Barrio

When Dan Wyllie opened Barrio in 2017, he aimed to bring a sense of community to the then-new Habitat precinct in Byron Bay’s Arts & Industry Estate. Based on the constant buzz that surrounds the al fresco eatery, it’s safe to say he’s succeeded.

Barrio (“neighbourhood” in Spanish) has gained a following for its excellent coffee, uncomplicated breakfasts and elevated lunch and dinner menu. More simply, it’s a pleasant place to sit and watch people in the tree-lined, courtyard-like mall Barrio faces out to.

When it’s time to eat you’ll appreciate the kitchen’s charcoal grill and woodfire oven, used to char and smoke meat and seafood sourced from a range of local providers. There’s even a charred-pineapple Pina Colada that appears on the cocktail list from time to time. Other menu highlights include a local stracciatella served with house-made fennel jam and radicchio doused in burnt sugar-infused olive oil.

The revolving wine list combines natural Australian wines with old-world classics, with a focus on small-scale producers. Cocktails include a blood orange Negroni, with happy hour running from 3pm until 5pm. Barrio hosts a distinctly high-end community barbeque every Wednesday evening with a rotating menu of flame-fired meat and creative plant-based options. Guest chefs are invited along monthly.