On a school morning this Eastside Village shopping centre cafe is abuzz with activity. Situated directly across from Gumdale primary school, parents flock to the Juice Jar after dropping their kids off to get their Byron Bay coffee, cold-pressed juice and morning gossip. This health ­conscious cafe serves up delicious, guilt­-free breakfast and lunch, not only for parents but anyone who enjoys fresh and tasty food. Plenty of gluten-­free and paleo options are available, as the cafe caters for all including a healthy kids menu. Known for their flavoursome cold-pressed juices, the menu includes Immune, Detox and Liver cleanse options served up in funky mason jars. Walking in it’s hard not to look past the display cabinet full of tasty and healthy treats, such as raw cakes and protein balls. Seating is available indoors on the comfortable booth-style lounges or outside and under cover in the fresh air. Priced reasonably, this busy cafe is the perfect place to catch up with friends for a coffee and meal without feeling like you’ve broken your diet or wallet.

Text by Alana Oglivy