Lobby Lounge At The Bonobo

It's no secret that Raes has long set the benchmark for luxury stays in Byron Bay. Now, with the arrival of The Bonobo by Raes in the heart of town, the hospitality group is taking that same approach beyond Wategos—and at the centre of it all sits Lobby Lounge, an all-day dining destination designed to become a tried and true locals' haunt.

Rather than separating breakfast, lunch and dinner into distinct experiences, the menu is designed to be happily ordered at any hour. It's the work of Raes Dining Room executive chef Jason Saxby and Bonobo head chef Callum Gray, who looked to iconic hotel bars and diners around the world while keeping local Northern Rivers produce front and centre.

The morning offering covers the essentials, from Brookfarm granola with Byron Bay coconut yoghurt to avocado toast with fresh curds and confit tomatoes, alongside the Bonobo Roll, filled with crispy bacon, fried egg and house-made HP sauce. If breakfast cocktails are more your speed, there's a Davidson plum French 75 or an umami-driven Bloody Mary finished with tomato water and fino sherry.

Later in the day, book in for Yellowfin tuna crudo and roasted figs with macadamia cheese, alongside a club sandwich packed with crumbed chicken terrine and bacon jam and pork cotoletta finished in brown butter. Desserts continue the balance of familiarity and finesse, from ricotta zeppole to yuzu cannoli and a tiramisu layered with Brookie's macadamia liqueur.

And while the food offering has been crafted with care, the drinks list is obviously the main event,. Wines span Australia, New Zealand and Europe, while the house martinis offer two very different personalities—one bright and saline with oyster shell gin, the other savoury with olive brine, fennel oil and paprika.

Interiors by Manifold avoid the polished minimalism many hotel venues lean on. Timber, stone, textured plaster and woven finishes soften the room, while sculptural lighting and generously upholstered seating ready for quick coffees, working lunches or a late-night drink. With room for 100 guests across the dining room, terrace and courtyard, Lobby Lounge has all the ingredients to become a regular stop, regardless of whether you've booked a room upstairs.

Image credit: Lewis Stevenson, Sean Fennessey, Madeline Johnson | Supplied