The Best Brunswick Heads Restaurants Worth The Drive
Eloise Luke
Contributor | Urban List
We've said it before, and we'll say it again—there’s just something about Brunswick Heads. It’s like the Byron Bay of old: slower, softer, with that same salty soul and a touch of magic you can’t quite name, but you’ll feel it the moment you arrive. The crystal-clear river, the breezy walk down to Torakina Beach—but if I’m being honest, it’s the food that has us coming back time and time again.
This sleepy coastal gem on Bundjalung country has quietly built one of the best culinary scenes in the region, punching well above its weight with everything from flame-licked Mexican to handmade ramen and Italian worth planning a road trip for.
So pack your swimmers, bring an appetite—these are Urban List's picks for the best restaurants in Brunswick Heads.
River
2/26 Mullumbimbi Street, Brunswick Heads
Image credit: River | Instagram
River is a local-minded, produce-driven restaurant celebrating everything the Northern Rivers does best. Led by multi-award-winning chef Michael Lee, the menu leans into seasonal, sustainable ingredients from nearby growers, shaped into creative, modern Australian dishes with serious flavour and style.
The space (brought to life by stylist Jason Grant) is relaxed, coastal and warm, while a rotating lineup of collaborations with local makers and winemakers keeps things fresh. With Brunswick local Harriet-Rose Johnson running the floor, the service is as thoughtful as the food.
Insider intel
- Go for the seasonal set menu to experience the full expression of River’s local-first ethos.
Saint Maries
26 Tweed Street, Brunswick Heads
Image Credit: Saint Maries | Instagram
Tucked below The Sails Motel & Pool Club, Saint Maries delights ‘Bruns’ with a curation of pizzas, wines and cocktails of epic proportions. It gives moody, speakeasy energy, but without the pretence.
Take it from me and never skip the stracciatella with crunchy chilli oil, tomatoes, and perfectly charred focaccia, before chowing down on some of the best pizza around. Wash the lot down with one of their ever-changing (and ever-delicious) cocktails, and you’ve had yourself a perfect meal.
Insider intel
- Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options come in full force as well, so all are welcome.
- Swing by for a very cheeky happy hour from 3pm to 5pm Monday to Friday, where you can score $18 pizzas, $7 wines and $15 margs and negronis.
Roco Ramen & Sake
2/16 The Terrace, Brunswick Heads NSW 2483
Image Credit: Roco Ramen & Sake | Instagram
Brunswick Heads might be known for its beaches, but Roco Ramen & Sake is making a serious case for slurping instead of surfing. Tucked away just off the main drag, this intimate ramen and sake bar is serving up some of the best bowls in the entire Byron Shire.
We’re talking hand-pulled noodles, rich (but not too rich) broths, silky soft chashu pork and perfectly jammy eggs. There’s even a gluten-free noodle option that’ll make you do a double-take. Roco is a low-key knockout and an absolute must for your next Bruns night out.
Insider intel
- Start with one of their tasty small plates, like the local squid with brown butter, and do not leave without trying the ramen.
Old Maids
30 Tweed Street, Brunswick Heads
Image Credit: Old Maids | Instagram
Old Maids sits proudly on Brunswick Heads’ main drag alongside a full lineup of retro accommodation, making it the perfect vacay pit stop any time between 6:30am and 3pm, 7 days a week, or right up until 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays. As the name might suggest, this joint is old-school in nature, but definitely new school in flavour.
Think breakfast favourites like poached eggs with avocado and salsa verde on sourdough, through to a brimming burger menu with subsections that cater to everyone—beef, chicken, fish, and vegetarian/vegan, as well as gluten-free options.
Insider intel
- Come for tasty breakfasts and top-tier coffee, stay for all-day burgers.
Trouble San
12 The Terrace, Brunswick Heads
Image Credit: Trouble San | Instagram
Perched by the river with dreamy views, Trouble San serves up bold Japanese flavours and some of Brunswick Heads’ cheekiest cocktails.
From classic beef tataki and crispy takoyaki to inventive plates like Ryukyu pork with barbecued pineapple and pistachio mayo, every bite is a vibe. Whether you’re grazing or going all in, Trouble San delivers a delicious twist on the traditional.
Insider intel
- Start with their spicy yuzu margy—jalapeño-infused tequila, yuzu sake, lime and agave—then dive into a menu made for sharing.
Yami
2/1 Park Street, Brunswick Heads
An institution in every sense, Yami is the spot for vegan and vegetarian Middle Eastern eats in Bruns—and just thinking about their falafels is enough to get you drooling.
Their pillowy-soft pita is the real MVP, loaded with saucy, flavour-packed fillings that’ll erase any memory of a dry falafel you’ve ever had. It’s wholesome, hearty, and wildly delicious—don’t be surprised if you start planning your day around it.
Insider intel
- Open daily until 3pm, it’s more of a daytime affair, perfect for a long lunch in the sun or a quick refuel between swims.
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La Casita
5/3 Fawcett Street, Brunswick Heads
Image Credit: La Casita | Instagram
It’s almost impossible to walk past La Casita’s blush-pink façade without being lured inside, and why would you resist? This coastal gem plates up the best Mexican food in Brunswick Heads, with warm, attentive service and margaritas that border on spiritual.
The menu is a dream: think raw fish tostadas, grilled jalapeños stuffed with pork sausage, and tacos piled with confit pork or slow-roasted lamb.
Insider intel
- Every tortilla is hand-pressed daily from organic masa, and every bite tastes like a mini-vacation. Hands down, a must-visit during your next Bruns sojourn.
Lello’s Pasta Bar
3 Park Street, Brunswick Heads
Image Credit: Lello's Pasta Bar | Instagram
Nestled in the heart of Brunswick Heads, Lello’s Pasta Bar is a classy, contemporary Italian spot dishing up hand-crafted pasta, refined antipasti and coastal charm in equal measure. The menu is a celebration of Mediterranean flavours—think caserecce pork ragù, squid ink tagliolini with blue swimmer crab, and gnocchi sorrentina baked with stracciatella.
It’s the kind of place where garlic bread gets elevated, the cocktails are shaken just right, and the wine list could rival a Roman cellar.
Insider intel
- Warm, elegant and unpretentious, Lello’s is perfect for everything from date night to a leisurely long lunch.
Sticky Fingers Pizzeria
26 Mullumbimbi St, Brunswick Heads NSW 2483
Sticky Fingers is everything you want from a local pizza joint: casual, creative, and dangerously crave-worthy. Located in the heart of Brunswick Heads, this spot slings both classic and gourmet pizzas—think chicken and mango, smoky pepperoni, and all the trimmings (plus vegan cheese and gluten-free bases that actually taste good).
Whether you're grabbing a takeaway to devour by the river or settling into their quaint outdoor space, this place always hits the spot. Add this one to your regular rotation—you’ll be dreaming of that perfectly crispy base long after your last slice.
Insider intel
- There’s a great drinks list (BYO wine too, corkage is a fiver), and service is always friendly and fast.
Hotel Brunswick
4 Mullumbimbi Street, Brunswick Heads
Image Credit: Hotel Brunswick | Instagram
A Brunswick Heads institution since the 1940s, Hotel Brunswick has levelled up thanks to a culinary collab with the team behind Three Blue Ducks. The result? A seasonal, produce-driven menu that gives classic pub fare a fresh Northern Rivers twist—think prawn toast with nam jim, Australian bay lobster rolls, and the ultimate chicken parmy.
With live music, an expanded wine list, and a trio of margaritas, this is the modern Bruns pub experience you’ve been waiting for.
Insider intel
- The pizza oven is also firing up loaded flatbreads perfect for long afternoons in the leafy beer garden.
Pink Lotus
16 The Terrace, Brunswick Heads NSW 2483
Pink Lotus is a welcoming eatery that dishes up recipes passed down through generations, lovingly made with local produce and home-style soul. It’s the kind of place where you come for one meal and end up returning night after night, and once you try it, you’ll understand why.
You’ll find comfort and clarity in every bite—whether it’s a tangy noodle salad with barramundi karaage, their signature yellow curry, or the moreish banh mi. Vegetarians, meat lovers and spice chasers are all catered for.
Insider intel
- Do bear in mind that they close between 7pm and 7:30pm, so make this your lunchtime feast or your first stop of the night.
- Oh, and whatever you do, don’t skip the frozen slushy—it's the perfect cooldown after a sun-drenched day in Bruns.
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