If you think you know Cabarita Beach, think again!

If you think you know Cabarita Beach, think again! This sweet seaside village is known for its gorgeous beach and laid-back surf vibe, but spend a few days in Caba, as the locals call it, and you'll discover there's so much more to this small town, just 500m from end-to-end and just perfect for a long-weekend escape.

From nationally awarded dining and quenching sips to best spots for sunrise coffee and sundown cocktails, read on for an insider's guide on where to eat, drink, play, shop and stay in Cabarita Beach.

EAT

In Caba, you can eat your way through the day with an abundance of options. Cheap bites to Chef Hatted restaurants, healthy brekkies to handcrafted gelato and fresh-baked croissants to locally made organic sourdough crumpets.

There are not many small regional beach towns that can boast not one, but two Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hatted restaurants - but Cabarita sure can!

A stalwart in this national award of food distinction, Paper Daisy at Halcyon House is all sea-breeze ambience, flawless style andsophisticated simplicity with dishes that are satisfying, thoughtful and deeply memorable.

Across the road is more recent Cabarita arrival, No 35 Kitchen and Bar, awarded a Chef Hat within its first year and delighting locals and visitors with its casual but impeccable styling, service and menu, which is tantalisingly pitched as "Italian-ish".

Cabarita's food scene excels at the more casual end as well with Nectar Juice House on hand to start the day with DIY sandwiches, tempting baked goods and locally made sourdough crumpets.

Next up, the Beach Hotel or Pandanus Cafe each serve up tasty fare for a relaxed lunch beside the sea. Round out your day with a delicious palate-refresher at Get the Scoop Gelato. 

SHOP

If you fall in love with Cabarita's effortless beach vibe, why not take it home! Browse and buy at Tulum Home where you'll find seaside inspired tones and designs from light fittings and table settings to gorgeous furniture, fashion for all ages and art for your walls.

Pop in to the sweet Corner Collective too for colourful beach-wear, glassware for your favourite sips and green plants and baskets to energise the home.

For your next art purchase, visit Mist Gallery home to a carefully curated selection of work from local Northern Rivers artists.

If surf style is what you're after, you're in luck! Head to Cabarita Surf to snap up swimwear, surf boards, beach cabanas, shorts and frocks and a whole lot more.

STAY

Cabarita has so many options for overnighting to suit a range of tastes and budgets.

For an ultimate luxury experience book in at the boutique Halcyon House where interior designed rooms overlook the lavish pool and blue sea beyond. You can also dine at Halcyon's Paper Daisy and soothe body and soul at Halcyon Spa.

Opt for another ocean view at The Beach Cabarita, with recently refurbished, self-contained apartments offering pool, garden or sea views.

Nearby, Caba Break is a spacious home-away-from-home for two or up to 8 people if travelling with friends or family.

For luxury of a more laid-back kind, try glamping by the sea at The Hideaway Cabarita Beach, sublimely styled bell tents in a scenic communal setting, just steps to the beach and village.