The Paddock Project

The Paddock Project is a café, working market garden and community space on Argyle Street in Mullumbimby, where coffee is served alongside produce grown on site. The kiosk offers freshly roasted coffee from Byron Bay’s Barefoot Roasters, chai, house-made snacks and light lunches, with options catering for gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan customers. The menu changes with what is available from the garden and the wider Mullumbimby area, giving the food a clear seasonal focus.

The setting is a major part of the visit. Guests can take a seat in the garden, enjoy a coffee and look across the edible syntropic gardens, or walk through the market garden before browsing the Paddock Shop and its freshly harvested fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers. The open space also has views towards Mount Chincogan. The kiosk trades on weekdays and Saturdays, making it suited to a morning stop, a relaxed catch-up or a takeaway cuppa while exploring Mullumbimby.

There is a strong social purpose behind the venue. The Paddock Project provides supported employment and work-preparation programs for people with disabilities, creating opportunities to build transferable skills and connect with the community. Its farming approach is SXC Organic Certified and focuses on growing without synthetic chemicals or GMOs, while supporting soil health, biodiversity and more sustainable land practices. The project received the Byron Shire Council Community Awards’ Access and Inclusion award in 2023.

The Paddock suits a broad range of visitors: solo guests looking for a garden coffee, friends and families wanting an easy outdoor meet-up, and people interested in local produce, inclusive employment and sustainable farming. Its calendar also includes community events, workshops, children’s garden sessions, garage sales and Wednesday evening jams with live music, food and garden surroundings. For a simple café visit, expect an informal space where the setting, seasonal produce and community focus are as central as the food and drink.