The Byron Bay Surf Festival (BBSF) kicks off this Thursday 15th August 2024 and runs through to Sunday 18th August with a packed schedule of events celebrating the culture of surfing. Every surfer has a post-surf meal that they swear by – here are 5 of the best in the area.

1. Burger

Is there anything better after a surf than a tasty burger and a cold beer? Head to Main Street Burger Bar for an epic burger with a choice of 100% grass fed beef burgers, chicken burgers, vegan and vegetarian burgers. Main Street also has local beer Stone & Wood on tap so you can get a cold beer with your burger. I also highly recommend a trip to Pulp Burger – they are serving up some of the best burgers around – soft buns, tasty fillings and just the right amount of condiments.

2. Acai Bowl

If you want a super delicious post surf meal that is also super healthy, you will want to go for an acai bowl and Byron Bay has arguably the best acai bowls in the country. Acai is a small, dark purple berry that grows in the Amazon rainforest and is packed with antioxidants, fiber and healthy fats. Acai bowls typically contain a base of frozen acai berries, banana and other fruits like blueberries and mango which is blended until it is smooth and creamy. This base is topped with healthy toppings like granola, nuts, seeds, fresh fruit, nut butter, cacao nibs and coconut flakes, making it a superfood powerhouse. For the best acai bowls around try The Byron Bay General Store, Combi and The Hum.

3. Eggs

Packed with nutrients and minerals, egg dishes are perfect to satisfy your post surf hunger. Smashed peas with poached eggs at Espressohead is incredible, as is the green scrambled eggs at Otherside – both are healthy, herby deliciousness on excellent quality sourdough. If you are surfing Lennox Head’s famous point, head to local favorite Goanna – their shakshuka (spiced tomato sauce with baked eggs) is epic.

4. Pancakes

Savoury or sweet, pancakes are an epic post surf meal. Folk makes the most incredible organic oat and buckwheat hotcakes with rosewater labne – delicious and healthy! Harvest has just launched their new breakfast menu and has Ricotta hotcakes with orange custard and local macadamias.

5. Fish & Chips

Battered, crumbed or grilled, nothing fixes food cravings at the beach quite like classic fish and chips. My pick is always beer battered fish with crispy chips and tangy tartare sauce, and Byron Bay has some epic options. Located right on the Main Beach foreshore, Fishheads serves an epic Stone and Wood beer battered fish and chips which you can eat in their restaurant or takeaway and eat on the beach. Byron Bay’s iconic Beach Hotel across the road from Main Beach has a super tasty Esker Pacific Ale battered fish and chips. Beer battered local snapper with fries in the lush beer garden at North Byron Hotel is also really good.

While you are in town to check out the surf festival, be sure to pay a visit to Byron Bay surf mecca McTavish Surf Shop. Founded by Aussie surf legend Bob McTavish, it is still privately owned by an independent group of passionate Aussie surfers including Bob and son Ben McTavish. McTavish is hosting events throughout the surf festival, including the BBSF Art Show at McTavish HQ on Friday 5pm – 8pm and the McTavish Trim at Wategos on Sunday. As well as the best surfboards and surf apparel, McTavish HQ in the industrial estate plays host to some epic food trucks every week – see the schedule below.

Monday and Tuesday 9am – 3pm: @yaman_byronbay
Wednesday 9am – 2pm: @lapiadinabyronbay
Thursday 11am – 2pm: @samburgeraustralia
Friday 10am – 2pm: @ambrunah.spanish.foods

Cat Jones aka @byron.bay.eats
After many years of incredible gastronomic experiences across the globe, Cat has returned to the region. Inspired by the excellent produce, local products and restaurants in the area, Cat started Byron Bay Eats in 2020, capturing the essence of Byron’s unique culture to become the leading food voice in the region.