Che Bon Restaurant

Che Bon is a small French restaurant on Cherry Street in central Ballina, and it is one of the few proper sit-down dinner spots in town where a dog can join you. The deal is simple: dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables, and the indoor dining room stays for people only. Ask for an outside table when you book and you have a quiet, candle-lit dinner with your dog settled beside the chair.

The dog setup

The outdoor tables sit street-side, close enough that your dog stays part of the table without getting underfoot. Staff are used to diners with dogs, but the outdoor section is small, so book ahead rather than relying on walk-ins, and bring a water bowl of your own to be safe.

The vibe

The kitchen runs traditional French: escargot, beef tartare, confit duck with duck liver pate, a seafood platter for two, and creme brulee to finish, matched against a list of French wines. Hours run Tuesday to Friday from 11am to 8:30pm, Saturday from 5pm, with Sundays and Mondays closed, so plan around the dinner windows. Live music turns up occasionally.

Getting there and parking

The address is 37-41 Cherry Street, a central block of Ballina with street parking out front and off-street parking nearby. The Richmond River foreshore is an easy walk away for a pre-dinner or after-dinner stroll on the leash.

Close by with the dogs

For a more casual night, Wharf Bar & Restaurant serves dinner on the river with dog-friendly outdoor seating, and Missingham Park Off Leash Area gives your dog a proper run before you settle in for the evening.

Confirm outdoor availability and current hours on the Che Bon website before booking, since the Saturday service starts later than the rest of the week.