
Shelly Beach Cafe Ballina
A beachside cafe at East Ballina near Byron, rated 4.5 across more than 1,100 reviews.
Some links are affiliate links — if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our Spot Score or what we recommend.
Why it's worth checking out
Shelly Beach Cafe sits on Shelly Beach Road at East Ballina, on the coast just south of Byron Bay in the Northern Rivers, right by the beach. A much-loved beachside cafe, it makes the most of its lovely location — combining quality food and good coffee with an easygoing, beachfront atmosphere and lovely ocean views, the kind of relaxed spot perfect for a bite by the sea.
The appeal is that combination of quality cafe fare, good coffee and a gorgeous beachside setting at Shelly Beach, ideal for a morning coffee, a leisurely brunch or a casual bite with lovely ocean views. With the beach right there and the lovely Ballina coast all around, it's a natural spot for a relaxed seaside outing, and Shelly Beach Cafe has clearly won over a big, loyal crowd.
With a 4.5 rating from more than 1,100 reviews, it's clearly hitting the mark. Menus, opening hours and offerings change with the seasons, and a popular beachside cafe gets busy on weekend mornings and over holidays, so it's worth checking current details before a special trip — though for a coffee and a casual bite with ocean views, it's often just a matter of dropping in at Shelly Beach near Ballina.
Reviewed by Iyan B.
Practical details
Opening hours
Open now- Monday
- Closed
- TuesdayToday
- 07:00 – 15:00
- Wednesday
- 07:00 – 15:00
- Thursday
- 07:00 – 15:00
- Friday
- 07:00 – 15:00
- Saturday
- 07:00 – 15:00
- Sunday
- 07:00 – 15:00
Spot Score
- Reputation
- 80
- Popularity
- 93
- Information quality
- 30
- Category fit
- 70
- Freshness
- 30
Our independent editorial score — not a user rating.
Nearby venues

Ballina Head Lookout
Ballina Head Lookout is a lookout in Lennox Head, Byron Bay. It holds a 4.7-star Google rating from 541 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 65/100.

Capiche
Capiche is a restaurant in Ballina, Byron Bay. It holds a 4.7-star Google rating from 692 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 65/100.

The Belle General
$$The Belle General is a cafe in Ballina, Byron Bay. It holds a 4.5-star Google rating from 645 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 63/100.

Pop Denison Park
Pop Denison Park is a park in Lennox Head, Byron Bay. It holds a 4.6-star Google rating from 303 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 62/100.
More cafes in Byron Bay

Otherside Cafe
Otherside Cafe is a cafe in Byron Bay, Byron Bay. It holds a 4.9-star Google rating from 736 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 68/100.

Baloney's Deli
Baloney's Deli is a cafe in Ocean Shores, Byron Bay. It holds a 4.9-star Google rating from 412 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 67/100.

Old Quarter Coffee Merchants - Ballina
Old Quarter Coffee Merchants - Ballina is a cafe in Ballina, Byron Bay. It holds a 4.9-star Google rating from 328 reviews. Our editorial Spot Score is 66/100.

Manna Haven Cafe
$Modest, church-run cafe with a leafy patio, dispensing vegetarian meals made with local produce.

