Colourful people, stunning beaches and some of the best coffee in the world: Byron Bay’s cafes are a big part of what makes our town such a holiday hotspot.
Search for the ‘best cafes near me’ while wandering down Main Beach, Clarkes or Wategos and you’ll reveal a stellar list of options for grabbing a top-notch flat white, espresso or cold-press coffee.
But there’s more: Byron’s cafes also boast some of the best menus in Australia, often filled with organic and locally-sourced produce and always served in style. It’s one reason why the locals love these cafes too. And why the good ones are always packed.
Make your next coffee in Byron one worth savouring.
1. Sparrow
1B Byron St, Byron Bay
Coffee served: Allpress Coffee
This friendly vibrant café, tucked right in the middle of Byron, is something of a local secret. Sparrow serves up Allpress Coffee alongside cold drinks including fresh juices and coconut water. And it’s always buzzing with lively chatter – not least from its friendly staff. If you are looking for coffee on the fly, Sparrow is your place.
2. Folk Byron Bay
399 Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay
Coffee served: Dukes Coffee Roasters
How about a local coffee shop that’s featured in Vogue but located in a holiday park? Head towards The Farm and, on the way, discover Folk: a great Byron cafe serving ethical, organic and seasonal produce. It’s simple and delicious menu includes cold-pressed juices, flower-garnished smoothies and all the hot, cold and iced coffee options you could possibly want. Be warned: it’s very easy to spend a whole day lounging on a blanket or sinking into a comfy chair in this coffee-lovers haven!
3. Bayleaf Cafe
2 Marvell Street, Byron Bay
Coffee served: Blackboard Coffee
This local cafe’s inventive menu offers beautifully-presented, fresh, organic food ready to tempt any appetite. Its tables are normally packed both indoors and outside, but locals and tourists agree that it’s always worth the wait. Bayleaf takeaway counter offers quick and healthy takeaway options including colourful salads and artisan breads, right in the heart of Byron. Bayleaf’s inventive spirit extends to its coffees too. Try the Coconut Cold Brew, served with the cafe’s trademark dried flower petals or select a classic from their full coffee menu with Blackboard Coffee roasted specifically for Bayleaf.
4. Allpress
5A/11 Banksia Drive, Byron Bay
Coffee served: Allpress
Allpress has made a name for itself for its sustainably sourced coffee – perfectly blended and uniquely hot air roasted. Roasting in locations in Australia, New Zealand, Tokyo and London.
Located on Banksia Drive, Allpress likes to think of its space as an integrated home for customers and coffee drinkers. There is a sense of being part of the action.
Once you fall in love with the taste, Allpress offers a select range of blends like Carmelo and Organic and all the equipment to make specialty coffee at home.
5. The Top Shop
65 Carlyle Street, Byron Bay
Coffee served: Single O
The Top Shop serves up its coffee in a 1950’s milk bar style cafe. With a fun atmosphere taken care of and a food menu to fuel the day, it’s still the coffee that makes us get out of bed and go on the hunt.
The beauty of this coffee is in the detail taken in every step of its creation: sourcing, sampling, cupping, roasting, measuring, calibrating, tweaking, blending and tasting. An eight-minute stroll from Clarkes Beach, Top Shop is a great spot to pick up a coffee on the way back to Elements of Byron.
6. The Roadhouse
6/142 Bangalow Road, Byron Bay
Coffee served: Allpress
Food and coffee combine with absolute grace in one of Byron Bay’s primary foodie destinations. You may feel like you’ve walked into one of the Bay’s coolest bars but The Roadhouse is actually a whole-food eatery with a menu reflecting the best of what’s in-season and on-trend. The need to queue for a table just gives visitors more time to browse the full list of coffees and cocktails on offer, alongside the Instagram-ready breakfasts, brunches and lunches. Yes, we did say coffee and cocktails. And yes, both come highly recommended.
7. Byron Bay General Store
26 Bangalow Road, Byron Bay
This coffee stop is a little bit of Byron history. Housed in one of Byron Shire’s oldest commercial buildings, Byron Bay General Store has been a meeting place for coffee-loving locals for 70 years.
Over the years the space has been renovated multiple times, the menus have been renewed and your cuppa is served with a passion for sustainable, delicious and robust flavours.
Want more inspiration for things to do in Byron Bay? Check out our Ultimate Guide to Byron Bay.