Overview
The Northern Rivers' food scene has got a new kid on the block, and it's bringing more than a little of the Big Apple with it. Tucked inside a newly renovated community business precinct in Byron Bay, Baloney's is a New York-Italian-style deli and cafe that's serving up nostalgia, deli meats and loaded sambos — no baloney.
It's been brought to life by founder George McFarlane as a passion project that puts a breezy Byron spin on Italian-American food culture. And while the two-hander sandwiches might be the initial drawcard, the space itself — designed by Northern Rivers studio Happy Hour — is full of character. Inside, you'll find black-and-white checkerboard tiles, a standing espresso bar and a restored vintage church bench that serves as a nod to old-school delis, while outside, a sun-soaked, 40-person deck sets the stage for relaxed al fresco hangs.
If you reckon the name sounds playful, that's exactly the point. Inspired by the Americanisation of mortadella — a meat banned by the US government during the Italian migration waves of the late 19th and early 20th centuries — 'baloney' became both a regulation-friendly substitute and, in time, slang for 'nonsense'.
And McFarlane is actively leaning into the word's double meaning, too: "I am not Italian or American, however I am passionate about Italian and American food so I'm a phoney baloney," he tells Concrete Playground.
As for the menu? Expect stacked sandwiches with a personal twist. Each one is named after someone close to McFarlane — like the Spicy Gabita, a tribute to his partner — who, according to McFarlane, is "a little bit spicy" — that sees eggplant, mozzarella, rocket, fermented chilli and balsamic layered on fluffy focaccia. You'll also find other creative combinations like the Alt Tayo, which features lemon-spiked cannellini beans, roast capsicum and vegan basil pesto, alongside the likes of a classic Reuben and, of course, a loaded mortadella, stracciatella and green olive number. If that's not enough to get you road tripping, there's also java juice by Coffee Supreme, artisan deli goods and a rotating selection of sandwich specials.
Baloney's also carries the influence of McFarlane's time cutting his proverbial teeth at Mortadeli in Torquay, Victoria, and Byron's much-loved Pixie Food & Wine. Baloney's is another feather in the cap for the burgeoning Byron food scene, which continues to evolve far beyond açai bowls and organic smoothies.
Baloney's is located at 10-12 Shirley Street, Byron Bay. It's open Tuesday–Sunday, 8am–2.30pm. For more info, head to the venue's Instagram page.