BITE ME
- Karen Kinnersly
- Aug 28
- 4 min read
From Byron to Burleigh and everywhere in between, the local food scene is dialling up the delicious. A new wave of openings are dishing up big flavour, bold ideas, and plenty of sunshine on the side — from beachfront Italian and modern Filipino brunches to fire-licked Latin fare and hand-pressed tortillas served with a twist.
These are places made for long lunches, spontaneous date nights and golden-hour cocktails — where the menus tell stories and the playlists are as considered as the plating. Whether you’re craving coastal calm or a full-blown fiesta, there’s something new (and seriously tasty) waiting just around the corner.
Ready to meet your next favourite bite? Here are five fresh arrivals already making waves — and our mouths water.
Roca, Byron Bay
Sultry, social, and a little bit spicy — Roca is shaking up Byron’s food scene with bold Latin American flair and a soundtrack to match. Set just behind Jonson Street, this lively newcomer brings serious fire, flavour, and soul to the table.
At the pass is Peruvian chef Diego Aguirre Vallenas, whose journey from Lima to New York and now Byron infuses every dish with authenticity and imagination. There’s fire and finesse on every plate: citrusy Nikkei tuna ceviche with maracuya ponzu and sweet potato crisps, crunchy Colombian pork belly with plantain chips and salsa criolla, charred corn with smoked aioli, and meats marinated in traditional Peruvian spices, grilled to smoky perfection.
Drinks are equally intentional — the pisco sour is faultless, and the cocktail list riffs on Latin flavours with seasonal twists. A short, well-curated wine list celebrates local and South American drops. Whether you’re sharing a table with friends or just coming in for a solo feast with a side of spice, Roca knows how to turn dinner into a celebration.
Vibe: Colour, charisma, and communal feasting
Must-try: Nikkei tuna ceviche + that flawless pisco sour
River, Brunswick Heads
If River feels deeply grounded, that’s by design. Set in the heart of Brunswick Heads, this pared-back but intentional space is the brainchild of chef Michael Lee and entrepreneur Sean Monaghan: both with serious food pedigree and a passion for community-first dining.
The philosophy? “Wild at Heart, Local by Nature.” And it shows. Every ingredient is treated with care, every dish rooted in what’s growing, foraged or fished nearby. You might find Australian Bay lobster with smoked garlic butter; local line-caught fish with lemon myrtle and fingerlime avgolemono; or ‘souk-style’ smoked organic cauliflower with macadamia za’atar and shawarma pickles. It’s unfussy, flavour-rich fare that lets ingredients shine. Minimal intervention, maximum taste.
With its timber interiors, thoughtful design and low-intervention wines, River is built for long, languid lunches and quiet conversation. It’s not flashy — just really delicious.
Vibe: Thoughtful, seasonal, wild at heart
Must-try: Australian Bay Lobster + the crisp Jilly Chardonnay
Rosefinas, Billinudgel
From humble burrito stall to full-blown fiesta, Rosefinas has brought big flavour and even bigger vibes to Billinudgel — and locals are here for it. Owners Rosa and Fin (yes, the name is a real-life love story) have created a vibrant, retro-tinged cantina that fuses Mexican spirit with Northern Rivers ease.
Step inside and it’s instant good vibes: terracotta walls, breezy alfresco tables, lush green booths and a playlist that bounces between Latin beats and surf rock. The bar is buzzing, the salsas are made daily, and the tortillas? Hand-pressed from heirloom corn.
The food is bold, soulful and rooted in tradition. Chef Rodrigo, raised in Mexico City’s restaurant scene, brings bold, authentic flavours to every dish — from fresh fish ceviche tostadas to slow-cooked birria beef, generously loaded tacos, and a rich, chocolatey mole made with 30 ingredients.
Build your own taco street-style, sip a jalapeño margarita, or dive into a share plate with mates. The drinks list keeps it tight and tasty: cold cervezas, smoky mezcal, spicy cocktails. DJs on Fridays, live music on weekends and whispers of backyard-style Sunday sessions promise a season of sunshine that never ends.
Vibe: Mexican holiday meets Northern Rivers kitsch
Must-try: Birria beef burrito + mango margarita
Dayo Cafe, Tweed Heads
If you’re after an instant mood-lift…
Bright, bold, and bursting with soul, Dayo Cafe is a vibrant new gem lighting up Tweed Heads’ brunch scene. Located riverside in the sunny spot once home to Baked at Ancora, Dayo is the passion project of husband-and-wife duo Johnny and Jerrika Ang, with sister-in-law Chef Kristyn Ang working culinary magic in the kitchen.
The menu is a colourful celebration of Filipino heritage, fresh local produce, and playful twists. Highlights include the spicy Longganisa scramble with house-made sausage and Laoganma chilli on sourdough, the fun and fabulous K-POP chicken waffle — crispy fried chicken, snowy cheese, spicy maple and tomato mascarpone — and the fan-fave strawberry-matcha French toast with matcha ice cream and white chocolate sauce.
More matcha? Yes, please. Try it iced, with strawberry, blueberry or peach mango. And don’t miss the ube latte — a Filipino purple yam classic that’s as pretty as it is delicious. It’s practically made for your Instagram feed.
The decor is joyful, the Ground Control coffee is strong, and the welcome is warm. “Dayo” might mean visitor in Tagalog — but by the time your drink arrives, you’ll feel right at home.
Vibe: Light-filled, heritage-rich, joyfully inventive
Must-try: Longganisa scramble + ube latte
@dayo.tweed
LiTO, Burleigh Heads
Part beach club, part Italian daydream, LiTO is the Gold Coast’s sun-drenched new crush. Tucked within the stylish new Mondrian Gold Coast on Burleigh’s beachfront, it’s a Mediterranean mood complete with coastal breezes, warm terracotta hues, and waitstaff who know their way around a spritz.
The vibe? Relaxed but refined. The interiors, dreamt up by Alexander &CO., channel Mediterranean la dolce vita with a Queensland twist, offering the perfect backdrop from espresso to aperitivo.
At the helm is Italian-born chef Andrea Morigi, fresh from Sydney favourites like Uccello and Jimmy’s Falafel. His menu sings with lightness and depth — lobster bucatini, wood-fired porchetta, and octopus carpaccio that tastes even better post-swim. Mornings kick off with espresso and coastal breakfast plates, from Sicilian poached eggs to crisp zucchini fritters stuffed with herb goat’s curd. Long lunches roll easily into aperitivo hour. And, whatever you do, don’t skip the tableside tiramisu — it’s a moment.
Vibe: Italian Riviera meets Gold Coast cool
Must-try: Southern rock lobster bucatini + QLD wildflower negroni
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