Now let’s clear something up from the very beginning – a minnow is a small freshwater or saltwater fish that is often kept in aquariums. Starting to make a bit more sense now? With the building’s history in mind, its new owner Lauren McNamara and her family decided that the cafe should pay homage to the old aquarium, while at the same time appealing to her quirky sense of humour. The name Let Minnow Cafe was thought of, and from there the fishy puns began (which are unashamedly embraced throughout the cafe). Let Minnow is sun-filled and airy, with bursts of brightly coloured finishes and recycled-timber details. The aquatic theme is trickled through Let Minnow with clever design by Rhys Ferguson, from the custom canary-yellow minnow-print wallpaper to the tabletop terrariums with fake fish and the staff shirts branded with ‘Just for the halibut’ and ‘New squid on the block’.

While you will find sardines on Let Minnow’s seasonal menu, the food options extend much further than those of the pescatarian variety. Breakfast options range from The Breakfast Charcuterie of a soft-boiled egg, smoked salmon, baked leg ham, cheddar cheese, cream cheese and capers, pickles, squashed avo and assorted bread, to The Sweet Tooth – wholemeal waffle, house cinnamon ice-cream, seasonal fruit and maple syrup. Oh, and you can ‘let minnow’ if you want to add sides. For lunch you can select from sandwiches in the cabinet, or opt for banh mi, burgers, tacos and more. We are 100 percent ready to board anything called The Gravy Boat as well – a drool-worthy poutine-esque situation of rustic-cut potato chips, haloumi and jus. There are also plenty of options for those with dietary requirements, including gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan.

Let Minnow has a strong commitment to maintaining minimal food miles and supporting locals, with its fresh produce coming from Food Connect, herbs plucked from its backyard and honey harvested from the cafe’s on-site beehive (which is still managed by the old aquarium owner). Local producers are also featured on the menu, with coffee from Nat’s Coffee south of Byron Bay, tea from West End Tea Co., Buderim Ginger Beer and Devondale Milk part of the mix.

For opening hours and contact information, head to our Stumble Guide.