I only had the opportunity for one breakfast in Byron, so it had to be the best. Thankfully, Bayleaf Café deserves its reputation as the best cafe in Byron Bay. I was left drooling over my lip smacking brekkie and wanting more.
It wasn't exactly a budget breakfast (there's a price to be paid for quality), but oh boy, it was worth every cent. Dukkah poached eggs with heirloom tomatoes, and buffalo mozzarella sent my taste buds into overdrive. So much so that table conversation was limited to
'oh', 'ahhh', 'mmm'. As I sliced open the poached eggs, bright yellow slivers slid down the tomatoes and toasted sourdough bread – yum! These eggs were poached to perfection.
To think that twenty minutes earlier I'd contemplated giving Bayleaf Café a miss because there was a wait for tables. Fortunately, the wait ended up being much shorter than expected, and I am so relieved because the thought of missing out on their dukkah poached eggs is most unpleasant. I hate queues, but it really was worth waiting for.
Even though brekkie was filling, once I spotted the mini tartlets in the glass window at the counter, I couldn't resist. Before I even realised what I was doing, I found myself standing in front of the counter ordering a little passionfruit mousse and meringue tartlet. It was divine, with a delicious crust and a good pile of yummy soft meringue. I'm a real fusspot with crusts and usually leave them. Not this one though, it was seriously buttery, toasty and scrumptious.
There are lots of other interesting and unique items on the menu, along with the usual brekkie choices, and I am keen for another Byron weekend to check them all out. Will definitely be going back for more tartlets too. Food made with love and attention to flavour and detail is not always easy to find, but this café has pulled out all stops to impress with flavour and originality.
Bayleaf Café is less than an hour from the Gold Coast (Coolangatta). Afterwards, you can burn off brekkie with a beautiful stroll along the beach and up to the lighthouse where whales can be spotted from approximately May - Nov. I personally spotted about ten a few days ago (early July).
Bayleaf Cafe is open for breakfast, brunch and lunch and serves up seasonal organic, local produce in an efficient and welcoming manner. Seating is available indoors or outdoors, and service was quick once seated, even on a busy morning. Don't miss it.
