ARE YOU NEW AROUND HERE?

Hunting fresh flavours? A new date-night darling? A cheeky snack stop worth the detour? Autumn has delivered the goods. From Byron to Southport, these shiny new openings are serving serious main-character energy. Book it, bite it, sip it — your 2026 hit list starts here.

River – Brunswick Heads

Six months in and already sporting a shiny 13-point Chef Hat, River is officially Brunswick Heads’ overachiever — and we are here for it. The only hatted venue in Bruns and one of just eight across the Byron Shire, this refined yet relaxed newcomer is rewriting the local dining story before it’s even blown out its first birthday candle.

Guided by the ethos Wild at Heart · Local by Nature, River moves with the seasons, championing Northern Rivers producers and whatever is peaking right now. The menu shifts with the land and sea, delivering beautifully composed plates that feel polished but never showy. Think seasonal, local, organic produce handled with minimal intervention and maximal flavour.

If there’s a must-order? The Australian Bay lobster, finished with smoked garlic and lobster coral butter, parsley and lemon, paired with a thoughtfully curated local wine, hits all the right notes.

Fine dining without the fuss. Elevated without the ego. Book ahead — this one’s only getting hotter. River is not here to play.

@riverrestaurantbruns

Butterboy – Byron Bay

Now that dinner’s sorted, let’s talk dessert. Sydney’s cult cookie kings have officially landed in Byron and the Jonson Street queue says it all. Butterboy is slinging chunky NYC-style cookies, creamy soft serve and their famous cookie milk — yes, milk infused with actual cookie crumbs and pure joy.

Classics like double choc and salted caramel macadamia sit alongside Byron-exclusive flavour drops (fairy bread, anyone?). Warm cookie + soft serve swirl = elite combo. It’s playful, nostalgic and dangerously good. Dessert just became the main event.

@butterboybake

Sayu – Murwillumbah

Murwillumbah just got a serious upgrade. Sayu is bringing Japanese flavours with a fun, funky twist — think high ceilings, industrial vibes, intimate lighting, and little design surprises everywhere you look.

Award-winning chef and owner Geoff Anstee is all about precision and creativity, serving everything from crispy gyoza (yes, you need a cold Sapporo with that) to melt-in-your-mouth tuna sashimi paired with a zesty mojito. Open Tuesday to Saturday evenings, happy hour runs Thursday through Saturday, giving you all the reasons to book a table and linger. Sayu is exactly the spot Murwillumbah didn’t know it was waiting for.

@sayu_japanese_restaurant

Day Shift – Kingscliff

Coffee by day, cocktails by night — and honestly, it just makes sense. Day Shift has landed in Kingscliff, sharing digs with local fave Pot & Pint and bringing serious cold brew credentials to the coast.

Run by mother-and-son duo Kel and Luca, this brand-new cafe is pouring kegged cold brew through beer taps (yes, really), finished with house-made foams in flavours like coconut, cinnamon and chocolate. The salted caramel cold brew is already a standout, while the Vietnamese-style coconut version brings a tropical twist.

With vegan options, coffee-free sips and kid-friendly drinks, Day Shift is your new excuse for a Kingscliff day trip.

@dayshift.kingscliff

SALT & STONE – FINGAL HEAD

Sheoak Shack has entered its glow-up era. Salt & Stone is Fingal’s breezy new all-day beauty — part cafe, part bar, part gallery, part livemusic hang. Basically, a vibe.

From sunrise coffees to lazy lunches and cruisy dinners, it’s all big views and bold flavours. Fresh local seafood, juicy burgers, crisp salads and clever share plates meet a thoughtful wine list and weekend tunes. It’s relaxed, it’s scenic, it’s exactly where you want to be when the group chat says “Where to?”

@salt_stone_fingal

Our Tribe Cafe– Kirra

Pretty in pink and steps from the sand, Our Tribe Cafe is Kirra’s new coastal cutie. Open from 6am daily, it’s already winning the morning crowd with crave-worthy plates and coffee too good to share (supplied by Seven Miles Coffee).

Run by husband-and-wife duo Jamie-Leigh and Chris Wilkinson — with their four kids in tow — this is a full family affair. Think rosti bennys, popcorn chicken, mystic mushrooms with smashed avo and all the brunch hits done right. Grab a seat, settle in — welcome to the tribe.

@ourtribecafe

Padre Brewing Co – Miami

Miami’s craft scene just got louder (in the best way). Padre Brewing Co has opened a 160-seat brewery built on two decades of friendship — and a shared love of very good beer.

Fourteen brews are pouring onsite, from easy lagers to bold IPAs and rotating specials. The hazy IPA is already a standout, especially alongside brisket burgers and crispy wings that understand the assignment. Takeaway a four-pack or settle in for a session — either way, Padre feels like a future local. Fresh beer. Good food. Zero pretence.

@padre.beer

Kuroki Teppanyaki – Sanctuary Cove

Dinner and a show? Say less. Kuroki Teppanyaki has arrived at Sanctuary Cove with serious sizzle. Sleek, moody interiors set the tone while chefs bring the theatre — sharp knives, high flames, zero gimmicks.

On the grill: marbled wagyu, sweet local prawns and caramelised veg cooked to smoky perfection. The wagyu teppan is already a crowd favourite, best paired with a crisp Japanese beer or sake flight. It’s polished, a little indulgent and perfect for celebrations (or a midweek flex). Sanctuary Cove just got hotter.

@kuroki.teppanyaki