The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co. — Restaurant in Byron Bay

My daughter lived in Byron for a few months and recommended the Balcony as one option locally,central location,very tastefully decorated,lovely spot and we had great anticipation for a delicious dinner,the half priced oysters caught our eye so we ordered a dozen at $36 says normally $72, as part of their Oyster Fest 2025,Ha! not cheap at all no bargain from the restaurant that had staff walking around in Oyster bar and Co T-shirts .We weren’t super hungry after a later than usual lunch so that seemed ideal,well we could have done better from Coles,frankly the oysters were very small and ordinary and hadn’t been properly removed from the shell for easy eating ,we downed those then decided to try the salt and pepper calamari,well theywas even more disappointing than the oysters,it seriously was like the chef had decided to serve us what was left in the frying basket,we ate it as it wasn’t cheap at $26 (as a share plate) it wasn’t a normal one person serving and I’ve had better at just about any pub in Australia.We dined at a seafood restaurant at Mooloolaba not that far up the coast and had delicious and beautifully fresh everything at pretty much half the price, for $60 per person we had plump coffin bay oysters and a huge and delicious platter of beautifully cooked seafood,including the best scallops perfectly cooked,so what we received at the Balcony left us feeling totally conned.Some of the staff were good,not all,seemed more interested in chatting ,no big deal just an observation,wouldn’t go back unless the Balcony lift their game substantially and stop assuming customers are mugs.Disappointed is an...

A Seafood Soirée to Forget at The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co.

If you’re in the mood for overpriced ambiance with a side of disappointment, The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co. in Byron Bay is the place to be. We ventured in with high hopes and empty stomachs but left with ringing ears, empty hearts, and lighter wallets.

We kicked off our culinary adventure with the ocean trout. Under-seasoned and poorly presented, it seemed the chef took the concept of “less is more” a bit too literally—especially with the seasoning. Perhaps they’re saving salt for a special occasion?

Then came the Ballina prawns. Ah, the pièce de résistance! Seasoned with… cayenne pepper. Not a single grain of salt dared to mingle with our crustacean companions. It’s bold to serve prawns that taste exclusively of cayenne ; some might call it avant-garde—we just call it terrible.

As if the culinary letdowns weren’t enough, the atmosphere was a cacophony of loud music that made it impossible to hear our own conversations. Adding to the symphony of noise were several exuberant hen nights, turning the place into a pre-wedding festival we didn’t RSVP for.

The decline in food quality over the years is nothing short of impressive. It’s almost as if they’re challenging themselves to see how low they can go. And if you’re a vegetarian, well, let’s just say the menu now offers as many options as a steakhouse at dawn.

We won’t be gracing this place with our presence again. If mediocrity and noise are your muses, by all means, visit The Balcony Bar & Oyster Co. Otherwise, steer clear and save your taste buds—and...

August 2025 Our Sunday dinner at The Balcony was far from the enjoyable experience we hoped for to end our weekend. We used to regard this restaurant as a fantastic venue and visited every time we were in Byron, but after tonight, we will not be returning.

Upon arrival, the receptionist attempted to seat us outside in the cold without asking for our seating preference. The waiter, a tall young man with a tattoo on his arm (I couldn't catch his name as staff were not wearing name tags), seemed disinterested, often looking up at the ceiling while we placed our order. Unsurprisingly, our bread was forgotten—though perhaps that was for the best.

My glass of rosé arrived warm and had an unpleasant, sour taste; I couldn't bring myself to drink it. The grilled snapper appeared and smelled questionable, so I opted not to take a chance and requested that it be returned to the kitchen. After consulting the chef, who indicated he couldn't offer a better option, I canceled the order. The second main dish, the pork cutlet, was not much of an improvement.

When we settled our bill, no one inquired about our experience or whether we enjoyed our meal. The service was disappointing, and the atmosphere felt quite dreary. It was evident that they were busy, likely due to many other restaurants being closed on Sundays, leaving patrons with few options.

I cannot recommend this place to anyone. Save your time and money for a restaurant that values its customers and provides quality food...