Within walking distance of Byron Bay’s famous Main Beach, Mercato on Byron has forged out a reputation for itself within the community as one of the best places to visit for a choice of excellent quality dining options from a casual feed to an a la carte experience throughout the day.

A truly progressive urban marketplace, Mercato on Byron is anchored by a full-line supermarket and specialty retailers, but features much, much more. Shoppers and visitors can visit the Cosmic Collection to view an exquisite crystal collection on display and for sale in a gallery setting. Or perhaps you would rather catch the latest release at Palace Cinemas, complete with luxurious seating and carefully curated wine and beer lists.But for many, the true allure of Mercato on Byron, is the food options.

THE ITALIAN BYRON BAY – Dinner

The Italian Byron Bay offers a fine dining experience in a relaxed and contemporary setting. And while most people come for the food, many come back for the cocktails including a Limoncello Spritz, Negroni, the Passionfruit Sour, an Espresso Martini or the delicious Affogato.

Offering an a la carte menu or two or three course group menus, the food selection is simply exquisite including the kingfish for a lighter meal option or the decadent pork belly or oysters and braised beef.

Of course the traditional options are also on offer from antipasto to pastas and pizzas.

The Italian Byron Bay is open each evening between 5.30 and 11.00pm.

BEEF+BEACH – lunch and dinner

The beef+beach  offers a range of modern dining options ranging from single to shared grazing plates, a full a la carte menu and a beer and wine list with a heavy emphasis on Australian-sourced beverages and produce.

The focus on serving locally-sourced produce is carried through to the dining options which specialises in seafood and steak meals.

Inspired by classic New York steakhouses of the 1950s, the beef+beach is open daily from 11am until 10pm serving. It is also available for functions including weddings.

Additionally, for those who want to enjoy the tastes of beef+beach but perhaps elsewhere, the beef+beach hummer can be hired for four hours where you can order from the menu or share a platter while drinking cocktails at a location of your choice.

The beef+beach is open seven days a week between 11am and 10pm.

BAY SUSHI – lunch and snacks

The ideal place to stop for a relaxing restaurant meal or to pick up a bento box or sushi roll to go, Bay Sushi is one of the casual dining venues open throughout the day at Mercato on Byron.

With a commitment to showcase the beautiful produce of the Byron and Northern Rivers region, Bay Sushi’s staff are passionate about delivering the true range of flavours available in Japanese cuisine.

Bay Sushi is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.

OTTO KEBABS – breakfast, lunch, dinner, late-night meals

The team at Otto Kebabs believe the key to the greatest tasting kebabs – whether it be for breakfast, lunch, dinner or even a late-night snack – is fresh ingredients, thin wraps and low-fat meat which doesn’t leave you feeling heavy.

Otto Kebabs is owned and operated by a Turkish family which has lived in Byron Bay for most of the last decade, and have successfully run the iconic Zaza Kebabs in the heart of Byron for the last eight years.

Offering the same menu, Otto Kebabs serves food made fresh daily from traditional kebabs to Turkish Gozleme, Falafels and vegetarian options.

Otto Kebabs is open Monday to Sunday from 8am to 3am.

EL CAMINO CANTINA – lunch and dinner

Proudly boasting it is a “large and loud Tex-Mex restaurant and bar filled with massive margaritas”, El Camino Cantina features a festive feel and promotes passionate enjoyment of food and beverages.

Perfect for drinks, lunch, dinner, parties and group events, El Camino Cantina has became famous in Byron for its ridiculously good value specials including $2 Taco Tuesdays, 10 Cent Wings Wednesdays, Half-price Fajita Thursdays and a weekday lunch special of burrito and beer for $15.

El Camino Cantina also offers a $19 Weekend Brunch and a $7.50 Weekday Happy Hour. The venue is open each day from 12pm closing late.

RAW ESPRESSO BAR – breakfast and lunch

A casual cafe, open from early each morning, Raw Espresso Cafe offers a wide array of quality coffees, mouth-watering smoothies and juices and delicious food options.

Operated by the owner who has 15 years in hospitality, Raw Espresso Bar is a coffee-lovers dream and the perfect place to grab a quick snack or wholesome breakfast or lunch.

Raw Espresso Bar is open Monday to Saturday from 7am closing at 5pm, and on Sundays between 8am and 3pm.

Mercato on Byron, which was awarded the Green Building Council Australia Five Star Green Star Retail Centre Design in 2018 for its low carbon footprint, has plenty of undercover parking including eight electric car spaces and a car wash. The site is monitored by security daily between 7pm and 6am.