Nourishing Habitat (previously Barrio Byron Bay) is set to become a new landmark, a visionary project by restaurateurs Utku Ayhan of Foxy Luu’s Byron Bay and Sefa Kitchen in Sydney, and Nicholas Degryse of Pure Hospitality Group in Sydney. Both bringing years of experience and a deep passion for hospitality, Utku and Nicholas have created a unique dining destination with three distinct venues under one roof, each opening one month apart, and all dedicated to local produce, community, and sustainability. The duo are working with interior designer and creative director Jason Grant to transform the space.
The first of the trio of restaurants to open is Commune Canteen, inspired by the home-cooked meals found in Mediterranean townships, Commune Canteen offers an ever-changing menu based on fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients. Guests can enjoy colourful salads, hot slow-cooked meals, hearty soups, and in-house baked breads. Embracing a canteen-style dining experience, Commune Canteen encourages guests to customise their meals using a fill-up tray system with 3 or 5 compartments, perfect for mixing and matching.
Commune Canteen is located in the Habitat precinct of Byron Bay’s Arts & Industry Estate.