Brunswick Heads: Where To Eat

Brunswick Heads is a coastal town in New South Wales, Australia, known for its laid-back vibe and burgeoning food scene. The town offers a wide variety of dining options, ranging from casual eateries to fine dining establishments, serving a diverse range of cuisines. Whether you're looking for a quick bite, a cosy night in, or a special occasion dining experience, Brunswick Heads has something to offer everyone. Here are some of the top restaurants and eateries to explore during your visit:

- Hotel Brunswick: This iconic Australian pub, located by the Brunswick River, offers a diverse menu that includes sandwiches, burgers, pub classics, pizzas, and even Japanese fusion options. It boasts a glorious beer garden shaded by poinciana trees, creating a family-friendly atmosphere.

- Cadeau Bar and Restaurant: A family-owned, laid-back restaurant with a European-influenced food menu and a grower-focused wine list. Cadeau offers a chef-selected banquet featuring dishes such as Brunswick River Rock oysters, asparagus mille-feuille, and Bungalora pork.

- Saint Maries: A popular pizzeria and wine bar located on the main street, serving classic pizzas and cocktails. They offer gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options, as well as happy hour deals.

- Honour Brunswick Heads: A unique dining spot that transforms from a cafe during the day to a wine and salumi bar at night. Honour offers relaxed European-style share plates and natural wines.

- La Casita: Dubbed the best Mexican restaurant in Brunswick Heads, La Casita serves impeccable food and perfected margaritas. It is known for its blush pink terracotta exterior and cheerful service.

- Bernardi's Artisanal Gelato and Cafe: Serving handmade gelato and sorbets made with traditional Sicilian techniques and locally sourced ingredients. They also offer a range of juices, smoothies, and smoothie bowls.

- Sticky Fingers Pizzeria and Restaurant: A family-friendly restaurant offering affordable meals, including delicious pizzas and mouth-watering salads, with gluten-free and vegan options.

- Brunswick Heads Health Foods: A health food shop and cafe located in the centre of town, offering organic and natural products, as well as quick naturopathic advice from qualified naturopaths.

- Natural Ice Cream Company: A unique ice cream experience featuring probiotic ice cream made with local, wild, and organic ingredients. Creations include guava and gac pie with strawberry ice cream and a warm rice pudding with jackfruit caramel.

Pubs and bars

Hotel Brunswick is a quintessential Aussie pub by the river in Brunswick Heads. It offers a warm and friendly atmosphere, delicious food, ice-cold beers, refreshing cocktails, and live entertainment. It also has a family-friendly environment with kids' meals and a new kids' play area. The pub is located on Mullumbimbi Street and is open for lunch and dinner, with light meals and snacks available in the afternoon.

Brunswick Heads Bowling Club is another option for a fun and friendly atmosphere. They offer live entertainment, pool, trivia nights, and monster meat raffles every week. The Pacific Bistro & Function Centre is open seven days a week and is located on the Old Pacific Highway.

For a more relaxed and casual option, Cadeau Bar and Restaurant is a good choice. It offers European-influenced food and a grower-focused wine list. It is located on Mullumbimbi Street and is open Thursday to Sunday.

If you're looking for a burger joint, try Old Maids Burger Store. They offer delicious burgers and are located on Fingal Street.

Finally, the Ocean Shores Tavern, located on Rajah Road, offers a variety of food and drink options, including cheesy garlic breads, burgers, and sweet chilli dishes.

Cafes

There are plenty of cafes to choose from in Brunswick Heads. For a morning coffee and a pastry, try Jones & Co. (now called Daily Counter), which also sells flowers, ceramics, and organic soap bars. For a grab-and-go lunch, head to the corner-hugging Bruns Bakery, which has been serving crusty sourdoughs, savouries, and buttery pastries since the 1950s.

For a caffeine fix with a side of vintage shopping, check out Table View, which serves city-quality specialty coffee and a distinctive brunch menu featuring farm-fresh produce from the Northern Rivers region. Try the Swedish potato waffle with poached egg, Portobello mushroom, sautéed greens, and crème fraiche.

For a hip, stylish, and family-friendly cafe, Footbridge Cafe offers a fresh and original menu, as well as gluten-free and kid-friendly options. Enjoy a welcoming vibe and excellent customer service.

For a cafe with a wonderful social atmosphere, try The Dolphin Cafe, situated right by the river. Enjoy a latte, fresh cake, or lunch special, and check out the unique local art and gourmet local produce section.

For fresh, healthy, and tasty vegetarian food, Yami is the place to go. The friendly crew will serve you with a smile, and the coffee is renowned.

For a health food shop and cafe, try Brunswick Heads Health Foods, located right in the centre of town. Discuss healthy lifestyles, organic food, local products, and community issues over a meal. Owner David Shaw is a qualified naturopath, and the shop offers a range of organic fresh and bulk foods, as well as personal and household products.

Pizza

If you're looking for pizza in Brunswick Heads, there are several great options to choose from. Here are some places to satisfy your pizza cravings:

Saint Maries

A popular choice among locals, Saint Maries is a relaxed pizza and wine bar located on Tweed Street. Open from Thursday to Sunday from 5 pm, they offer a variety of pizzas, including the Jerry, which has received high praise. Their arancini has also been described as crisp on the outside and soft and flavoursome on the inside.

Sticky Fingers Pizzeria

With a passion for pizza, Sticky Fingers offers a winning menu of 13 all-time favourites and seven gourmet pizzas. They cater to various dietary needs with gluten-free and vegan options. In addition to pizza, they serve beer, wine, and soft drinks, and you can bring your own wine with a small corkage fee. They are open daily, with extended hours on weekends.

Brunswick Pizza & Thai

While not much information is available about this restaurant, it is listed as one of the top restaurants in Brunswick Heads, suggesting it is worth considering for pizza lovers.

Earth 'n' Sea Amazing Pizza and Pasta Byron Bay

Located in nearby Byron Bay, Earth 'n' Sea has been hailed as the "best pizza place in Byron." They are known for their friendly staff and excellent food and service.

Trattoria Basiloco

Also in Byron Bay, Trattoria Basiloco offers a range of Italian dishes, including pizza. Their vibrant atmosphere, delicious food, and friendly staff have earned them a spot among the best pizza places in the area.

Vegetarian

There are plenty of vegetarian-friendly spots to eat in Brunswick Heads.

For a local favourite, try Yami, which offers indoor and outdoor seating, local art, and a healthy vegan and vegetarian menu. Their menu includes big interesting salads, hummus, babaganoush, breads, falafels, coffee and tea, smoothies, and sweets such as homemade banana bread.

For vegetarian Italian food, try Park Street Pasta Bar, which serves homemade pasta made from organic flour and free-range eggs. Their vegetarian options include arancini with pumpkin, sage and taleggio; roast pumpkin casarecce with kale, goat cheese, pine nuts and burnt butter sage; grilled haloumi salad; and warm lentil salad.

For vegetarian burgers, there's Old Maids Burger Store, which is open from 7:30 am.

Bernardi's Artisanal Gelato and Cafe offers handmade gelato and sorbets following traditional Sicilian recipes and techniques, using premium quality, natural and locally sourced ingredients where possible. They also have a wide range of juices, smoothies and smoothie bowls.

For vegetarian pizza, there's Sticky Fingers Pizzeria & Restaurant, which offers a variety of family-style, affordable meals, including vegetarian pizzas and mouth-watering salads (with gluten-free and vegan options).

For vegetarian Indian food, try Brunz Indian Takeaway, which offers traditional Indian curries, naan bread, and kebabs, as well as catering to vegetarians. They are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

Seafood

Fishmongers Byron Bay

This waterfront venue is known for its fresh seafood and pasta dishes. Enjoy flavoursome oysters and kingfish while taking in the beautiful ocean views. It is simple yet satisfying and offers great value for money.

Hunky Dory Fish & Chips

Hunky Dory is a popular choice for seafood lovers, serving up perfectly cooked classics like dory, prawns, calamari, and chips. It's a quick bite option with a pleasant atmosphere.

Fishheads Byron Bay

Fishheads offers a perfect vista over Byron Bay Main Beach. Enjoy grilled seafood and barbecue dishes with large servings of fresh food and great salads. It's a good option for those on a budget as the prices are reasonable compared to other venues in the area.

The Dolphin Cafe

Located right by the river, The Dolphin Cafe offers a wonderful social atmosphere. Enjoy a latte, fresh cake, or a lunch special while admiring local art and browsing the gourmet produce section. The Dolphin Cafe is a great spot to chat and soak up the vibrant energy.

Hotel Brunswick

Hotel Brunswick offers a contemporary menu in a beautiful setting—their beer garden is located under poinciana trees. They serve lunch from 12 pm to 3 pm and dinner from 6 pm, with light meals and snacks available between 3 pm and 5 pm. It's a family-friendly environment with a kids' play area and menu.

Hooper's Burgers, Fish & Chippery

Hooper's is a casual seafood spot in Brunswick Heads, serving up burgers, fish, and chips. It's a great option for those seeking a quick, easy meal without compromising on freshness and quality.

Frequently asked questions