Nestled in Byron Bay, NSW, Commune Canteen (previously known as Barrio) is injecting the vibrant spirit of Mediterranean daytime eateries into the local scene.
This visionary project is the brainchild of restaurateurs Utku Ayhan of Foxy Luu’s Byron Bay and Sefa Kitchen in Sydney, alongside Nicolas Degryse of Pure Hospitality Group in Sydney. Their shared ambition is to transform the Habitat courtyard into a dynamic community hub that emphasises local produce, sustainability, and communal well-being. With an ever-changing menu inspired by homely Mediterranean meals, Commune Canteen ensures that fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients are always at the forefront of their culinary offerings.
Operating from Monday to Saturday, between 7:30 AM and 3 PM, Commune Canteen provides a delightful blend of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and community-focused dining experiences. The Mediterranean diet, celebrated for its numerous health benefits, is the cornerstone of the menu here. This diet incorporates a balanced selection of vegetables, easy-to-digest proteins, high-quality meats, healthy fats, nuts, fruits, and house-made pickles. Guests can savour colourful salads, hot slow-cooked meals, and freshly baked in-house breads, served counter-style in a relaxed and vibrant setting.
The menu is diverse and changes regularly to keep things exciting and fresh. Specialty dishes include Breakfast Ratatouille, Baked Shakshuka, Crispy Gnocchi with Burnt Butter and Carrot Top Pesto, Lamb Tagines with Flatbread, Greek Lemon Chicken with Sumac Labna, Duck Shanks with Spiced Orange, and Wood-fired Prawns with Preserved Lemon, Vine Leaf, and Burnt Butter. This variety ensures that visitors can always look forward to new and delightful culinary surprises.
Embracing a canteen-style dining experience, Commune Canteen offers a unique fill-up tray system with compartments, allowing guests to mix and match their meals. Communal lunches, featuring long tables in the Habitat courtyard with shared plates, help to foster a sense of community and encourage new friendships. Starting the day at Commune Canteen is also a treat, with the perfect cup of Beams coffee, teas from the social enterprise “Teagood,” house-made Bonny’s Jungle Chai, and the medicinal blend of Byron Bay’s Mason’s Mushrooms on offer.
A carefully selected range of local and Mediterranean wines will also be available to complement lunchtime meals. More than just a place to eat, Commune Canteen aims to be a crossroads where food, community, and sustainability intersect, making it a beloved spot for both locals and visitors. As the first of three venues to open at Nourishing Habitat, Commune Canteen promises to enrich the Byron Bay dining landscape with its innovative approach and heartfelt commitment to community and quality.
More information at the website
Full Address: 1 Porter St, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia