Grocery, Dumpling House, Tea House & Gift Store
Red Ginger has been a Byron institution since 2002 and it’s one of those places you really shouldn’t skip on a weekend visit. With two locations—one on Jonson Street in Byron Bay and another in Bangalow—it blends the feel of an old world Asian teahouse with the relaxed rhythm of the bay. Step inside and you’re met with shelves of Chinese, Japanese, and Indian teas, intricate teapots, ceramics, silks and spices, all sitting alongside a menu of freshly steamed dumplings and buns that locals have sworn by for years.
It’s the kind of place where you can pause in the middle of a busy Byron day, settle in among the lanterns and dark wood and work your way through baskets of prawn and pork siu mai, crab and prawn snowpea dumplings, sticky rice parcels, or pillowy custard buns. There are vegan and gluten-free options too, so no one misses out. The food comes out fast, steaming and comforting, making it just as perfect for a quick bite before hitting the beach as it is for an afternoon graze with a pot of green tea.
What makes Red Ginger stand out is how much it feels like more than a place to eat. You can wander the store after your dumplings, browse teas to take home, pick up a hand-painted bowl or lose yourself in shelves of spices and homewares you won’t find anywhere else in town. It’s a mix of dining and discovery that makes it feel very Byron. Laidback, a little eclectic and quietly stylish.
Whether you’re here for a long weekend or just passing through, Red Ginger is one of those must-do stops that gives you a taste of something different, while still feeling right at home in Byron Bay.
Red Ginger
Shop 5/109 Jonson St, Byron Bay NSW 2481
(02) 6680 9779
Redginger.com.au
