Fleet Restaurant — Restaurant in Brunswick Heads

After two COVID cancelations we finally made it to this Brunswick Heads institution and it was worth the false starts and the several month wait.

The restaurant only seats 10 and with 2 wait staff, two chefs, and an expediter the staff to customer ratio is quite impressive.

There's a fine line between obsequiousness and attentive service and the staff here are always on the right side of the line. They are engaged when conversing and love to share the story of the food and wine that is served. From watching the drinks being constructed to the presentation of the food you are treated to a well choreographed piece of theatre where you are more than just observers.

The menu that greets you at your seats lists categories of food and lots of indredients. The hosts explain that the meal will be constructed from a selection of these depending on what the chef has sourced that day. If you have certain preferences or allergies or dislikes then they'll take note of these and vary the menu accordingly. We just said we'll have what the chef had planned.

The meal is served over multiple courses and are shared between, in our case, our party of two. The quantities on each plate are not huge but there are many of them.

While all were very good my favourites included the prawn legs with cobra sauce (named after the heat level not the reptile); the beef tongue that was lightly charred and served with wombok; prawn Kiev sanga; the Mahi Mahi Thermador; and the honeycomb dessert. To reiterate though: I'd have any of the courses again. The warm bread and cultured butter was also a highlight.

My wife opted for the wine pairing which consisted of some very interesting and well matched wines (plus a sake and a beer). The standouts were the Castagna Sauvignon, Combes Cab Franc, and the Amphibolite riesling.

I had one full strength drink: again based "gold fashioned" before switching to the soft stuff (a beet and Sancho drink that went well with the savory dishes).

The restaurant deserves the accolades it's received and the faultless service is an example of how it...

This place needs 6*

If you want a culinary experience then you should book this place!!

The whole experience is AMAZING!

Food & drinks: They have a beautiful wine list ensuring you get what you want! The team know their wines, so go ahead and tell what you think you like, or want. They let you try it! If you have no clue that’s fine too, they don’t make you feel dumb as some places do!

The food...honestly, just go and try it!! Words won’t do justice to what the chef creates! I promise you.

We did the “kitchen pick” and it was really really good! It’s such a cool experience to see a mixture of the most uncommon ingredients together. The staff asks you want you (don’t) want, so don’t be scared that you’ll get things you absolutely hate ;)

Interior: it has a minimalistic, yet beautiful Scandinavian look & feel. The open kitchen en long “bar” give the place a very cosy “you’re having dinner at a friend’s house” feeling.

You’re sitting next to each other, and that leads to nice conversations. It is not a pretentious, chique restaurant, but a sophisticated laid back place to celebrate an intimate birthday or anniversary celebration.

Staff: they know their menu and wine list inside out! These are professionals, and a team. The team of three are a streamlined machine. They make sure you get a lot of personal attention, but know when to let you be and give you your privacy.

Honestly, the experience comes with a price tag. I brought my partner to celebrate his birthday. I wouldn’t go just randomly. However, if you’re around Byron Bay and you are celebrating or want a very special evening, then indulge yourself...

My girlfriend took me here for my birthday. It was an unreal, intimate food and wine experience. Fleet feels like a home away from home, only your mother never cooked this good. Rob is a welcoming host with a surprising knowledge of mixology; try the tumeric margarita, white negroni, or tempt him to reach for a premium dark spirit. Josh's food is to die for. Everything is made to share, which'll make you eye off your neighbouring diner's dishes. And while you're there, be sure to dare Astrid to match a wine or two to the food. She has an excellent knowledge of local and foreign wine makers and her passion for some of the biodynamic growers is well-founded.

Locals and travellers alike will be welcomed to this warm, down-to-earth establishment. It was a refreshing five star experience that doesn't carry the pretentious tag that usually comes with it. If you're in the Byron area, it's only a short drive and is well worth it. Just make sure to...