It’s a magical time in Byron – the peak of summer is over, the water is sparkling and warm, and town has simmered down to a more pleasant level for locals.
Loft Byron Bay are encouraging the summer hibernators to emerge and enjoy town life again. Byron’s best restaurants are bookable, and are excited about seeing their local customers again after one of the busiest summers in years – be it for after-work drinks, an intimate date night or celebrating with friends over dinner and drinks, any excuse will do to get back into town.
Loft has, arguably, one of the best vantage points in town – sitting at the top end of town, opposite the Beach Hotel, high above the streets below. With views out to Main Beach, it’s the perfect spot to relish the beauty of approaching autumn in the Bay.
Relax on the Terrace, with the warm sea breezes on your back savouring the last of those precious long days. Drink in hand, and cheese boards aplenty.
If you haven’t checked out the dining menu at Loft, here are some of their tips for a great night of feasting…
It’s hard to go past starting things off with some oysters, choose between natural or a Loft seasonal dressing currently finished with a ‘watermelon rojo’ – a punchy, yet cool, summery dressing. From there, our favourite entree is the padron peppers, a small green Spanish pepper, fried and served with green hummus, sea salt and sesame seeds – just perfect to get the mouth watering, and an excellent drinking snack.
If you love seafood, Executive Chef Craig Mcfarland recommends the pippies – Craig uses only the very sweetest small pippies, usually from South Australia. They are delicately steamed and served in a cherry tomato, tequila and agave broth, a homage to his time spent in both Spain and Central America.
If you are looking to fend for yourself and leave the others to deliberate between dishes, the staff recommend the Loft Cheeseburger. It’s a cheeseburger with all the good things – local beef patty and bacon, sauerkraut, pickles and truffle mayo served on a super soft brioche style bun, and of course fries – they are mouth-watering and very hard to share.
If sharing mains, they recommend the Local Sirloin served on the bone, the Twice Cooked Pork Belly, or the Salt Baked Baby Sweet Potato.
There are some excellent options for vegetarians and vegans and the serving team are well-versed on dietary requirements.
All of this eating will leave you thirsty. Warm, summer days spent at the beach need evenings spent with a cocktail in hand, and Loft has some of the best. Signature cocktails shaken to perfection, or find your favourite classic with a twist. Customer favourites include the Pink Dragon (tequila, goji and dragon fruit), Watermelon Summertini (vodka, strawberry liqueur and watermelon) and the Brookies Spring Gimlet (brookies gin, elderflower, mint, basil and cucumber).
Loft has an excellent ‘Happy Hour’ with $14 margaritas, $12 Aperol Spritz and $6 house beer and wine. Every day 4pm–6pm.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
