If you love starting your day with a perfectly brewed coffee, Ballina is the place to be. From local roasters and plantation tours to waterfront cafés just steps from your room, the region’s coffee culture is rich, welcoming and full of flavour. Staying at Ramada Hotel & Suites Ballina puts you right in the heart of it all, surrounded by some of the best cafés and roasters in the Northern Rivers. Whether you’re sipping your first cup overlooking the Richmond River or exploring the hinterland in search of the perfect blend, this is a coffee lover’s holiday you’ll never forget.
Local Roasters to Discover
The Ballina industrial estate is brimming with small-batch roasters who take their coffee seriously. Each has its own flavour profile, philosophy and style, so take your time sampling a few while you’re here.
Old Quarter Coffee Merchants
Part social enterprise, part specialty coffee roaster, Old Quarter has made its mark as one of Ballina’s most inspiring local businesses. Founded by environmental scientists and travellers Yosir Le Cerf and Amelia Hicks, Old Quarter was born from a simple idea in Hanoi’s Old Quarter to connect communities through coffee that tastes good, feels good and gives good.
Old Quarter sources 100 percent of its green beans directly from farmers across Southeast Asia, building genuine relationships with growers from Myanmar to Sumatra. This hands-on approach ensures every cup supports a fair value exchange where farmers are paid equitably and sustainability is prioritised at every step.
At their roastery and café in Ballina’s Industrial Estate, visitors can see this mission in action. Stop in for a beautifully crafted brew, a fresh toastie or a taste of their signature Laos Good Drop, with ten percent of every bag sold going toward clean water projects for the farmers who grew it. With an emphasis on traceable, ethical sourcing and community connection, Old Quarter is not just serving coffee, it is redefining how coffee connects people and place.
https://oldquartercoffee.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/oldquartercoffeemerchants/
Mark Bullivant Coffee Roasters
“I don’t sell coffee, I sell taste.”
Meet Mark Bullivant, the master roaster behind Mark Bullivant Coffee and one of the most respected figures in the Australian coffee industry. With fifty years of experience and more than two decades as a Ballina local, Mark’s reputation is built on expertise, integrity and an unwavering passion for flavour.
From sourcing and roasting beans to packaging and working directly with loyal wholesale clients, Mark oversees every part of his operation. His hands-on approach ensures exceptional quality and consistency, a hallmark that has made him a mentor to many of Australia’s best-known coffee professionals.
Mark Bullivant Coffee offers high-grade specialty beans, both roasted and green, including traditional and custom blends, single origins, micro-lots and rare exotics. Each is crafted to deliver satisfaction with every sip.
Visits are by appointment only, so get in touch with Mark to set up a wholesale account or arrange your own personal coffee order.
https://markbullivantcoffee.com
https://www.instagram.com/mark_bullivant_coffee/
Zoom Coffee
Tucked away in Ballina’s Industrial Estate, Zoom Coffee is a favourite among locals who appreciate perfectly roasted beans and genuine passion behind every cup. This boutique roastery focuses on small-batch roasting, precision, and quality, producing coffee that is as consistent as it is full of character.
Zoom Coffee is known for its clean, balanced flavour profiles that highlight the unique qualities of each origin. Every roast is carefully developed to bring out the best in the beans, reflecting the team’s deep respect for the craft of coffee making.
Open Monday and Tuesday from 10am to 3pm, and by appointment for the rest of the week, Zoom Coffee welcomes visitors who want to learn more about the roasting process, sample a brew, or stock up on fresh beans direct from the source. It is the kind of place where conversation flows as easily as the coffee, and every visit feels like catching up with friends who love what they do.
https://www.zoomcoffee.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/zoomcoffee.aus
Espresso Tenango
Espresso Tenango is a family-run specialty coffee roaster and wholesaler based in Ballina. The team places a strong emphasis on sustainability and ethical sourcing, ensuring long-term security for the producers they work with. By sourcing beans directly from growers, Espresso Tenango reduces bean miles and helps coffee farmers receive a fair price for their craft.
Each origin is roasted individually to highlight its unique characteristics, revealing complex flavours and refined clarity. The beans are then post-blended and packaged on the same day to ensure maximum freshness and consistency.
With a deep focus on coffee appreciation, education and transparency, Espresso Tenango bridges the gap between grower, roaster and coffee lover, creating a truly meaningful cup from crop to cup.
If you would like to visit or learn more, contact the team directly to confirm opening hours before stopping by.
https://www.espressotenango.com/
https://www.instagram.com/espressotenango/
Visit the Coffee Growers
If you’ve ever wanted to see where your coffee comes from, the Northern Rivers offers a rare opportunity to visit working plantations surrounded by lush hinterland scenery.
Zentveld’s Coffee Farm & Roastery
A true pioneer in Australian-grown coffee, Zentveld’s Coffee Farm and Roastery has been producing premium, sustainable coffee from the hills of Newrybar since 1987. Family-owned and operated, the Zentveld family has built their reputation on ethical, regenerative farming practices and a dedication to quality from crop to cup.
Visitors can experience the full journey of coffee production on-site, from plantation to roastery. The farm offers its Crop to Cup Coffee Plantation Tour every Friday at 10am, hosted by Rebecca Zentveld. The 90-minute tour includes a walk through the coffee rows, an introduction to Zentveld’s regenerative growing methods, and a behind-the-scenes look at their solar-powered roastery. Guests finish the experience with a freshly made coffee at the farm café and shop.
Bookings are recommended for private tours or group visits.
https://www.instagram.com/zentveldscoffee
Kahawa Estate
Kahawa Estate is a family-owned coffee farm nestled on the Alstonville Plateau in the Byron Bay hinterland. The name Kahawa means coffee in Swahili, a nod to the owners’ African heritage and to the K7 variety of Coffea arabica that originated in Kenya and continues to thrive on the farm today.
Every stage of production happens on-site, from tending the trees to processing, roasting and packaging. The result is a premium single-origin coffee that reflects the region’s rich red volcanic soil, subtropical climate and sustainable farming practices. Kahawa Estate’s beans are pesticide-free and grown using methods that nurture the land and protect biodiversity.
Owned and operated by Seth and Michelle Wreyford, the farm carries on the legacy of the original founders, blending experience in agriculture with a shared passion for quality and environmental care.
While Kahawa Estate is not open for walk-in visitors due to biosecurity protocols, those interested in learning more or arranging a visit are encouraged to contact the team directly before attending.
https://www.kahawaestate.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/kahawaestate
Ballina Café Culture
Ballina’s café scene is as diverse as it is inviting, with a mix of spaces that capture the town’s easygoing charm and love of good coffee. It is the kind of place where every corner seems to have a favourite spot, from riverfront cafés where you can watch the morning light shimmer across the water to beachside venues serving brunch with sea breezes and the sound of waves in the background.
Across town, you will find everything from relaxed surfside shacks to polished modern cafés offering locally roasted coffee and creative seasonal menus. Many spots showcase the best of Northern Rivers produce, pairing smooth espresso with fresh pastries, colourful breakfast bowls and vibrant vegetarian options. Whether you are after a slow morning overlooking the Richmond River, a coastal brunch after a swim, or a quick takeaway on your way to explore the hinterland, Ballina has something for every kind of coffee lover.
Stay in the Heart of It All
At Ramada Hotel & Suites Ballina, you are perfectly positioned to explore the region’s best coffee experiences. Wander along the riverfront to discover local cafés, take a short drive to the hinterland to visit a plantation, or simply start your day with a riverside breakfast overlooking the Richmond River.
For coffee lovers, Ballina is more than just a destination; it is a daily ritual worth traveling for.
Contact us to book your stay today and taste the Northern Rivers, one cup at a time.
