Aussies are driving for hours to this hidden forest shack so they can taste the ‘best sandwich in the country’
A ‘secret hut’ nestled in an Australian forest attracts relaxed diners looking for truly tasty seafood.
The Salty Mangrove is a modest hut in New Brighton, 22 km north of Byron Bay in the Brunswick Valley,
Diners there will be treated to a tempting menu from celebrity chef David Moyle and chef Alex Bentley, featuring 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, but remains quintessentially Australian.
Think freshly shucked native oysters kept in a special fridge, aubergines marinated in olive oil, broad beans and taramasalata – all mopped up with deliciously light flat bread.
A secret hut nestled in the Australian forest attracts relaxed diners looking for truly excellent seafood
The crumbled snapper sandwich with green lemon and sauce is a customer favorite
The fish sandwich itself consists of a generous slice of freshly crumbled snapper, green leaves and a generous dose of sauce on a soft brioche bun.
It’s definitely an experience and a big step up from your regular McDonald’s filet-o-fish. However, at $26, it will cost your wallet a lot 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 delicious marinated vegetable focaccia is a popular option with vegetarian guests
Freshly shucked native oysters, ‘amazing’ hand-cut fries and inventive cocktails keep customers coming back
The breathtaking natural beauty of New Brighton
For those who want something more substantial than seafood, the hotspot also wows customers with its divine lamb kofta focaccia.
Vegetarians also love the Greek weed pie ($12), full of spinach, chicory, radicchio and dandelion, which one customer called “suitably tart and flaky.”
Add to this the morning offering of excellent coffee and pastries (including gluten-free) and you can see why it has quickly become a firm favorite with locals and those further afield.
Nearby Saint Maries in Brunswick Heads also attracts many locals for its rustic wood-fired pizzas and equally popular cocktails.
Sydneysiders not quite ready for the eight-hour drive have instead flocked to local hotspots Salumerie in Potts Point and On a Roll in Crows Nest – where the humble sandwich is taken to a new level with its house-smoked brisket ($19.50).
