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Latin eats, Byron beats

Turn up the heat, Roca is a feast for the senses.

Roca, Byron Bay (image supplied)
Tuna Nikkei Tiradito, Roca, Byron Bay (image supplied)

Byron Bay attracts people from every corner of the globe, so it was only a matter of time before the food scene reflected this rich diversity. With the arrival of Roca, a Latin American-inspired dining hotspot, the coastal haven is now a whole lot spicier.

Roca, Byron Bay (image supplied)
Roca, Byron Bay (image supplied)

Roca is the brainchild of hospitality legends Christopher Schneider and Bradley-Ryan Duncan, who bring more than 40 years of hospitality experience to the table. Chris, a Gold Coast local, started his hospo career in Melbourne where he met Brad, a Brit who arrived as a wide-eyed backpacker in 2008 who climbed the ranks from glassie to General Manager. Together, they’re shaking up Byron’s food scene like a perfectly mixed margarita.

Chris said “Byron Bay has a significant Latin population, whose presence has brought tremendous energy and culture to the community.”

Roca, Byron Bay (image supplied)
Roca, Byron Bay (image supplied)

Step into Roca, and you’ll feel like you’ve landed somewhere between the Amazon rainforest and the beaches of Brazil. The design, overseen by Chris, Jose Galvan and William Hopper, embraces the building’s original curves while adding a pink mosaic wall and nacho-ral textures, making every corner turn heads. Indoor and outdoor spaces flow seamlessly, creating a plantain-tastic setting for everything from casual breakfast catch-ups to special dinner celebrations.

Roca, Byron Bay (image by @jillianmchughphoto)
Ceviche, Roca, Byron Bay (image by @jillianmchughphoto)

When it came to food, Chris and Brad went the whole enchilada by flying in culinary superstar Diego Aguirre Vallenas from Lima, Peru. With over 20 years of experience, from the Caribbean to Europe, Diego brings serious Latin flair to Roca’s kitchen. And soon, his wife Camilla, also a chef, will join the team, proving that Roca’s family-style dining begins in the kitchen.

Roca, Byron Bay (image supplied)
Food at Roca, Byron Bay (image supplied)

The menu is a knockout, starting with breakfast bringing cafe classics to the table with Latin twists like Dulce de Leche Pancakes served with vanilla ice cream, seasonal fruit and whipped cream.

From lunch to dinner, every dish tells a story of Latin fusion with fresh, local ingredients.

Burgers like the Rocatina Burger with tuna, avocado, acevichada mayo, nori chips and fried sweet potato will satisfy those post-beach cravings.

Roca, Byron Bay (image by @jillianmchughphoto)
Arroz Chaufa, Roca, Byron Bay (image by @jillianmchughphoto)

When the sun goes down, dive into refreshing Watermelon Ceviche served with cucumber, red onion, fresh chilli, coriander and tostadas or get the party started with Mixed Fried Empanadas of local prawn and cheese, wild mushroom and cheese, traditional beef served with chimichurri and pebre dipping sauce.

Signature share plates include Arroz Chaufa – a Chinese-Peruvian fried rice with prawns and pork wontons and Lomo Saltado – succulent beef striploin served with fries and rice. Each dish dances between sophistication and fun.

Roca, Byron Bay (image supplied)
Classic Pisco Sour, Roca, Byron Bay (image supplied)

For a true Latino evening for you and your amigos, the Eat Like Papi experience by the Argentinian grill is a true showstopper, or should we say showstarter? Kicking off at 5pm, chefs prepare fresh ceviche and expertly grill meats right before your eyes. It’s the ultimate Latin dinner party – minus the long flight.

Wash it all down with signature cocktails like the Hot Like Papi, a fiery mix of tequila, habanero, and strawberries, or the Piscocello Spritz, a refreshing fusion of pisco, limoncello, and cactus water, and you’ll be roca-ing and rolling all night.

Where: 14 Lawson Street, Byron Bay
Where: 6.30am – late, daily

Words by Lisette Drew

Roca, Byron Bay (image by @jillianmchughphoto)
Roca, Byron Bay (image by @jillianmchughphoto)
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