OPEN 6:30AM - 2PM EVERYDAY
Papaya's Story
Local &
Family Owned
Hey there! My name is Michele and together with my partner Taz, we own Papaya Lennox!
This site holds a special place in my heart. Back when I was 18, I worked here with the original owners when it was called ‘Jordan’s Farm’. I remember cutting broccoli in the cafe and thinking to myself “I’m going to own this shop one day!”
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​The cafe changed hands a few times over the years, while I continued working there for 6 months of the year and spending the other half travelling. After losing my father, I decided it was time to branch out and do my own thing. So, we opened a successful smoothie/salad bar in Byron Bay. Then destiny intervened when the opportunity to purchase this cafe arose. Taz told me “we're buying it” - and so Papaya was born in November 2019.
Freshness in Every Bite
Papaya thrived from the outset, fostering a robust community. Then came the unexpected challenge of COVID-19. Yet, we adapted, embracing home deliveries and navigating changes with a resilient spirit. The community's unwavering support transformed Papaya into a daily haven for coffee aficionados and those for a love of fresh, flavourful food. Regulars became family, and Papaya became more than a cafe - it became a home.
From Us to You
I was born in Thailand and moved to Lennox Head when I was 4 years old. My father had lived here in the late 60’s when there was only 3 houses in the town! Thai culture is all about sharing food, cooking food and being around food. Every traditional and cultural day is celebrated with food, and that’s what I like to do here at Papaya.