Double Shot on Brighton

Double Shot on Brighton is the little coffee and takeaway shop on the Brighton Street corner in East Ballina, and it makes no secret of where dogs stand: the cafe's own posts tell customers to bring theirs. It is a quick-stop organic coffee outfit a few minutes from Shaws Bay, which makes it a natural first stop on the way to the water.

The dog setup

Dogs sit with you at the sheltered outdoor seating out the front. It is footpath-style rather than an enclosed courtyard, so keep your dog leashed and settled at the table. Regulars report dog bowls and treats on hand, and the team has a reputation for being good with four-legged customers. Order at the counter and stay outside. There is no indoor access for dogs.

The vibe

This is takeaway-first, relaxed and unfussy: organic coffee, a bacon and egg roll in the morning window, quiches and cabinet bakery items. Doors open at 7am daily and the shutters go up around noon, so it is a breakfast-and-morning-coffee proposition rather than an all-day cafe. Reviewers are split on service pace but the coffee draws steady praise.

Getting there and parking

You will find it at 5 Brighton Street in the East Ballina shops. The cafe advertises hassle-free parking and delivers on it, with bays out front and plenty of street parking around the strip, rare for a beachside coffee stop in summer.

Make a day of it

The walking paths around Shaws Bay are minutes away for an easy on-lead loop, and the off-lead space at Compton Dog Park is close by for a proper run. Over in town, Missingham Park's riverside off leash area pairs well with a coffee at Swish Cafe if you are doing a Ballina cafe lap.

More dog-friendly spots across the Northern Rivers are on the East Ballina destination page and the NSW cafes list.