Hollywood superstar Chris Hemsworth has sent the Australian culinary world into a spin by officially declaring a new Byron Bay restaurant his absolute favourite. The 'Thor' actor shared his glowing review with his millions of Instagram followers this week, instantly catapulting the venue to must-visit status.
An A-List Endorsement for Byron's Newest Hotspot
Hemsworth posted a snap of himself dining at Feu, the headline restaurant within celebrated chef Shannon Bennett's newly opened Belongil precinct. Pictured with his wife, Elsa Pataky, and a group of friends, the actor did not hold back in his praise. 'My new favourite restaurant!' he captioned the post. 'Thank you... for one of the most epic gourmet food adventures I've ever had!'
This powerful endorsement has firmly placed the 40-seat restaurant, which only opened its doors in December, on the national and international A-list radar. It is now being whispered about as one of the country's most exciting dining experiences.
The Theatre of Feu: Fire, Tech and Local Produce
Located just north of central Byron Bay, The Belongil is a sprawling, four-part hospitality project into which Bennett and business partner Glen Norman have poured more than $10 million. At its heart is Feu, an intimate venue that ditches convention for a theatrical journey.
Guests enter via a shipping container, walk through a tunnel lined with wine bottles, and emerge into a moody charcoal dining room centred around an open kitchen. The menu is built around fire and charcoal, with dishes cooked over local yellow box wood.
In a unique twist, diners effectively curate their own multi-course adventure by choosing ingredients represented by bespoke porcelain pieces. Embedded NFC technology then reveals the story behind each component, directly linking guests to the Northern Rivers farmers and producers.
Byron's Evolving Luxury Scene Gets a Powerhouse Addition
The talent behind Feu is formidable, with Bennett reuniting with former Vue de Monde heavyweights, including group executive chef Cory Campbell and master sommelier Carlos Simoes Santos. Sustainability is woven throughout the precinct, featuring composting systems and a circular food philosophy.
Hemsworth's stamp of approval carries significant local weight. The actor and his brothers are deeply embedded in the Byron community, with combined property investments in the region estimated to be worth well over $100 million. He and Elsa have called the area home for more than a decade.
By declaring Feu his new favourite, Hemsworth has achieved what no marketing campaign could: cementing it as the ultimate celebrity-approved dining destination. For anyone else hoping to experience it, the message is clear – securing a table just became the hottest ticket in town.
