A ‘secret shack’ nestled in an Australian forest is attracting laid back diners in search of truly tasty seafood.
The Salty Mangrove is an unassuming cabin in New Brighton, 22km north of Byron Bay in the Brunswick Valley,
Diners there are treated to a tempting menu by renowned chef David Moyle and head chef Alex Bentley, which features the pair’s epic fish sandwich, served with mouthwatering hand-cut fries.
Their deep passion for wine and seafood inspires a menu that is both authentic and irresistibly simple; it has strong nods to Greek cuisine while remaining characteristically Australian.
Think freshly shucked native oysters stored in a special fridge, olive oil-marinated eggplant, fava beans and taramasalata – all mopped up by gorgeously light flat-bread.
A secret shack nestled in the Australian forest is attracting laid back diners in search of truly excellent seafood
The crumbed snapper sandwich with greens lemon and sauce is a customer favourite
The fish sandwich itself consists of a generous slab of fresh crumbed snapper, green leaves and lashings of sauce on a soft brioche bun.
It’s definitely an experience, and a big step up from your regular McDonald’s fillet-o-fish. At $26, however, it’ll set your wallet back a fair bit more.
There’s also an impressive selection of natural wines and cocktails – such as the aptly named Saltini and the much loved Mezcal – as well as cold beer on tap.
The mouth-watering marinated vegetable focaccia is a popular option with vegetarian guests
Freshly shucked native oysters, ‘terrific’ hand cut chips and inventive cocktails keep customers coming back
New Brighton’s stunning natural beauty
For those wanting something more substantial than seafood, the hot spot also wows customers with its divine lamb kofta focaccia.
Vegetarians also love the Greek-style weed pie ($12) full of spinach, chicory, radicchio and dandelion which one customer called ‘suitably sharp and flaky’.
Add to this a morning line up of excellent coffee and pastries (gluten-free included) and you can understand why it has quickly become a firm favourite of locals and those further afar.
Nearby, Saint Maries in Brunswick Heads also draws in a big local crowd for its rustic woodfired pizza and equally popular cocktails.
Sydney-siders who aren’t quite up for the eight hour drive have instead been flocking to local hot-spots Salumerie in Potts Point and On a Roll in Crows Nest – which elevates the humble toastie to new levels with its house-smoked brisket ($19.50).