘gram shot whilst snacking on the freshest seafood around. For a burst of fresh seafood this summer, check out our list of tasty morsels from Ballina to the Border.

A Co-op of Fishermen (& Women)

An old school indoor and outdoor fish and chip eatery just a stone’s throw from the biggest prawn sculpture ever, the Ballina Fish Co-Op is jam-packed with local seafood. Owned by a group of the town’s fisher people who take pride in selling their daily catch in the shop. Stocking only the freshest of produce, eat in or take away… to the beach of course.

ballinafishermenscoop.com.au

It’s all a bit Fishy

Newest fish owners on the block Fishy Fishy Lennox Head are fast becoming the place to get a banging barramundi burger, seafood platter, fresh prawns and oysters. Not to mention friendly staff serving good coffee and delicious brownies, Fishy Fishy is where sea life meets the food eye.

@fishyfishylennox

Fishheads

Fish & Chip Mongers

If its gourmet fish and chips fresh off the boat that you’re after, head to Fishmongers Byron Bay. Offering a selection of local seafood from freshly shucked oysters to loaded fish tacos, with a generous side of hand-cut chips. A selection of local beverages from Brookies Gin to Stone and Wood are available, you can dine-in on Bay Lane or takeaway and enjoy the picturesque beaches close by.

fishmongersbyron.com.au

Beachfront dining, Byron Bay style, the iconic Fishheads has seen many a decade and takes pride of place looking out over the Pacific Ocean at Main Beach. Ideal for a long lunch by the sea or take away and enjoy the adjacent park and beach vibes. From the healthiest of fresh juices to tasty sunset cocktails, paired with a seafood platter it’s where all your seafaring dreams come true.

fishheadsbyron.com.au

Okky Dokey, Fish Pokey

The little Japanese infused beauty Okky has popped up in Pottsville and is as tasty as it is healthy. Specialising in fresh local fish, everything on the menu is gluten free. From bento boxes to Japanese curries to tasty fish and chip combo packs, jam-packed with flavour. There’s an array of raw desserts to takeaway, so grab a picnic rug and take a healthy dose of Okky fish and chips to the headland for a magical sunset dinner.

@okkyallgf

Tasty & Stunned Mullet

It’s all in the name, Stunned Mullet is located adjacent to Cabarita Beach and is the perfect place to grab the freshest seafood, salads, and fish tacos. Choose from an array of salt and spice toppings, with a cabinet full of homemade sweets and drinks to suit, Stunned Mullet is a local fave.

thestunnedmulletcaba.com

Fresh Scales and Tales

On the tip of the border Scales is an institution for locals and visitors alike, offering fresh and cooked seafood to takeaway or enjoy by the Tweed River ideally located opposite the shop. Sourcing seafood straight from the trawlers, from freshly shucked oysters to a variety of the tastiest prawns around. Take in, take out, or there’s handy delivery service straight to your door.

scalesseafood.com.au

Beachfront Seafood Beauty

The fine folk at Unicorn Seafood Restaurant say it’s dining done differently. Renowned for their crustacean of mornay, there’s also a full à la cart menu to suit all tastes. Located beachfront on Marine Parade Kingscliff, Unicorn Seafood is the sister venue to their popular Broadbeach Restaurant. Offering a full selection of wine, beer and spirits, it’s the perfect place for hot summer days and balmy nights.

unicornseafoodrestaurant.com

Cooly Breeze Rooftop Restaurant & Bar is the place where great cooking and fantastic vibes meet. We are a full-service restaurant with the ocean views that brings Mediterranean flavours to one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic locations. Focusing on fresh, locally sourced & produced ingredients, Executive Chef Marcondes Almeida Neto draws European culinary influence into our kitchen, offering you a unique, modern, creative dining experience.

TRADING HOURS: MON: 5PM - 9PM TUE & WED CLOSED THURS TO SUN: 12PM - 9PM QLD TIME

CONTACT & BOOKINGS: +61 434107559 @coolybreezerooftop coolybreezerooftop.com 3th Level Beachcomber International Resort, COOLANGATTA

Fins Cooly Breeze Cooly Breeze

Fresh Fins for Days

Award winning Fins owned and operated by Northern Rivers chef extraordinaire Steven Snow, has been serving up the freshest local seafood with a ‘Snowy’s Fish’ twist for decades. Lauded as retaining the most consecutive Hats in Australia (22 years), Fins is as iconic as it is welcoming. Beginning its life in Brunswick Heads, then Byron Bay and now calling Salt Kingscliff home, Fins offers a fine dining experience accompanied by a selection of wines sourced from across the globe. fins.com.au

Shucked by the River

The Oyster Shed is tucked away in a riverside hamlet at Birds Bay on the road out to Bilambil Heights. Renowned for their ‘Catch A Crab’ tours, the old oyster shed was recently given a stylish makeover. The ideal place to feast on oysters and enjoy a curated list of locally inspired cocktails as the sun sets over the Tweed River. The Oyster Shed can accommodate large bookings or smaller intimate groups, book now for the freshest oysters in town.

theoystershed.com.au

Capture the Cooly Breeze

Location, location, location…. Cooly Breeze is perched high above Coolangatta and is the ideal summer dining spot by the sea. Boasting a Mediterranean menu threaded with local seafood, the rooftop bar and restaurant have uninterrupted views across Coolangatta Beach. Enjoy a curated selection of Cooly Breeze cocktails with your banquet of seafood as the sun sets across the mountains beyond.

coolybreezerooftop.com

From Ballina to the Border there’s a plethora of fresh and local seafood for all your summer feasting needs, dress up and dinein or back up the car and enjoy by the beach as the sun sets over the Northern Rivers.

HOT OFF THE GRILL: MOONLIGHT BRINGS JAPANESE HIBACHI TO BYRON BAY

Bay Lane has recently welcomed Moonlight, a moody Japanese Hibachi grill and wine bar offering traditional Japanese cuisine and beverages, along with textured, monochromatic interiors.

Moonlight Hibachi Grill and Wine Bar is an intimate 45-seat restaurant and bar delivering modern Japanese and biodynamic wines picked according to the luna cycle. The venue features Japanese-inspired architecture accompanied by a range of textures like plasterwork, stainless steel, concrete, cork, and timber, while the venue’s lighting has been designed to narrow your focus to artfully plated dishes. The menu takes flavours from classical Japanese cuisine and reinterprets them into unexpected and punchy dishes, which rotate regularly. Broken into three sections, the offering includes a raw bar, featuring seafood classics like tuna and kingfish, and watermelon with ponzu and shiso; Hibachi with yakitori and scallops; and sides, including furikake fries and a pickled cucumber dish which is not to be overlooked!

The wine list, curated by Sean Duncan, holds true to authentic Japanese influences with an offering of biodynamic wines picked according to the lunar cycle: crisp and aromatic to pair with the raw dishes, and vibrant, textural wines to match the smoke-driven flavours of the hibachi.

The cocktails menu showcases highballs made from homemade soda and natural garnishes with an extended offering of saké from some of the oldest breweries in the world, and for the seasoned drinker, an enviable range of Japanese whiskies.

Moonlight is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 5pm to late. moonlightbar.com.au

BAR CRAWL

NORTHERN RIVERS STYLE

WRITTEN BY: ALISON BONE

Fancy a drink? There is no shortage of great pubs in the Northern Rivers, but where do you go when you are more in the mood for innovative cocktails, boutique wines and an intimate bar experience. From atmospheric hole in the wall joints to breezy balconies and sumptuous lounges, here’s some cool venues to quench your thirst this summer (just don’t forget to designate a driver!)

Ballina to Lennox Head

Cooled by an afternoon breeze, The Wharf Bar and Restaurant is right on the waterfront in Ballina and offers a good selection of local spirits and beers. Can’t decide what to drink? Order The Paddle, featuring four different cocktails from the regions best-loved distillers - Brookies, Tintenbar Distillery, Husk Distillery & Lord Byron. Then stroll along the river to Mezza Lounge Bar and Restaurant, where a spacious terrace sets the perfect scene for a classic cocktail.

Heading north to Lennox Head, Mr Tipsy’s has a lively tropical Asian vibe with its evocative dragon murals and parasoladorned wall. Standout signature cocktails include the Nashi Pear and Cinnamon Sour. Prefer something spicy? How about the Chilli Bee with house-infused chilli vodka, Triple Sec, pineapple, kaffir lime and agave? Across the road, Shorty’s Restaurant and Bar is an atmospheric hole in the wall bar, serving up local ales and spirits, as well as delicious craft cocktails like the Ginny Hendrix with elderflower, mint, cucumber, sage, and lime.

Byron Bay

The epitome of coastal chic, Loft Byron Bay has ocean views from its bright and breezy balcony on Jonson Street. Enjoy the cruisy vibe with a refreshing Watermelon Summertini, Gogi Sling or locally brewed beer, and take advantage of two daily happy hours with $14 Margaritas (4-6pm), and 2 for $20 Espresso Martinis (9-10pm). Looking for live music? Wander across the road to The Beach Hotel, where bands and DJs create a lively buzz every night of the week.

Cellars is an alluring boutique wine bar around the corner on Bay Lane, serving up an impressive selection of organic and biodynamic wines from around the globe. Byron newbie, Bar Heather, further up on Jonson Lane, also focuses on natural wines – showcasing small independent wine producers to a lively soundtrack of Afrobeat and late era disco. And for a stylish Mediterranean lounge bar experience complete with live DJ sets, there’s no going past The Mez Club – think Greek Islands with a splash of Morocco thrown into the mix.

Murwillumbah to Burringbar

The drinking scene in Murwillumbah has long been dominated by grand old Art Deco pubs, but times are changing and exciting new things are afoot. For classy signature cocktails served in an elegant atmosphere, Tweed River House is a must, with their newly opened Lawn Bar the perfect spot for balmy summer evenings under the stars – try the Spritz made with Davidson Plum Liqueur, pinot gris, cranberry and strawberry gum leaf. Another lovely spot is the balcony at Regent Cinema – a gorgeous art deco building in the centre of town. The bar serves up organic/biodynamic wines and signature Slushie Margaritas, accompanied by live music on Saturdays from 6-8pm. And don’t miss the Spangled Drongo Brewery. When we visited it was a funky pop-up bar within the M|Arts Precinct, but their new venue (right under the Regent Cinema) is scheduled to open in January and promises a cool industrial/skate vibe. Fiercely local, Spangled Drongo is making its mark and building a steady following with its sustainable and ethical approach to brewing. If beer isn’t your thing, try one of their exquisite cocktails, like the Lychee Caipirinha. Also within the M|Arts Precinct is stylish Bistro Livi, with a classy wine list that focuses on minimal intervention wine producers. Continuing the wine theme across to Burringbar, The Brooklyn Tasting Room offers a cellar door style experience, serving up natural wines from some of the finest wineries in the world. There’s an impressive selection of craft beers too!

Cabarita to Tweed Heads

Back on the coast, Cabarita Beach SLSC Bar has great views and makes a lovely spot for a weekend drink, but for a more quintessential bar experience infused with a laid-back Cabarita vibe, settle into a booth at The Burrow. Local beers on tap include their own recently released Burrow Bitter, and the cocktails are fabulous – the Caba Colada, made with local artisan Soltera Blanco Rum will get you in a holiday mood. Open mic jam nights here are a blast.

In Kingscliff, soak up the retro vibe at the Pot and Pint, a European-inspired bar specialising in craft beers. Tequila Tuesdays means $15 Margaritas all day, and you can catch live music on the weekends. Finally, if you prefer to create a ‘bar at home’ situation, head to Rob Roy Deli and Drinks on Bay Street, Tweed Heads. Run by a sommelier and a chef, you will find an incredible selection of wines, beers and spirits plus great deli items and readymade meals to snazz up a night in.

Mr Tipsy’s

INSPIRING ILLUMINATION

Nestled in a cosy corner of the Byron Arts & Industry Estate, lies the Creative Lighting Solutions retail / trade showroom - home to a stunning and diverse collection of architechtural, decorative and landscape lighting from Australia and around the World. To walk into this beautiful showroom is a truly captivating experience - with luminaires in an array of colours, shapes, finishes and design styles, together creating a wonderful ambience. As project specialists in both domestic and commercial lighting, with a passion for uniquely tailored lighting design, Creative Lighting Solutions cater for all styles and budgets across a broad range of interior and exterior applications. Whether you are searching for a decorative lamp, require lights for an entire project, live locally or afar - the talented team of lighting consultants combine expertise in a range of specialties to offer all clients complete, complimentary design and technical support as well as no obligation on-site design consults for locals. So, pop into the showroom, pull up a cosy chair, soak in the lights and be inspired to create! The showroom is open 9am – 4pm Monday – Friday at Unit 5 / 21- 23 Tasman Way, Byron Bay Arts & Industry Estate (Entry via Wollongbar St) Visit creativelightingsolutions.com.au to find out more about their project work and range, and to shop online. Creative Lighting Solutions ship express Australia-wide and can also arrange international freight.

creativelightingsolutions.com.au

THE YOUTHFUL SOUL OF CABA

Liv Brady

For Liv Brady, growing up in a large family meant food brought everyone together. And it’s those fond memories of her childhood - her dad’s luscious veggie garden and the buzz of her mum’s coffee shop in her country hometown of Dalby - that planted seeds for her future career. But it was her extensive travel through Europe and an exploration of the luscious coastline of Costa Rica where her love of all things coffee and food really took root. “Cabarita reminds me so much of the Caribbean Coast.” says Liv, “It’s a place where the mountains meet the sea. It can’t help but evoke that uplifting holiday vibe.” But it’s not all holidays for this savvy businesswomen who has tirelessly poured her heart and soul into raising the bar when it comes to a vibrant café experience along the Tweed Coast.

Liv’s first foray in cafés was The Palm in Pottsville, which was a steep learning curve in business but, with a team of loyal and talented staff behind her she created a buzzing vibe that was a massive hit with the locals. “At first people thought I was too new to the town and too young, but I learnt I had to really back myself and just keep showing up.” And it was this drive, determination, and unwavering insistence on heeding her inner guide that ultimately led Liv to Caba Social – an established local hotspot since 2019. “When Caba Social came up for sale it was divine timing, and exactly the opportunity for growth I needed at this point in my life.” It may have taken a cosmic pull to bring her here, but Cabarita also needed the youthful energy and joy that Liv and her amazing team bring to the beach strip. With talented Chef Jay at the helm creating a delicious menu of daily breakfast and lunch offerings as well as loads of healthy, fresh, and raw treats designed by Chef Shanni & Tenneal, this relaxed, modern-style café is rounded out by a friendly team of baristas whose skills are second to none.

What’s more, Liv’s passion for getting involved in the community means she has exciting plans for Caba Social. And we can’t wait to see what goods she will serve up next.

Caba Social | 51 Tweed Coast Road, Cabarita Beach | @cabasocial

Caba Social is a family owned and run café. Not only focused on delivering fresh, healthy and wholesome food made in-house but also taking utmost pride in our customer service where locals become friends and the staff become family, its a vibe for all. Ideally situated in the centre of Cabarita Beach, come and enjoy our relaxed atmosphere or grab a takeaway on your way to the beach, just a short stroll away

Takeaway orders - join us on the @Skipapp or call us on 02 6676 0110

Open 6am - 3pm 51 Tweed Coast Rd, Cabarita Beach

@cabasocial