Byron Bay, brace yourself for a culinary treat as the much-loved Bondi gem, Sefa Kitchen, prepares to open its doors in your coastal paradise from August this year.
With its reputation firmly rooted in the bustling streets of Sydney, this marks the third venture at Nourishing Habitat for restaurateurs Utku Ayhan and Nicolas Degryse. After the runaway successes of Commune Canteen and Gitana Spanish Wine Bar, Sefa Kitchen is set to add a delicious new layer to Byron Bay’s vibrant food scene.
Sefa Kitchen, a Bondi institution since 2013, is celebrated for its rustic yet refined take on Middle Eastern cuisine, drawing inspiration from the rich and diverse flavours of the Levantine and North African regions. This is a cuisine that has transcended borders for over 400 years, blending the ancient cooking traditions of culturally rich areas. With a focus on legumes, dairy, grains, spices, and seasonal produce, Sefa Kitchen brings this culinary heritage to life, offering a dining experience that is both exotic and familiar.
At the heart of Sefa Kitchen Byron Bay is its wood-fire oven and open-flame grill, where dishes are infused with unique, smoky flavours that only this style of cooking can impart. The menu is designed around generous share platters, inviting diners to wrap the delicious offerings in bread and enjoy them with their hands. While plates and cutlery are available, owners Utku and Nico encourage guests to embrace the mess and dive in with their hands, adding a fun, interactive element to the dining experience.
Diners can look forward to mouthwatering dishes such as Tooba bread adorned with saltbush za’atar and spiced butter; Organic Spring Bay mussels paired with whipped tarama, heirloom radishes, and baby herbs; and Jersey halloumi drizzled with local smoked bush honey, calendula, and pistachio. The menu’s crowning glory is a slow-roasted baharat lamb shoulder, perfectly complemented by cauliflower purée, sumac onions, and pomegranate. And for those with a sweet tooth, the saffron panna cotta with date molasses, Persian floss, and mandarin biscuit is a must-try.
No meal at Sefa Kitchen would be complete without sampling their creative cocktails. Sip on an Egyptian Hibiscus Spritz, featuring hibiscus tea, vodka, ginger, and prosecco, or the intriguing Musky Istanbul, a concoction of house-made limonata, mezcal, and mint.
Having won the hearts of Sydney’s food lovers, Sefa Kitchen is now inviting Byron Bay locals to indulge in the same rich, flavourful experience that has captivated diners for over a decade. This new opening promises to be a beacon of culinary excitement, strengthening Byron Bay’s reputation as a top destination for food enthusiasts. Get ready to welcome Sefa Kitchen to the neighbourhood and prepare for a feast that celebrates tradition, innovation, and the joy of sharing.