BalaBite

BalaBite is an Israeli and Mediterranean kitchen in the North Ward Shopping Centre at 31-45 Eyre Street, Townsville. It runs a casual lunch through early dinner format built on homemade pita, hummus, falafel, shakshuka and lamb or beef kofta pitas, and it is listed as pet friendly at its outdoor seating, which makes it a handy stop when you are around the precinct with the dog.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the alfresco tables out in the shopping centre precinct, on a lead, close to your table. The indoor dining area stays people only. Staff are generally easygoing with well behaved dogs, but Townsville heat is a real factor, so carry your own water bowl and pick a shaded table in the warmer months.

The vibe

This is a functional, casual eatery rather than a scenic destination: think a proper quick lunch or an early dinner between errands. Opening hours run from 11am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 7pm on weekends, which covers lunch through the early evening. The pita bread is made in house, and the dips and shakshuka are the reason locals keep coming back.

Getting there and parking

The North Ward Shopping Centre has free off street parking, and there is additional street parking along Eyre Street. It sits a short drive or a reasonable walk from The Strand, so it slots easily into a coastal outing.

Close by with the dogs

The Strand's foreshore path is the obvious pre or post meal stroll, and Odyssey on the Strand is a dog friendly cafe option along the waterfront. Sirens Bayside in Belgian Gardens, a few minutes toward Rowes Bay, welcomes dogs at its outdoor seating too, and Vitti Cafe on Gregory is another North Ward fallback nearby.

More dog friendly restaurants across Queensland, or plan the rest of the trip via North Ward.