Icebergs' restaurateur Maurice Terzini to open Italian restaurant in Byron Bay

Already a growing haunt for Hollywood A-listers, Byron Bay is set to add Icebergs' veteran Maurice Terzini to its incoming band of top-shelf restaurant talent.

A new restaurant, provisionally named Belongil Italian Food Real Wine & Bar will open mid-year, a few doors along from local stalwart, Treehouse on Belongil.

"I'm partnering up with the team from [Belongil Beach restaurant] Culta," Terzini says. "George Livissianis will do the design."

Icebergs shareholder Deke Miskin is also a partner in the upcoming venue.

Terzini explains the venue will have elements of some of his former venues – including North Bondi Italian and the Melbourne Wine Room – while still expressing Byron Bay traits.

Byron Bay has upped its food pulling power in recent years, with chefs Matt Kemp and Sean Connolly, the crew from Three Blue Ducks, and hotelier Fraser Short among those to dip their toes commercially in its waters.

"It's a great area and location. It has everything I wanted to do in Bali," Terzini adds.

The industry vet has a busy year ahead. Terzini has partnered with entrepreneurial bartender Matt Whiley on a new bar, RE-, which opens in March at the old locomotive workshops at South Eveleigh, and is also eyeing a restaurant launch in the Sydney CBD. Stay tuned.