TO DINE FOR

HATTED RESTAURANTS OF THE NORTHERN RIVERS

In recent years the Northern Rivers has become a Mecca for creative chefs and inspired restaurateurs, drawn to the region’s lush landscape, laid- back lifestyle, farm fresh ingredients and artisanal products. So, when the Australian Good Food Guide announced their Chef Hat award winners for 2022, we weren’t surprised that 20 of the restaurants are right here on our doorstep. Here’s a taste of what’s cooking across the region.

Forest

Forest

Sophisticated yet supremely chilled, Forest at Crystalbrook Byron is imbued with a distinct sense of place, from sublime views over a lush swathe of rainforest, to cuisine that is passionately local with over 80% of ingredients coming from within a three-hour drive of the restaurant. It’s all about sustainability and “using the best produce we can get our hands on,” says Executive Chef Jordan Staniford, the visionary behind a seasonally driven menu comprised of sustainable seafood, free range meat and flavourful native ingredients grown in the surrounding rainforests and dunes. Creatively presented dishes are fresh, imaginative, and ultimately playful. Expect chargrilled Ballina king prawns with gremolata and spicy XO chilli oil, Iluka squid pan-roasted with Forest tapenade, lemon and herbs, and Basque burnt cheesecake with house-made resort honey ice cream. Enchanting by day, Forest takes on a magical (and rather romantic) allure in the evenings, bathed in the soft glow of lanterns with the rainforest illuminated by spotlight. You will be tempted to linger, so consider the Taste of Forest 5-course degustation menu (vegan option available) paired with sustainable, organic wines from an intriguing wine list. Prefer a cocktail? How about a Byron-esque Fairy Dust Martini or a healthy Recharge from the Elixir Bar. Open to outside guests, Forest is ideal for those looking for an indulgent night out in Byron Bay.

Byron Bay, crystalbrookcollection.com/byron/forest

Cadeau Restaurant

CADEAU RESTAURANT

Laid-back Brunswick Heads is the perfect setting for this classy eatery created by husband-and-wife team, chef Giorgio Ravelli and Holly Ottignon. While the vibe is chilled there is nothing casual about the full flavour, European-influenced cuisine, led by premium local ingredients and a nose to tail ethos so that nothing goes to waste. “Chefs and foodies love eating with us, as they know they are not going to get the same thing anywhere else,” says Holly. Giorgio can often be spotted chatting with his vegetable suppliers at the New Brighton Market, or selecting the special catch of the day from a local trawler at the Brunswick Heads Co-op. This translates on the menu in dishes like Market fish with Madagascar bean cassoulet and Montpellier butter, and Misty Creek chicken, Jerusalem artichoke dauphine and creamed kale. The wine list and craft cocktails are equally impressive, with interesting artwork and an eclectic soundtrack further enhancing the experience. Dining with friends? Let Georgio dazzle you with a selection of dishes in the Chef’s banquet, and if you are hankering for a Sunday Roast with all the trimmings this warm and cosy spot is the best in the area.

Brunswick Heads, cadeaurestaurant.com

Paper Daisy

Paper Daisy

Fringed by palm trees and pandanus, just metres from Cabarita Beach and the crashing surf, an evocative coastal theme pervades Paper Daisy. Think stylish blue and white décor, retro coastal charm, and a menu that favours sustainable seafood, seaweed and succulents foraged right along the shoreline. Executive Chef Jason Barratt honed his skills in some of Melbourne’s top restaurants and his artful, harmonious dishes blend skilful technique with boundless inspiration. Daily changing four course dinner menus are ingredient driven. The term farm to fork isn’t just a concept in the Northern Rivers, “It’s a very real connection,” says Jason, and what isn’t harvested from the coast often grows in the surrounding rich fertile valleys. A memorable wine list features lighter styles of wines and Champagne that pair perfectly with the fresh and flavourful coastal cuisine that showcases dishes such as Line-caught Spanish mackerel, steamed clams, salted cucumber, beach herbs, Sea spinach agnolotti with bunya nut and pineapple sage, and Riverina lamb rump with eggplant, green mango, macadamia, and nasturtium. Paper Daisy is located at iconic boutique hotel, Halcyon House and open to external guests for dinner (and for lunch groups over six).

Cabarita Beach, halcyonhouse.com.au/paper-daisy-restaurant

POTAGER

POTAGER – A KITCHEN GARDEN

With a wonderful setting in a converted farmhouse in the picturesque hills of Carool, Potager is high on the feel-good factor. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the 10-acre property boasts panoramic views that stretch to the southern Gold Coast, so close yet a world away from this charming pocket of the Tweed hinterland. Translating as ‘kitchen garden’ in French, much of the produce served at Potager is plucked fresh from the flourishing garden beds that surround the restaurant or sourced from local farmers and independent suppliers. “It’s all about community,” says owner and gracious host, Peter Burr – from the carved wooden tables to the gorgeous handcrafted ceramic plates and the friendly local staff. The modern Australian menu changes with the seasons, but the theme of good honest cuisine is a constant, with dishes that are wholesome, full of flavour and refreshingly unfussy. Think hearty Peruvian fish stew, Byronshire roasted porchetta with calvados apple, rosemary garden vegetables and local cider and sage jus, and a sensational Organic ink gin-soaked rhubarb with celeriac ice cream and macadamia crumble.

Carool, potager.com.au

Potager

Tweed River House

Tweed River House

Perched on the lush grassy banks of the Tweed River, this lovingly restored grand old river house combines colonial-style glamour with a contemporary, ever evolving seasonal menu to memorable effect. Executive Chef Joseph McGrattan honed his talents in Michelin star restaurants in Europe and applies classic techniques to shape seasonal menus starring locally grown, organic and indigenous ingredients. The veranda, with its sweeping views of the river, Wollumbin and the hinterland ranges is the ideal setting for a long languid lunch, while the elegant dining room strikes just the right note for a classy dinner. Choose from a two or three course menu, or go the full monty with a degustation menu paired with wines. On the menu? Drake Creek duck a l’orange with bunya nut puree, choucroute, sarladaises potato and riberries, strawberry mille-feuille with wattleseed crumble and pandanus crème patisserie. Celebrating something special with friends? Book the Chandelier Private Dining Room for a truly memorable evening.

Murwillumbah, tweedriverhouse.com.au

NO 35 KITCHEN AND BAR

NO 35 KITCHEN AND BAR

The newest Hatted restaurant on the block, No.35 had an instant following from the day it opened in July 2021, with loyal patrons drawn to the casual contemporary atmosphere and tasty, authentic new world Italian cuisine. Created by restaurateur Rachel Duffy, and chef Daniel Medcalf, the food is of the calibre you would expect from a duo that honed their skills in some of Sydney’s most iconic restaurants, including Icebergs. “We wanted to do everyday Italian really well,” says Rachel, and they have achieved just that with dishes like golden crumbed Arancini, a wonderfully aromatic Carnaroli rice with autumn mushrooms and saffron, Spaghetti nero with swimmer crab, roasted tomato and chilli, and the smoothest Tiramisu this side of Italy. A good selection of Spritzes make for a tasty aperitivo, while Rachel’s passion for minimal intervention wines is represented in a thoughtful wine list. Award-winning restaurants and kids don’t always go well together, but No. 35 is refreshingly family friendly and has a fun kid’s menu (who doesn’t love pasta with butter and parmesan, cheesy arancini and gelato), so you can still enjoy a great meal out even with the kids in tow.

Cabarita Beach, number35.com.au

Pipit

PIPIT RESTAUARNT

Coastal dining at its finest, with talented Chef Ben Devlin favouring woodfired cooking, sustainable seafood, and bold flavours in this bright contemporary restaurant. Take a seat at the counter for a fun, interactive meal as you watch the team prepare your meal in the open plan kitchen.

pipitrestaurant.com

FINS RESTAURANT

Salt Village, Kingscliff, fins.com.auA decadent dining experience, Fins has been Hatted for the last 22 years. Celebrity chef, Steven Snow bases his menu on a love for fresh produce, oceanic treats, and quirky wines. In the mood for a splurge? Treat yourself to a 5-course seafood tasting menu, with options for wine pairing.

Salt Village, Kingscliff, fins.com.au

Finns

FLEET RESTAURANT

A favourite with foodies, thanks to a superb hyper-local degustation menu created by chef-owner Josh Lewis, Fleet was temporarily closed at the time of going to print but we hope to see the team back in action soon.

Brunswick Heads, fleet-restaurant.com.au

HARVEST

Set in a 100-year-old converted farmhouse in picturesque Newrybar, Harvest showcases seasonal organic produce, with a preference for artisanal suppliers, foraged native Australian ingredients and vegetables plucked straight from the edible gardens.

Newyrbar, harvest.com.au

LOLA DINING

An intimate and soulful restaurant, Lola is the creation of chefs Olivia Serrano from Barcelona and Rosa Diaferia from Puglia, who had the vision of serving inventive, intelligent cuisine based on simple highquality ingredients that proliferate in the Northern Rivers.

Ballina, loladining.com.au

THE LOFT RESTAURANT

A much-loved Lismore institution, The Loft is all about indulging the senses with a stylish, modern Australian menu. Sadly, the restaurant is temporarily closed due to extensive damage from the March floods. “Our heart is still in there,” says owner, Brad Rickard, who hopes to reopen in the coming months. Watch this space.

Lismore, theloftrestaurant.com.au

SEASON RESTAURANT

Located within Peppers Salt Resort & Spa, Season will lead you on a culinary journey around the Northern Rivers, with sustainably sourced meat, and fruits and vegetables freshly plucked from local orchards and crops.

Salt Village, Kingscliff, seasonkingscliff.com.au

BEACH BRYON BAY

A memorable beachfront setting is matched by an impressive Mediterraneaninspired menu. Think woodfired seafood, handmade pastas, fine wines, craft cocktails and local beers.

Byron Bay, beachbyronbay.com.au

KARKALLA

With a motto of ‘ancient ingredients, modern flavours’, Karkalla is an indigenous Australian restaurant with a focus on locally sourced, seasonal produce and native indigenous ingredients.

Byron Bay, karkalla.com.au

TAVERNA

Come for the gorgeous beachside setting and stay for fabulously fresh Greek flavours and divine cocktails.

Kingscliff, taverna.net.au

DI VINO

An authentic Italian eatery in the heart of Byron Bay with a relaxed atmosphere and impressive selection of Australian and Italian wines.

Byron Bay, divinobyron.com

RAES DINING ROOM

An iconic dining experience with a to-die-for setting at Wategos beach. Expect Modern Australian cuisine with a Mediterranean influence.

Byron Bay, raes.com.au

THE HUT

With an atmospheric setting in a restored schoolhouse, The Hut brings a touch of La Dolce Vita to the Byron Hinterland with its tasty Italian cuisine.

Possum Creek, thehutbyronbay.com.au

KARRIKIN

Rustic, native cuisine based on the region’s local catch, seasonal produce and foraged delicacies woven together with true artistry.

Yamba, karrikinyamba.com.au