Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: French (27) staff (16) time (16) service (14) experience (13) Ballina (12) restaurant (12) delicious (10) duck (10) amazing (10)
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  • 5/5 Bill B. 5 months ago on Google
    Superb, traditional French cuisine. Prepared to the highest level. The smoothest, most perfectly balanced pate we have ever had. Relaxing and non pretentious atmosphere. Our wine was decanted at the table, a rarity these days. All staff were experienced and performed their roles seamlessly. Cannot recommend Che Bon highly enough. We'll be back soon.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Treaci G. 5 years ago on Google
    The food was incredible, I loved the way it was a set price for 3 course meal, with several choices in each course. Although it would be nice to have at least two options to choose from with the vegetarian. The staff very welcoming, attentive and pleasant. It would have been better though if it was one waiter/waitress serving us at our table though, as it got confusing. As one person came to take our drink order, but we weren't ready yet, then someone else came and took the order, then the original person came back to see if we were ready yet, and we told him it's been taken. Either that, or better communication between the staff. Not a complaint, but merely a suggestion. I thought it was great that they checked on us, without being obvious to see if we had finished each course, and I was appreciative that they didn't clear the table until we were all finished our food. The staff came in a timely manner to see if our food was ok. Seriously, that was fantastic. Thank you, I probably won't go back again, not because it wasn't nice, it was in fact very tasty and delicious, but because I wouldn't want to eat the same vegetarian dishes again, being that they only had one choice. Thank you.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Samuel F. 9 months ago on Google
    Excellent experience, must be the best steak I’ve had! My fiancé had the duck and thought it was delightful. Very impressed 👍
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Demetre M. 9 months ago on Google
    Che Bon is awesome start to finish. It's an 11 out of 10 for food, service and pricing, but it's a 8.5 out of 10 for lighting. It's VERY bright in there and is the only point deduction they get. The service is outstanding - ALL of the staff were very knoweldgeable and did their jobs perfectly. Coming from an ex hospo background it's rare that you can go somewhere and relax completely. These guys did not hover. They were there when you wanted them and absent when you wanted time to yourself. The food is OUTSTANDING (doubly so for the price). It comes out quickly, it was perfectly cooked and delicious. The wine selection is great and the bar staff really know what they are doing. We're very lucky to have this place in Ballina, actually, it's too good for this place :) They also have a gift shop. Go there. You'll love it. And if hassle the owner enough about the lighting, this will be the best place in Ballina. :)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Bill M. 1 year ago on Google
    The food is spot on and so is the service. Their wine selection is small but it's quality,if I had an issue it would be that our mains was delivered literally 2 minutes after our entree was cleared and even though they said take your time it doesn't work as your main gets cold. Great value for money and the next time we are in Ballina will go again but will be sure to tell them to give us a 20m break. Make sure you take your appetite with you as servings are generous.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alessandro Z. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely amazing! Me and my partner went there for lunch and we were so happy about the food quality and service that we came back for dinner as well, also because lunch and dinner have two different menu and we wanted to try both! The venue is gorgeous, and has also a little shop where you can buy some French product! All the food is home made, and you can definitely feel that it’s a family run business for the attention in any single dish and the staff that let you feel cuddle all the time during your staying!! Lunch: we had the baguette with shaved ham butter and pickles (jambon beurre), a ban with pulled beef (big bon), a bowl of French fries (it’s a must) and a family recipe crème brûlé 🤤 Dinner: we started with 1/2 dozen of oysters, the famous French escargots (🐌) and homemade duck patè, eye fillet (legendary) and duck confit as main, and a mocha ganache as dessert, plus few glasses of delicious French wine 🤤 You can taste in every single dishes the passion and love that this family run business is putting in it, and next time we are in the area, we definitely will come back to Che Bon Restaurant! Chapeaux 🇫🇷

  • 3/5 Leon K. 5 months ago on Google
    Look, we don’t want to be too critical as we love this area and want to support small business in the region but seriously the food quality is not great. The salad was straight out of the Wollies packet and the duck pate is exactly what you would get from any supermarket. The main course (fillet steak) came out cold and the second main course (peppers) were certainly not what you would get in a French restaurant. Wife was very polite to the staff but in all honesty it was very ordinary….!!!! The wine menu is very simple but not great. Tried to get a taste of the Pinot which tasted like the bottle was open for a few days :) Anyway, overall experience wasn’t fantastic. More like a dressed up French restaurant trying to be like a French restaurant. A table cloth on the sticky table would make some difference. Please take note…. Definitely, won’t be back again. Best wishes to the Chef and staff

  • 5/5 Elizabeth G. 6 months ago on Google
    Wonderful friendly service, great food and atmosphere. Entrees were unique and delicious. So glad we visited. The store connected was well stocked with French products and wine.

  • 5/5 Kosta 7 months ago on Google
    I had an incredible experience at the French restaurant in the heart of this small town. The food was absolutely delicious, and the staff were not only welcoming but also very friendly and smiley. A 5-star gem!

  • 2/5 Sharon G. 10 months ago on Google
    Quality of meals has reduced but price point remains the same. Bit disappointing, we used to really enjoy the food at Che Bon but lately not so much - taste like a glorified pub meal but at the price point of fine dining. We spent $300 on dinner for two and while the food was not terrible, it was nothing special (and it used to be). Steak tartar with horseradish was not very nice, very large portion with lots of undressed/unseasoned rocket on the side. Pate was very nice, just had to ask for more bread which they did for us no dramas. Steak was okay nothing special, chips were burnt, same big portion of rocket by itself. Stuffed pepper was very bad I had a few bites and left the rest. Creme brulee was soft and did not crack on top. Citrus mousse was really nice. And cocktails were really good. Hope Che Bon can update the menu and return to their former glory soon ♡

  • 5/5 mike m. 7 months ago on Google
    We have fallen in love with this restaurant. Normally only have lunch there and have taken many friends, and not one complaint. It never disappoints. If you want great food at good prices then you should give them a try.

  • 5/5 Gwen S. 1 year ago on Google
    Had prawn salad. Good number of prawns which were shelled, with head & tail attached. Very easy for my elderly friend to shell. Excellent service, very friendly. Loved the lychee martini.

  • 5/5 Robert S. 1 year ago on Google
    We had the $52 option which gives you a choice of either entree and main or dessert and main. We shared entree and dessert and that was plenty.

  • 5/5 Raf A. 11 months ago on Google
    We recently had the privilege of dining at Che Bon, a French restaurant tucked away in the charming town of Ballina, and it was an experience that transcended the ordinary. From the moment we walked in, we were enveloped in an atmosphere reminiscent of a quaint Parisian bistro, complete with the warm, inviting ambiance that is so quintessentially French. The food at Che Bon is a celebration of French gastronomy. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared with the freshest ingredients, and the menu is a delightful fusion of traditional French staples and innovative culinary explorations. The Steak au Poivre was a revelation, the beef tender and succulent, bathed in a rich, peppery sauce that was a symphony of flavors. The Stuffed Peppers, a vibrant medley of bell peppers filled with a savory stuffing, were cooked to perfection, each ingredient retaining its unique flavor while contributing to the overall harmony of the dish. However, the standout was the Seafood Platter. This dish, featuring fresh Prawns and Mussels, was an extraordinary experience. The seafood was fresh and succulent, the accompanying sauces aromatic and flavorful, and the presentation was simply stunning. It was, in essence, a taste of the French seaside served on a platter. The service at Che Bon was equally impressive. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, striking the perfect balance. They were knowledgeable about the menu, offering insightful recommendations that enhanced our dining experience. Their passion for their work was evident in their attention to detail, from the beautifully set tables to the perfectly timed course transitions. To conclude the meal, we indulged in the Crème Brûlée. This classic French dessert was a delight, with a perfectly caramelized top giving way to a creamy, vanilla-infused custard. It was a sweet ending to a truly memorable meal. In conclusion, Che Bon is a must-try in the heart of Ballina. It offers an authentic French dining experience, complete with excellent food and extraordinary service. Whether you're a lover of French cuisine or simply a food enthusiast looking for a memorable dining experience, Che Bon is a must-visit. Bon Appétit!

  • 5/5 Toni M. 1 year ago on Google
    Food was amazing, staff were so friendly and helpful. Thank you Pascale for indulging me with my rather rusty French. Next time we are in Ballina we will definitely be making another visit to Che Bon!

  • 5/5 Lonny M. 1 year ago on Google
    Very rustic, authentic, down to earth, good portioned country French food! None of the pretentiousness you see in 90% of French restaurants these days! Highly rate the duck meatball sandwich.

  • 5/5 laura R. 1 year ago on Google
    This little French restaurant in Ballina is so so good, the moment we walked through the doors of the che bon it had this amazing vibe, it was super homely. You could tell it was a family run business, first of all it was 11:30am we came here for lunch however that was not going to stop me from having a lychee martini! I had the pulled beef bun, it was full of flavour it had Swiss cheese on it also with a side of salad , my partner had the ham and pickle baguette with a side of salad, the waiter said we must try the home Made fries, they where hands down the best chips iv ever had and the vegan aioli is next level. We shared the grand mothers crème brûlée, it was not overly sweet like I have had in the past it was well balanced! My partner looks at me with his puppy dog eyes and said let come here for dinner, so we booked for 7:30, we walked into the restaurant it was busy and still had an amazing vibe, we had 6 fresh oysters to share, now dinner menus are 2 course or 3 course, We got the two course at first we had the duck pâté it was so amazing, second entree was the escargot it was so yummy full of butter garlic and parsley! For the mains I chose the steak it was cooked to perfection and it was good quality beef! The mushroom sauce was so yummy! My partner choose the duck confit it was quiet nice, the gravy was quite a unique taste with orange through it. It also was delicious. The waiter came over and said any more space.we couldn’t say no. The food was so amazing that we had to have another dessert we had the the mocha Grenache it was rich was good to share! What this chef is doing should not be missed. There is also a little shop inside to that sells French stuff most of its home made like pate, James, wines and lots more. Support this family run business it’s amazing! There home made salad dressing is fantastic we ended up buying a bottle to take back to Melbourne with us :-) can not wait to come back here again!

  • 5/5 Belinda L. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely the best dining experience we’ve had in a very long time. Delicious food! Home made fries and tomato sauce… YuM! Delightful service! Staff that smile and really understand their food. We will definitely be back next time we are in Ballina.

  • 5/5 Tori S. 1 year ago on Google
    Che Bon serves the most delicious French cuisine. My partner & I enjoyed the Patè, soup, house made bread, pork, duck, crème brûlée & the chocolate bomb. All dishes were perfect in size, flavour & presentation. The staff were lovely & all had a passion for the food they were serving. We will be back again & again.

  • 5/5 Chloe C. 1 year ago on Google
    Che Bon was fantasic. Warm and friendly greeting on arrival, took us in earlier than our booking time. Staff were so warm, checking in on our meal and time there. Food was perfect, we both had the 3 course with a glass of red wine. I had the pate for entree, my partner the prawn salad. For main, steak and duck and dessert creme brulee. All meals were delicious, can not fault any of it. Highly recommend. Wish I lived closer, it would be my go to.

  • 5/5 Debora K. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely food and staff is very friendly who look after us. Nice gift shop attached. They are dog friendly - and this is always a plus.

  • 5/5 Allanah C. 1 year ago on Google
    I had a great meal here recently and want to share - I'm coeliac so sometimes finding safe gluten free food can be a challenge particularly outside of major cities. When I asked about gluten free options on the menu and how safe they were from cross-contamination, the waitress asked if I was coeliac, and then excitedly told me that everything on the menu with the exception of the normal bread was ok, and they were really across how to prepare food safely. The food and service was all amazing - it's so good to be able to eat at an authentic French restaurant in a regional town! I highly recommend Che Bon for anyone looking for a nice meal out. Thank you Che Bon, we will be back next time we are in town!

  • 5/5 Mark B. 1 year ago on Google
    I love this Restuarant! Fantastic food, wine and service. If you can go Wednesday night for the steak special, hand cut real chips (I’m English this is important!) and a steak cooked to perfection.

  • 5/5 Michael S. 1 year ago on Google
    What a wonderful experience. The staff are exceptional, the atmosphere wonderful and the food fantastic. The signature steak melted in the mouth and the duck was authentic. A tasty Rhone Grenache complimented the food perfectly.

  • 5/5 L F. 1 year ago on Google
    Friends took us to this beautiful restaurant while we were down. They told us it was their favourite and it did not disappoint. Amazing food. Amazing atmosphere. Friendly service. Will come to dine there every time we are in Ballina and have already recommended it to friends and family. Well done and thank you.

  • 4/5 Rob S. 2 years ago on Google
    Thoroughly enjoyed the lunch time takeaway menu, were able to dine alfresco on their balcony. Highly recommended. Bon appetit!!

  • 5/5 Alissou 3 years ago on Google
    I’m french and was craving good food like we do at home. Ché bon brought me back to my local bistro back in France. Home made fries (the best), a fantastic Bordeaux to go with my steak. And omg the sauce! The dessert “fondant au chocolat” was to die for. Lovely staff super professional. Che bon is a must do when you visit Ballina!

  • 5/5 Ian B. 2 years ago on Google
    We have been coming to Che Bon for years now. Any date night, or any night away from the kids, this is our go to. Amazing French cuisine every time!! Amazing beef, snails are divine, service on point and drinks are delicious. Can't wait for the next time.

  • 5/5 glenn s. 2 years ago on Google
    The best steak I have had in long time.Medium rare.The whole experience with the owners was very helpful with the French wines. The pate was to Die for.The cream burlee was spectacular we just swaped from burlee to the chocolate moose and enjoyed both All made on site recommended this restaurant to anyone visiting Ballina.

  • 5/5 Andre G. 2 years ago on Google
    Fantastic family run restaurant. Lots of locals treated like old friends. Very welcoming attentive service. Generous portions. We’ll definitely return when back in Ballina.

  • 5/5 Kye W. 2 years ago on Google
    Staff were filled with vibrant energy, great experience and filled with knowledge about every question we had towards the menu. All courses were absolutely incredible, if you are sceptical on the snails! Give them a try, they’re absolutely delicious. Pascal assisted us with a minor issue with one meal, she fixed our concerns so quickly and made our experience remain comfortable and go on to be nothing but amazing. Have come here since Fernleigh, and will continue to dine in such an amazing venue and environment. Thankyou Che Bon


Call +61 2 6687 8221 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
    • ✓️ Free of charge street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Identifies as women-owned

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