Cicchetti

I read about this place in a review so I thought it would be a good choice for dinner. This placed is packed on Friday and Saturday so make reservations. It’s laid back Italian and you can get big boisterous tables eating family style or simpler smaller tables either way this place is lively!
There is no spaghetti and meatballs, but you get more modern Italian/​Mediterranean dishes like rare kangaroo with tuna mayo or octopus with fried shoe string potatoes. I enjoyed most of my dishes but was only so so on the creamed broccoli with orecchiette.
The cocktails were phenomenal and more unique compared to other bars. The Italian wine selection included several by the glass that were affordable and I know that’s hard to come by in Australia.
The service is quite good and hospitable (the Italians really know how to make you feel welcome). The indoor/​outdoor seating was perfect for a little sophistication without being stuffy … after all this is Byron Bay.

If there are only two of you, leave now! This place was designed for bigger party (more money, i guess), not for couples. The nicer tables are all for four, couple tables are sidelined to stranger spaces.
We booked, n arrived early, but at that point our reserved table was already given to someone else (a party of 4). The waitress immediately apologized n got the maitre dhotel. He arrived n immediately said no such thing happened, we should just go n wait in the bar. Then we were allocated to the couple area… a long soft bench w four narrow tables. The chairs are so low that one person will be 2 inches taller on one side! The tables were also seated next to one HUGE party of two tables w very loud n happy guests. While we cramped on one side, there was so much space on the other end of the party table, n i just dont understand why not move the party table a bit further down.
We should have lefted at that point, but it was after 8 30 on a Sat, n we didnt know where else to go.
To be fair, the food was good, 4-​star. But seriously, i could hear a word my partner said across the table. Thd waitress didnt evdn bother to introduce the daily because she had been shouting all night long.
Couples? Just leave. Apparently this restaurant doesnt care for you.

This is probably the best Italian I’ve had in Australia — if not the world. The banquet is amazing.