Wharf Bar& Restaurant

Set on the Richmond River waterfront at Ballina, this bar and restaurant trades on the view and on the day's seafood, alongside house-made pasta, wood-fired pizza and premium meats. Dinner runs Thursday through Sunday, with the kitchen open into the evening and a fully licensed bar carrying Australian and international wines, local beers and cocktails. It's an independent, single-site operation rather than a resort dining room or a chain, and the cooking is straightforward and produce-led rather than fussy. Families, groups and couples all fit here, whether that means a casual plate at the bar or a longer riverside meal as the light drops over the water. For an unpretentious evening in the centre of town, with water on the doorstep and a proper drinks list, it's a dependable local choice.