Chris Hemsworth, Shannon Bennett, Elsa Pataky in the wine cellar hallway. Source: Instagram
Chris Hemsworth has sparked a frenzy for an immersive Aussie venue packed with a secret bar, wine hallway, shipping-container doors, hi-tech walls and the world’s first robotic sand artwork.
The Hollywood star and his wife Elsa Pataky were among early guests at Belongil, the ambitious four-venue hospitality project created by celebrity chef and former MasterChef guest judge Shannon Bennett.
Inside Feu. Source: Instagram
The development houses fine-dining restaurant Feu, a casual bistro, a beachfront kiosk and a members-only secret bar – each designed to offer a different dining experience depending on mood.
“My new favourite restaurant,” Mr Hemsworth wrote after dining at Feu, thanking Mr Bennett “for one of the most epic gourmet food adventures I’ve ever had”.
The endorsement sparked a surge of interest in the already buzzing Belongil precinct, which blends high-end cuisine with immersive design, hidden spaces and cutting-edge technology.
Mr Bennett said the praise from Mr Hemsworth and Ms Pataky – seasoned travellers who have eaten at some of the world’s most exclusive restaurants – was deeply meaningful.
“When mates like Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky sit at your table and quietly say, ‘this is my new favourite restaurant in the world,’ that’s not lost on us,” he told Instagram followers.
“We’re grateful. Focused. Just getting started.”
The robotic sand art installation is a world first. Source: Instagram
In a behind-the-scenes video tour shared on Instagram, Bennett revealed the thinking behind Belongil’s standout features. Feu – French for “fire” – is his passion project and has its own dramatic entrance through industrial shipping-container doors.
“I want the contrast of the old shipping container,” Bennett said. “It’s unexpected – but it also brings me back to my days in Melbourne.”
From there, guests pass through a wine-lined hallway holding more than 6,500 bottles before entering Feu itself, where the experience begins with what Bennett describes as a world-first: a robotic sand art installation by Nakatomi that continuously redraws patterns throughout the meal.
Technology continues into even the most private spaces, with AI-driven visuals transforming the restaurant’s bathroom cubicle walls based on spoken mood cues given by users themselves, with words like “raw” or “elemental” producing darker rugged features.
Images shared to Instagram at Belongil. Source: Instagram
Recycled and historic materials are a major feature throughout the venue. Timber beams were salvaged from a Japanese temple in Hokkaido, while bonsai plants sit on tables in pots recovered from a Dutch shipwreck off Indonesia, estimated to be up to 300 years old.
Hidden within the wine hallway is Blind Tiger, a members-only bar accessed by invitation or local connections.
One wine wall panel slides open to reveal a plush space styled like an old whaling ship, complete with engraved timber dating back to 1887 and furniture crafted from recycled coconut plantation wood sourced in Fiji.
Beyond fine dining, Mr Bennett has ensured the precinct remains accessible. The Belongil kiosk caters to surfers and dog-walkers, with all items priced under $20, while the 88-seat Belongil Bistro offers a more relaxed sit-down option in a converted former Italian restaurant.
Images shared to Instagram at Belongil. Source: Instagram
Photographer Greg Williams, who documented an early visit, described the experience as unforgettable.
“I had the best 24-hour adventure with the maddest bunch eating the tastiest food of my life,” he said.
“The ambition, attention to detail and sheer audacity of what Shannon Bennett and his team have built is incredible.”
Long-time Byron Bay locals, Hemsworth and Pataky are known for championing local businesses, with their endorsement drawing more than half a million likes on Instagram alone.
Online reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with commenters praising the venue’s creativity and immersive design — and many declaring they “can’t wait” to experience what some are already calling one of the world’s best restaurants.
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