Ballina has quietly built one of the most enjoyable food scenes on the Northern Rivers. It is not trying to compete with Byron Bay for headlines, and that is part of what makes eating here so good. The restaurants are locally run, the produce is regional, the prices are fair, and you can get a table without booking three weeks in advance.
From a beachside breakfast to riverfront sundowners and a proper dinner out, here is where to eat your way around town.
Morning Coffee and Breakfast
Image from The Belle General
Saltbush Bar and Grill, downstairs at Ramada Hotel and Suites Ballina on Martin Street, is one of the few spots in town that works across breakfast, lunch and dinner. The deck overlooks the Richmond River and the breakfast menu runs Tuesday to Sunday from 7am. If you are staying at the hotel, it is the easiest start to the day you will find.
Bertie’s Food and Drink on Cherry Street is a neighbourhood cafe and wine bar run by Tim Coleman (formerly of Rockpool, Icebergs and Acme) and interior designer Rhianne Contreras. The focus is on good, generous food without the fuss. Expect freshly baked focaccia sandwiches with quality meats and cheeses, fresh salads, Beam coffee from Byron Bay and a curated list of local wines and beers. Great for a relaxed breakfast or a midweek lunch.
The Belle General on Shelly Beach Road in East Ballina is a favourite for health-conscious breakfasts and brunch. They serve Allpress Espresso coffee alongside a menu packed with gluten-free, dairy-free and paleo-friendly options, plus house-pressed cold juices and thick dairy-free smoothies. Open daily from 8am to 2pm. Walk-ins only.
Shelly Beach Cafe sits right on the dunes overlooking the Pacific, along the Ballina Coastal Walk. It is one of those spots where the view alone justifies a visit, but the food holds up too. Seasonal menus built on local Northern Rivers produce, with breakfast from 7am and lunch through to 2pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Their Friday Feast on the last Friday of each month (4.30pm to 8pm) is worth planning around.
Lehem Breadhouse on Martin Street is an artisan bakery blending European and Middle Eastern baking traditions. Breads, baguettes, focaccia, croissants, pastries and gourmet sandwiches, all paired with locally roasted Busy Bird Coffee. It sits right beneath the Ramada Hotel, making it the easiest breakfast stop in town if you are staying with us.
Sundowners
Image from Saltbush Bar & Grill
Ballina is a riverfront town, and the best way to end an afternoon is with a drink overlooking the water. The deck at Saltbush is hard to beat when the afternoon light hits the river, with the bar open daily from 4pm. Wharf Bar and Restaurant on Fawcett Street is the other standout. It sits right on the Richmond River and catches some of the most spectacular sunsets in the region. Mediterranean-leaning menu with fresh seafood, house-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, premium meats and handcrafted cocktails. It works equally well for a late afternoon drink or a full dinner.
Dinner
Image from Capiche
Saltbush does dinner well too, with ocean-caught seafood, Northern Rivers beef and seasonal produce. The tempura Ballina king prawns and the rib eye with truffle mash are popular picks. Dinner runs daily from 5.30pm.
Kelp Restaurant at 175 River Street is a locally owned spot doing honest, approachable food with a strong seafood focus. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday, with walk-ins welcome but bookings recommended. It is the kind of restaurant that makes you feel at home, which counts for a lot.
Capiche on Lighthouse Parade in East Ballina serves authentic Italian with fun and heart, in a location directly above Lighthouse Beach with sweeping ocean views. It is particularly popular for sunset dinners, and the combination of Italian food and that outlook is hard to argue with. They also host events and weddings. Phone: (02) 5657 9357.
Hey Lady Bar and Diner at 105 River Street does Japanese-inspired share plates with cocktails, craft beer and wines. It is a social, buzzy kind of place, especially on Friday nights when they bring in DJs. Open Wednesday to Saturday for dinner (and from 8am for daytime trade). A good option when you want something a bit different.
Mumbai Masala at 14/4 Martin Street is run by chef-owners Rahul and Radhika, who bring authentic Indian flavours from both the north and south of India. House-roasted spices, tandoor-baked breads and a menu that covers everything from butter chicken and lamb korma to fish Nilgiri and chicken Madras. The riverside location with views over the Richmond River is a bonus you do not always get with a local Indian restaurant.
Ballina RSL on River Street is a reliable option for good-value dining with river views. Spinnakers Restaurant is the current dining room (bookings essential), serving lunch and dinner daily. The Level One Cafe and Bar does lighter meals and $6 schooners for members, and the Boardwalk restaurant will reopen after renovations with its waterfront deck. It is the kind of place that suits a family dinner or a casual night out without the price tag of a destination restaurant.
A Town That Eats Well
What stands out about Ballina’s food scene is the range. You can do beachfront breakfast, riverfront sundowners and a proper dinner at a different restaurant every night, all without leaving town. The quality of produce coming out of the Northern Rivers helps, but it is the people running these places that make it work. Most are locally owned, many are chef-driven, and none of them take themselves too seriously.
Ramada Hotel and Suites Ballina sits on the Richmond River with Saltbush Bar and Grill downstairs and Lehem Breadhouse on the ground floor. The rest of Ballina’s dining scene is within a short walk or drive. It is a good base for eating your way around town.
Book your stay directly and discover what is on the menu in Ballina.
