A bustling cafe and one of the first that will take your fancy as you drive into Brunswick Heads, Old Maids maintains a milk-bar charm while serving our modern tastes. It’s the perfect pit stop for a mango macadamia smoothie or dine in to tuck into the extensive burger menu. Try the Fighting Fish burger with grilled fish, kimchi and avo, or the Fried Chook burger with Old Maids’ fried chicken, pickles and slaw. Whether it be a quick bite or a big burger, it’s a must on your way to the headland.
The Currumbin institution has opened its third cafe on the coast right on Brunswick Heads’ main Tweed Street, delighting both locals and out-of-towners with takeaway treats and acai bowls overflowing with wholesomeness. There are a few tables at the front to sip on your smoothie or Allpress coffee but, like the original, The Salt Mill’s eats are best taken away to devour on the beach or by the river.
After two successful residencies at Brunswick Heads’ fine-dining restaurant, Fleet, Roco Ramen has returned for a third time. The petite eatery is slinging hot bowls of delicious ramen that locals fell in love with during the 2020 lockdown, when Fleet team member Daiki Shigeta stepped up to serve takeaway ramen to the community. This time around will celebrate all of the fresh produce the Northern Rivers region has to offer, with Roco diners treated to a menu that will include signature ramen bowls and some small tasty snacks from the raw seafood bar, or yakitori cooked over the hibachi grill. But it’s the deep flavoured broth that will keep you coming back for another slurp.
A busy bakery is often a telltale sign of what a town is really like. Situated in a building that has housed a bakery for more than 70 years, the bustling Bruns Bakery is a great marker that Brunswick Heads is a popular place. The theatre-style open kitchen allows customers to see the pastries being made right in front of their eyes and dribbling tongues. Glass cabinets are stacked full of tarts with glistening fruit, fluffy meringues and soft-as-clouds croissants. Flaky pastry pies and sausage rolls are hot from the oven into locals’ hands. Enjoy a coffee and a chat while you watch the expert bakers work their magic.
The humble charcoal chicken shop is a family dinner go-to across the country. The Fleet team in Brunswick Heads is elevating the spinning chicken with its golden chooks and spectacular side dishes. Offering a range of salads, rolls and sides including potato and gravy, crinkle-cut chips and house-made sauces, a chook and chip box will have everything you need for a picnic by the river.
Serving from an unassuming old food truck, Natural Ice-cream Australia is an artisan of small batch, cultured ice-cream, known as Brunswick Heads’ best kept secret (until now). Naturally flavoured with local and indigenous produce, you’ll delight in bespoke flavours such as cultured lavender and honey, smoky paperbark, macadamia and banana miso, or pepper-berry meringue. No scoop is the same as the next, which is why the locals can never get enough.
This neighbourhood pizzeria sits proudly out front of The Sails Motel, with relaxed picnic tables adding to the retro vibe. With a stacked bar of natural wines, and local and Italian spirits, it’s the ideal place to unwind from the daily grind. Pizza is of the utmost importance here – tomatoes are specifically imported from Italy and the dough is made fresh daily, with toppings foraged from local farms. Classic margherita and pepperoni pizzas are crowd favourites, but the Twig and Tate on a garlic base is also a winner. With seasonal pasta and desserts, there’s something for everyone here.
At the heart of Brunswick Heads stands the red-brick Hotel Brunswick, inviting you into its beer garden shaded by red flower poinciana trees. Overlooking the river, this pub has old-school allure and a classic pub menu (with an injection of Japanese fusion) that the whole family will love. With an incredible line-up of live music and a kids yard to keep the little ones entertained, you can kick back and soak in the sunshine.
Despite what the name suggests, there’s nothing but good vibes at this Japanese bite bar. Walk under the thatched awning and be blown away by the top-notch food and service. From small plates of sashimi and wagyu skewers to larger dishes of tempura brussel sprouts and katsu pork, diners are spoilt for choice with the kitchen catering to all dietary preferences. The cocktail list is where the trouble is, with too many fun tipples to choose from. With cheeky names like Miso Horny for its miso caramel, Frangelico, vodka and espresso cocktail, you’re bound to have some fun at Trouble San.
If you’re looking for fresh and zesty after a day in the sun, try a Mexican fiesta at La Casita. Head into its garden dining area and “design your own margie” from the extensive tequila and mezcal list. With tostada de pescado a crowd favourite and house-made tortillas pressed on site for its mouth-watering taco menu, the sunny vibe can continue well into the night.
For homemade pasta approved by Nonna, head to local Lello’s. Sit out on the side verandah and drink in the small town hospitality, where the staff make you feel like family. It’s all about simple dishes done well – the classic flavours of fresh basil, tomato and mozzarella sing, salt-and-pepper calamari is lightly coated the traditional way and the tagliatelle lamb ragù will not disappoint. Lello’s is a glorious celebration of Italian food.
If you’re visiting Brunswick Heads for a couple of days, we suggest packing a picnic and whiling away an afternoon by the Brunswick River. Rather than lukewarm cheese and crushed crackers that are slightly worse for wear after the drive, Bottle & Hoop is here to deliver local and imported artisan cheeses, charcuterie and all of the extras. Located close to the centre of town, Bottle & Hoop offers quality small-batch goods with a story – think Barossa Valley goats milk camembert, perfect pet nats and pickled figs with caperberries.
If you do want to venture outside the headland and make a road trip out of it, head further south to Byron Bay where there are more great restaurants just waiting for you too.
Bruns Bakery image credit: Bruns Bakery Instagram
La Casita image credit: La Casita Facebook
Hotel Brunswick image credit: Hotel Brunswick website
Trouble San image credit: Trouble San Facebook
Lello’s Pasta Bar credit: Lello’s Pasta Bar website
