The details
Originally a protege of Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen program in London, Diner 55’s owner and head chef Adam James has Michelin-starred establishments on his resume, but it was in the humble northern New South Wales township of Mullumbimby (Mullum) that he decided to settle, re-sharpen his knives and create some simple and delicious magic. For the past four years, Adam and partner Lara Bauer owned and operated Mullum’s Punch & Daisy cafe, before they sold it and purchased the nearby longstanding Poinciana Cafe in late 2017. The Pionciana Cafe venue, located on Station Street, was given a facelift to transform into Diner 55 – a bar and casual diner-style restaurant where locals and foodies from afar (like us) can sip handcrafted cocktails and snack on indulgent American-style eats and bar snacks.
The food and drink
Diner 55’s all-day menu kicks off at 11:00 am (yes to burgers before midday) offering a mouthwatering spread of smaller plates, larger plates and moreish sides. Take some time to peruse the well-curated cocktail offering (a negroni is a good place to start) before choosing from snacks like a charred corn cob, blackened broccolini, slow-cooked lamb ribs and truffled mac n’ cheese. Can’t go past a burger? There’s a good spread on offer here, from the simple beef and cheddar, to the cajun-crusted fish burger with jalapenos, and a carnivore-fooling barbecue mushroom burger with apple slaw. Share (or don’t share) larger plates like the beef-brisket slab with soft onions or the crispy half chicken with chimichurri, and throw on a few sides like hand-cut fries, sauerkraut and pickles, or a crunchy green salad. You’ll also find a stellar selection of rotating craft beers, a tight list of boutique wines and, of course, milkshakes – it is a diner after all.
The space
Despite the facelift and transition from a cafe to 50-seat bar and eatery, the venue has retained its charm and personality. Set amongst the trees, the casual seating area leads into a diner-style bar complete with retro stools, white subway tiles and, of course, plenty of strategically placed ketchup and mustard bottles. There’s an open-air deck if you’re up for a milkshake and a burger in the sunshine, or perhaps a cocktail (or three) under the festoon lights by night.
Ready for a road trip? You’ll find all the important stuff like opening hours, location and contact details in our Stumble Guide.
Image credit: Alix McKenzie