If you want to really get to know a town, eat where the locals eat. Bringing this kind of convivial dining philosophy to Habitat in Byron Bay is the township’s newest eatery, Commune Canteen. Inspired by home-style Mediterranean morsels, Commune Canteen has transformed the space that was previously home to Barrio into a canteen-style casual diner that spills into Habitat’s leafy courtyard. The venue is the latest from restaurateurs Utku Ayhan (Foxy Luu’s and Sefa Kitchen) and Nicolas Degryse (Pure Hospitality Group), with executive chef Thomas Ahern at the helm.

Inspired by the home-cooked meals found in Mediterranean townships, the ever-changing menu embraces a canteen-style dining experience where guests can fill a tray with either three or five compartments. Among the rotating selections will be the likes of bone broths, breakfast ratatouille, baked shakshuka, crispy gnocchi with burnt butter and carrot-top pesto, lamb tagines with flatbread and Greek-style lemon chicken with sumac labna.

More than a place to eat, the vision for Commune Canteen is to turn the courtyard into a thriving hub of local produce, community and sustainability seasoned with art and music events, talks and collaborations with local creatives. There are also plans for communal lunches, featuring a long table in the Habitat courtyard laden with shared plates, fostering a sense of community and new friendships.

Commune Canteen operates from Monday to Saturday, 7:30 am to 3:00 pm.

Image credit: Jillian McHugh