Sometimes you want a proper sit-down breakfast. Sometimes you just want someone to hand you a coffee before you tackle the day. And sometimes the whole point is finding a seat where you can look at the water for a while.

There are cafés in Ballina for all three. Here are five to keep in mind, depending on where you are and what sort of morning you have planned. It’s a starting point, rather than a ranking of every café in town.

Shelly Beach Cafe: breakfast with the ocean in front of you

If the view is part of the plan, Shelly Beach Cafe is an obvious place to start. It sits right on the dunes at 1 Shelly Beach Road, with views across the Pacific.

The café currently opens Tuesday to Sunday from 7am to 3pm, with breakfast served until 11am. That breakfast cut-off is worth remembering if your “early start” tends to drift towards midday.

You can book a table through its website, or pick up takeaway coffee and something from the cake selection. A beach walk afterwards makes a fairly easy morning of it.

The Belle General: another option near Shelly Beach

A little further along, The Belle General is at 12 Shelly Beach Road. It’s a separate café, so double-check the address if you’re meeting someone “at Shelly”.

It serves Allpress coffee and has gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian options. If you have an allergy, have a chat with staff about what’s suitable rather than relying on a menu label alone.

Current hours are 8am to 2pm daily, with breakfast until 11.30am. It generally takes walk-ins, which suits a casual catch-up. For larger groups, check its arrangements first.

For something more central, The Gallery Cafe is at 46 Cherry Street, in the former council chambers alongside the Northern Rivers Community Gallery.

It serves breakfast, brunch and lunch, with indoor seating and a leafy verandah overlooking the gardens. The view here is greenery rather than surf, which might be just what you’re after for a catch-up.

If you fancy looking at an exhibition afterwards, check the gallery’s opening hours separately. The café and gallery don’t necessarily keep the same timetable.

Old Quarter: when coffee is the main event

Old Quarter Coffee Merchants is at 2/6 Endeavour Close, in Ballina’s industrial area. There’s no beachfront setting here, but it belongs on the list if you’re interested in locally roasted coffee.

It’s also a useful stop if you want beans for home. Have a chat about what you usually drink and how you make it. The locations page links to current opening hours, so check before heading over.

Capiche Kiosk: coffee by Lighthouse Beach

For another beachside option, look for Capiche Kiosk at Lighthouse Beach. The kiosk offers coffee and brunch, with space on the beachfront lawn under thatched umbrellas.

Its current hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 7am to 12.30pm. Those are kiosk hours; the restaurant upstairs has a different schedule.

Pick the morning that suits you

For ocean views, start with Shelly Beach Cafe or Capiche Kiosk. For breakfast near the beach, add The Belle General to your options. In town, try The Gallery Cafe; for a coffee-focused stop, head to Old Quarter.

Menus and hours can change, especially around public holidays. A quick check before leaving home is usually enough. Then all that’s left is deciding whether you’re having a second coffee.