River – Wild at Heart is a season-driven restaurant with a bold, creative spirit and a deep respect for the region’s produce. Guided by the ethos “Wild at Heart, Local by Nature,” River champions Northern Rivers ingredients with flavour-forward, ingredient-led dishes that invite sharing and storytelling.

At the heart of River is multi-award-winning Scottish chef Michael Lee. Michael has shaped some of Northern NSW’s most celebrated kitchens and brings his creative, sustainability-focused approach to every plate. His cooking blends modern Australian sensibilities with dynamic flavour combinations and minimal intervention, letting great produce shine.

River also thrives on collaboration. A dynamic calendar of pop-ups, guest chef takeovers, winemaker dinners and long-table events brings together local producers, artists and culinary talents. These one-off experiences reflect the region’s wild energy and generous heart.