North Coast gems for fine food and cold ales
THE term ‘gastropub’ first materialised in the UK with the opening of a joint called The Eagle in London in 1991.
Partners Michael Belben and David Eyre took over The Eagle with the aim of doing good, simple food while maintaining its pub character.
In Australia the trending concept of the gastropub combines gastronomy with public house, where a pub seeks to offer more than bangers and mash, burgers, or the ever popular Aussie schnitty.
Gastropubs give chefs more freedom to introduce meals that emphasise highquality, seasonal ingredients like you would find in a fullservice restaurant with the added benefit of eating in a relaxed environment.
Here are six North Coast pubs that offer quality food, drink and atmosphere.
HOTEL BRUNSWICK BRUNSWICK HEADS
For the best fish and chips, you can’t beat Hotel Brunswick, or ‘the Bruns’ as this epochal pub is known.
With over 16 different beers on tap sourced locally, nationally and internationally, the Bruns is more than just your run-of-themill local.
Their beer garden legendary – and a gathering magnet for those who submit to the spell of classic pub meals, seasonal specials, and international dishes.
In the kitchen you will find the chef preparing a fine selection of the best and freshest seafood sourced locally, prepared with love and precision as sashimi by the Bruns’ skilled chef for the Hotel’s specialty Japanese menu.
Kickback in the spacious beer garden with pub classics and soak up your favourite beverage with the best live entertainment on the North Coast.
FEDERAL HOTEL ALSTONVILLE
Affectionately known to locals as ‘The Fed’ or ‘Feddy’, Alstonville’s iconic Federal Hotel has welcomed locals and tourists alike for more than 100 years.
More than a favourite watering-hole, The Fed is a local institution; a place where the community meets and friendships grow.
While the Hotel has undergone many refurbishments over the years, its original federation character is balanced alongside the essential features of a modern venue.
Head chef Andrew Sheppard said it’s all about good food.
“It’s a step above pub grub. A lot of classics are incorporated, bringing new ideas and fusions to the table,” Mr Sheppard said.
“I’ve been a chef for over 20 years working in clubs, pubs, fine dining - so I want to incorporate all that into an experience people will love.”
Publican Vincent Chee said the Federal Hotel is a place for all ages.
In its sprawling back beer garden with covered timber picnic tables and stage, the historic pub retains all its heritage ambience mixed with a contemporary food and drinks menu.
CROWN HOTEL GRAFTON
Overlooking the Clarence River, this historic watering hole offers all the classics of fish and chips, parmigiana, and schnitzel through to beef and salmon steaks, gnocchi sorrentino, and specialty pasta dishes.
Coupled with glorious views and a vast selection of wines, beers and spirits, the Crown Hotel in Grafton is treasured by locals and a must-do when you’re in town.
PACIFIC HOTEL YAMBA
Known as the ‘fountain on the mountain’, the Pacific Hotel in Yamba is more than your rockin’ regional pub.
Etched into the escarpment, the Pacific Hotel boasts 180 degree views of the Pacific Ocean.
Get started with buttermilk fried chicken pieces, or oysters kilpatrick – soak them up with a garlic cheese sourdough then get your laughing gear around some of their seafood specialties like black lip mussels and fresh fish of the day.
Accompanied with a wide selection of beers, spirits and wines, the ambience of the Pacific Hotel is a must for any bon vivant.
THE BANGALOW HOTEL BANGALOW
Set in the Byron hinterland, this well established country pub is the perfect look-in for that family vibe and good times you pine for from a trusty local.
Chill out on their sweeping verandas with some barbecue pork sliders or parmesan crusted calamari. Then get the party started with a serving of cajun spiced sweet potato, or their Mediterranean vegetable linguine.
If steak is more your thing, get stuck into their chargrilled scotch fillet.
Wash your palate with a selection of Aussie rieslings, champagnes, reds and rosés from the Barossa Valley or upscale it with a glass of rocco ventosa pinot grigio from tollo, Italy.
With pub classics, deserts and a kids’ menu, the Bangalow Hotel on the main street is the place to be.
NORTH BYRON HOTEL BYRON BAY
A stones’ throw from the crazy, heaving, delightful hub of town is the North Byron Hotel.
It has been dubbed the ‘thriving mecca of good food, great music, laughter and the Byron Bay chill-seeker vibe’.
Catering to vegetarians and meat-teasers alike, the North Byron Hotel is like visiting a foodie mate’s sanctuary.
You can share a host of seafood, wood-fired breads, and treats like the blackened sesame eggplant, Byron Bay stracciatellato calamari fritters.
Their mains steaks are pasture-fed beef with paris mash, chermoula, cress and fennel salad, or try a woodfired spring lamb rack with pearl couscous, locally picked herbs, spring peas, broad beans, tendrils, pepitas, labneh, and wild roquette.
Douse your palate with Australian or Italian wines, specialty craft beers or choose an in-house cocktail; ‘the beach bum’, ‘living for the weekend’, ‘Lilli Pilli smash’, ‘pash n dash’ or try their cocktail of the week.
“Our unique cocktails are made for the seasons of Byron Bay with local faves like Brookies Gin, XII Apostles Gin and Stone & Wood,” the Northern Byron bar staff say.
‘We have 32 tap beer options that represent the thirst and flavour of Byron Bay.”
Relax and enjoy on the deck or in the garden under the fairy lights.