The Gallery Cafe

The Gallery Cafe on Cherry Street is Ballina's all week breakfast answer, opening 7am to about 1:30pm every single day including Sundays. The outdoor side is the dog friendly half: a leafy verandah and garden seating where listings such as Destination NSW and Pupsy report dogs are welcome, with staff bringing out water bowls. That third party reporting is the main source of the policy here, since the venue itself keeps things low key online.

The dog setup

Ask for a verandah or garden table and your dog has shade, room and a water bowl on arrival. The setting is relaxed enough that a settled dog under the table is no bother to anyone, and the garden strip keeps everyone off the footpath. Mornings are the natural window given the early close, and a weekday visit gets you the quietest tables with the shortest wait.

The menu runs from rosti and eggs benedict through to a lobster roll for the days you want to push the boat out, and gluten free toast is on hand. Lemon tarts from the cabinet are the usual closer. Coffee is steady rather than precious, which suits a cafe that turns tables steadily from 7am.

Make a day of it

Ballina stacks up well for a dog day. Walk it off along the river at the Missingham Park Off Leash Area, where the riverside lawn gives your dog a proper run, or head to Kingsford Smith dog park for a fenced session. For an afternoon counterpoint, the taproom at Seven Mile Brewing Co welcomes dogs in its outdoor areas, and Bertie's food and drink covers the next morning's coffee.

Cherry Street parking is straightforward, with angled bays along the strip and side streets nearby. The Ballina destination page gathers the town's dog friendly venues, and the NSW cafes guide extends the search up and down the coast.