Food News
Great southern snacks – five must-try spots to seek out in Northern New South Wales
Food & Drink

Great southern snacks – five must-try spots to seek out in Northern New South Wales

15 Nov 2018

While we're certainly spoilt on the Gold Coast when it comes to restaurants, cafes and bars, sometimes we like to jump in the car and spread the wings with a roadtrip south of the border. Sure, Byron Bay is a fail-safe option with loads of dining options on offer, but we thought we'd give you a taste of must-try northern New South Wales spots that are a little further inland. Here are five places worth putting on your radar for your next southern sojourn. more

Food News
Kirra welcomes pop-up restaurant Betty Wilson's Dining Room
Food & Drink

Kirra welcomes pop-up restaurant Betty Wilson’s Dining Room

15 Nov 2018

Local foodies looking for a unique culinary experience will want to snap up a seat at Betty Wilson's Dining Room, the coast's newest pop-up restaurant. Former QT Gold Coast chef Jason Atwal is behind the venture, which sees him take over popular Kirra cafe Zephyr Coffee and transform it into an exclusive 12-seat dining space by night. more

Food News
Treat your body like a temple at Burleigh's new health hub Nutrition Station
Food & Drink

Treat your body like a temple at Burleigh’s new health hub Nutrition Station

15 Nov 2018

Eating out or getting takeaway is generally pretty tough for those of us that are on the health train – it's a constant battle, and we'll be the first to admit that we often end up with something that doesn't exactly do wonders for our summer bod. If you're making an effort to be a bit more conscious about what you're eating, then you'll want to know about Burleigh's new health hub, Nutrition Station. more

Food News
Loft elevates Byron's casual-dining scene with snacks, share plates and sophisticated sips
Food & Drink

Loft elevates Byron’s casual-dining scene with snacks, share plates and sophisticated sips

08 Nov 2018

We know you don't need an excuse for a sneaky sojourn to Byron Bay, but here's one for you anyway. The terrace space on Jonson Street that was for a short time occupied by Asian eatery Ryce (it was the original Hog's Breath Cafe site, for those playing at home) has recently reopened as a breezy bar and eatery named Loft. Do you often get a hankering for charcuterie spreads and spritzes after a day at the beach? We do – and that's where Loft comes in. more

The Grocer
Fill up your fridge with fresh produce from The Farm at Nobbys
Food & Drink

Fill up your fridge with fresh produce from The Farm at Nobbys

08 Nov 2018

As much as we could easily (and happily) eat out for every meal, there are days and nights when we're forced to cook. While there is plenty to eat and drink in Nobby Beach, most of us would have overlooked the beachside hub if we were on hunt for fresh produce to take home. Well, friends, The Farm at Nobbys is here to fill the void – and your fridge. more

The Grocer
Minced
Food & Drink

The Weekend Series: five must-try meat-alternative products

08 Nov 2018

You’re seeing it in our cafes, bars and restaurants, and more and more on our grocery shelves – vegan-friendly and plant-based products are becoming a part of the norm. While many of us in The Weekend Edition office are still carnivorously inclined, we’re supportive of any environmentally sustainable and ethical change in our food industry. Meat-substitute products are becoming more prevalent as a part of home cooking, but which ones are the best? We’ve assembled a hit list of five meat alternatives that are well worth trying. more

The Grocer
A Melbourne company has just released the world’s first-ever cannabis gin
Food & Drink

A Melbourne company has just released the world’s first-ever cannabis gin

08 Nov 2018

There was a time in history when cannabis was written off pretty heavily – the plant was demonised, misrepresented and seemingly always associated with negative imagery. Thankfully, times have changed and public perception is slowly but surely shifting – people are beginning to come around to the many positive uses of the plant across food, medicine, textiles and more. The Cannabis Company is a Melbourne-based outfit that is leading this innovative charge towards change, having just released the world’s first-ever gin distilled using cannabis terpenes. more

cafe
Bam Bam owners unveil their new southern gem Cubby Bake House
Food & Drink

Bam Bam owners unveil their new southern gem Cubby Bake House

07 Nov 2018

Hot damn. It's finally here. The owners of much-loved Mermaid Beach pastry powerhouse Bam Bam have today (Wednesday November 7) officially opened their delicious new venture, Cubby Bake House in Chinderah. It's been a long time coming for the south-the-the-border waterfront cafe and bakery, but the giant oven is now firing, the coffees are pouring and there are dozens of French baguettes ready and waiting to be schmeared with excessive amounts of butter. more

Food News
Artisan baker The Bread Social expands to bring sophisticated cafe fare to the south
Food & Drink

Artisan baker The Bread Social expands to bring sophisticated cafe fare to the south

05 Nov 2018

Much-loved southern bakehouse The Bread Social, which first came to life at The Farm in Byron Bay before venturing north with a standalone space in Tweed Heads, has expanded beyond its glorious offering of pastries, savouries and fresh-baked bread. After taking over the space that neighbours its Bay Street digs, owners and bakers Sam Saulwick, Tom Scott and Paul Giddings have unveiled a new-look version of The Bread Social and its sophisticated food offering. more

The Grocer
In the spirit – Four Pillars releases its annual limited-edition Christmas Gin right on cue
Food & Drink

In the spirit – Four Pillars releases its annual limited-edition Christmas Gin right on cue

01 Nov 2018

The first weekend in November really cements the reality that we are officially at the pointy end of the year – it's all downhill from here. It's also the time of year when much-loved Australian distiller Four Pillars releases its annual Christmas gin, which goes on sale this Saturday November 3. Last year it sold out within weeks ... so consider this a friendly warning. more

The Grocer
Summer sips – Sunlight Liquor brings ancient sparkling mead into the 21st century
Food & Drink

Summer sips – Sunlight Liquor brings ancient sparkling mead into the 21st century

01 Nov 2018

Summer is just around the corner and it's getting rather balmy – and by balmy we mean it's already hitting 30-degrees celsius. We all know that the only way to really cool down is by sipping spritzes, ciders and other effervescent fruity concoctions. Though, we've uncovered another drinkable to put on your radar this summer – sparkling mead. It's an ancient beverage made from fermented honey, and it's being brought to life by South Australian company Sunlight Liquor. more

Bars
Three Blue Ducks spreads its wings in Byron Bay with new bar and eatery Locura
Food & Drink

Three Blue Ducks spreads its wings in Byron Bay with new bar and eatery Locura

25 Oct 2018

Sustainable and ethical hospitality icon Three Blue Ducks will this week open its fifth Australian venue and second in Byron Bay – a late-night eatery and bar named Locura, taking over the space of longstanding nightclub LaLaLand. The Latin American-inspired fixture, which officially opens on Friday October 26, comes off the back of the group's recent foray into Queensland, with the opening of a sophisticated 156-seat dining space at the W Brisbane earlier this year. more

The Grocer
Save the reef by cracking open a Great Barrier Beer
Food & Drink

Save the reef by cracking open a Great Barrier Beer

25 Oct 2018

It's truly a good day when you learn that you can help the environment by cracking open a beer. In a call to action for Australian beer drinkers, social enterprise The Good Beer Co. has launched Great Barrier Beer to help fund the Australian Marine Conservation Society’s work to protect the Great Barrier Reef from climate change and pollution. more