The Gallery Cafe — Restaurant in Ballina

Possibly the worst experience I have had here. We looked online before going at the menu, to see if it suit my family and for pricing, only to find when we sat down and got the menu the prices were different. Online had $19 for a burger the menu in our hands said $23. When we raised this issue, we were told that it’s because of the old owners had something to do with the online, and that they have been working on it for 2 years, yes fine we will pay what is on the menu in front of us. We all had the same menu, though each had different descriptions for what came on the burgers and such, we raised this issue as well and got told that some are old menus, yes fine. But when we asked for no pickles on a burger she said no pickles of cucumber, we advised that yes they would like cucumber, but not pickles (they are the same vegetable, but one has been pickled in brine, I know the difference) I then explained that no we would still like the cucumber, and she said they are the same thing. on the menu it had “dill pickles, cucumber” i explained the difference and she said no here they are the same, and I asked if we could have fresh cucumber on the burger and she said if they have it they will. This whole ordeal was a little rude from the very beginning. We also asked for two cans of coke, which were each brought out in a glass, no cans. From where we were sitting we could see directly into the back of the front desk, she had poured part of one can into one glass and the rest into the second, then filled the second glass up with the 1/4 of the second can. My mum requested the rest of the can which she brought over, though for $7.50 a drink you would want the whole can. Food was ok, wasn’t worth the price tag that went with it, could get much better food elsewhere. For three people and some chips cost over $100, they had boards with lunch specials that were the same thing...

Arrived at the Gallery at 9:45am for breakfast today and ordered virtually straight away, 10:30am still no breakfast, waitress come to clear table next to us and asked how everything was. We informed her that we haven't received anything yet, when waitress come back we were told that our order hadn't been placed and that they were going to be rushed through. Finally received our meals at 11:05am.

Breakfast looked like it was just thrown on the plate, extremely small portions and totally disgusting and it was cold. 2 x eggs your way on turkish bread......scrambled eggs tasted like fish, one small piece of bacon for 2 meals. 2 x Eggs benidict, again disgusting, both meals were cold. The owner come to clear the table and ask how the meals were.....we explained how disappointed we were in the meals provided. Her response absolutely infuriated us.......she just laughed and said life goes on.

Final straw was when we went to pay the bill, today being a Sunday there was a 10% surcharge, our bill came to a total of approximately $104.95.

When received the the receipt we noticed that we had been charged extra for scrambled eggs, when we asked for an explanation again the owner laughed and told us that to make scrambled eggs you need 2 eggs.

And the only discount we received was $4, to say we were disappointed and disgusted is a total understatement. We DEFINITELY won't be recommending this place to ANYONE and will NEVER go...

After having several amazing meals here about 6 years ago, it was on our list to come back again when we returned to Ballina for a visit. Last time we were here the place was packed any weekday we went but for brekky on Father’s Day you could have got a walk in table no worries and based on it experience I can see why. Can’t fault the staff. Attentive and service was excellent. Enough staff to man a small army. Needs a dedicated kids menu. Only 2 options which were given verbally- nothing on the menu- and they weren’t great meals. Kids didn’t enjoy them. 1 thick stodgy pancake, crème fresh and a single strawberry with some strawberry jam. Pretty average. Seemed like they had just been warmed up in a microwave Adult meals were nice but I thought small for the price- eggs Benedict- 1 piece of toast, 2 eggs and bacon. Noting to write home about. Coffee was good so that was a win This used to be the place to go but not so anymore. Would I go again? Maybe, but without the kids as I’d try and find somewhere that catered better for them if I had them. Perhaps I’d go for a coffee on the deck or lawn but not sure I’d...