Chris Hemsworth is causing madness at the world’s first ‘new favorite’ location – realestate.com.au

Chris Hemsworth has made waves with an immersive Australian location packed with a secret bar, wine corridor, shipping container doors, hi-tech walls and the world’s first robotic sand artwork.

The Hollywood star and his wife Elsa Pataky were among the first guests at Belongil, the ambitious four-venue hospitality project created by celebrity chef and former MasterChef guest judge Shannon Bennett.

Inside Feu. Source: Instagram

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The project houses the Feu fine dining restaurant, a casual bistro, a beachside kiosk and a secret members-only bar – each designed to offer a different dining experience depending on the mood.

“My new favorite restaurant,” Mr. Hemsworth wrote after dining at Feu, thanking Mr. Bennett “for one of the most epic culinary adventures I have ever had.”

The approval sparked a wave of interest in the already vibrant Belongil district, which combines high-end cuisine with immersive design, hidden spaces and cutting-edge technology.

Mr Bennett said the praise from Mr Hemsworth and Ms Pataky – seasoned travelers who have eaten at some of the most exclusive restaurants in the world – was deeply meaningful.

“When friends like Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky sit at your table and quietly say, ‘This is my new favorite restaurant in the world,’ it’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

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In a behind-the-scenes video tour shared to 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 takes me back to my days in Melbourne.”

From there, guests move through a wine-lined corridor displaying 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 continually redraws patterns throughout the meal.

Technology extends into the most confined spaces, with AI-driven images transforming the walls of restaurant bathroom stalls based on spoken mood cues given by users themselves, with words like “raw” or “elemental” producing darker, rougher features.

Images shared on Instagram at Belongil. Source: Instagram

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Recycled and historic materials are a key feature of the site. Wooden beams were salvaged from a Japanese temple in Hokkaido, while bonsai plants sit on tables in pots recovered from a Dutch shipwreck off the coast of Indonesia, estimated to be around 300 years old.

Hidden in the wine aisle is Blind Tiger, a members-only bar that is accessible by invitation or through local connections.

One wine wall panel slides open to reveal a soft space in the style of an old whaling ship, complete with engraved wood dating back to 1887 and furniture made from recycled coconut plantation wood sourced from Fiji.

In addition to good food, Mr Bennett has ensured that the district remains accessible. The Belongil kiosk caters to surfers and dog walkers, with all items costing less than $20, while the 88-seat Belongil Bistro offers a more relaxed sit-down option in a converted former Italian restaurant.

Images shared on Instagram at Belongil. Source: Instagram

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Photographer Greg Williams, who documented an early visit, described the experience as unforgettable.

“I had the best 24-hour adventure with the craziest group eating the best food of my life,” he said.

“The ambition, attention to detail and sheer grit of what Shannon Bennett and his team have built is incredible.”

Long-time Byron Bay residents Hemsworth and Pataky are known for championing local businesses, with their support racking up more than half a million likes on Instagram alone.

The online response was overwhelmingly positive, with commenters praising the venue’s creativity and immersive design – and many stating that they “can’t wait” to experience what some are already calling one of the best restaurants in the world.