The 23 Best Pet-Friendly Cafes In Australia

Slurp up a morning brew alongside your furry companion with a pet-friendly cafe in your nearest capital city.

Coffee and contemplation – an AM prerequisite for almost every Aussie. If you’re a fur parent, devoted to sharing life’s sweetest moments with your buddy, caffeine pit stops are also a great opportunity to get your pet out of the house. Presenting the ultimate list of pet-friendly cafes to help you and your beloved unwind in comfort right around Australia.

Featuring sprawling grounds (with plenty of sniffs), pet-friendly treats (a puppaccino, perhaps?) and silky-smooth human-only brews, these must-visits are made for you and your boo.

Pet-friendly cafes in Sydney, NSW

Naked Brew

Treat your pooch to their very own ‘Doggie Menu’ at Naked Brew in Sydney’s inner west.

Home to the city’s cult doggie donut, made with unsalted peanut butter and chicken stock plus yoghurt frosting, ice cream, waffle and smoothie, each exclusively finessed for pups, it’s a pet-friendly cafe with all the bells and whistles.

cookies and doggie donut treats in jars at Naked Brew, Sydney — Spy the jar of doggie donut treats at Naked Brew.

Address: 110 Swanson Street, Erskineville, NSW

Centennial Homestead

Grab a table on Centennial Homestead’s massive deck, or a comfy couch on the lush grass, for serene views of Centennial Park in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

It’s also located across the road from the park’s off-leash area, so you can get their exercise in during a single visit.

Water bowls within the pet-friendly cafe’s ‘puppy parking’ lot out front are also super convenient.

dogs eating from bowl at Centennial Homestead in Sydney, NSW — Centennial Homestead has puppy parking out front.

Address: 1 Grand Drive, Centennial Park, NSW

Lost and Found

Sucker for high tea? Give your pampered pal the ultimate day out at Lost and Found. The team put on a ‘Doggy High Tea’, priced at $45 per pet, every Sunday when you order their human version.

While yours includes typical tiny sandwiches and pastries, theirs arrives in equally extravagant fashion, decked out with pet-friendly garnishes and whipped with safe ingredients to satisfy delicate bellies.

two dogs enjoying the doggy high tea at Lost and Found cafe, North Sydney — Bring your pup to elevate your high tea experience.

Address: 223 Miller Street, North Sydney, NSW

Pet-friendly cafes in Melbourne, Vic

Bellboy Cafe

Munch on New York-inspired bagels while your furry friend laps up puppaccinos and dehydrated treats at Bellboy Cafe.

Melbourne’s top inner-city pet-friendly cafe is fitted with floor-to-ceiling glass so it’s plenty light and airy inside, but while you’re seated outside with your pal, you’re in good proximity to the Instagram-friendly dog kennel to help make memories of your visit.

brunch dishes on the table at Bellboy Cafe in Melbourne, Vic — Enjoy brunch all day at Bellboy Cafe.

Address: 131 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East, Vic

Fourth Chapter

Treat your bestie to peanut butter on toast or freshly baked doggie biscuits at Fourth Chapter on High Street (recently named the coolest street in the world) in trendy Prahran.

An awesome human menu spans healthy breakfast and lunch bowls, American-style comfort food and generously prepared cafe classics including the big brekkie, smashed avo and bacon and egg roll. Keep your pet on a leash and grab a seat on the sidewalk or in the cosy courtyard.

burger and fries at Fourth Chapter cafe, Prahran — Dine on generous serves.

Address: 385 High Street, Prahran, Vic

Pet-friendly cafes in Brisbane, Qld

Snag & Brown

Venture south about 15 minutes on road from Brisbane’s CBD to take advantage of Snag & Brown’s very own, albeit small, dog park.

The pet-friendly cafe dishes up puppaccinos in wide, low-rise bowls (a genius move for doggos) and invites off-leash frolicking within the park, so it’s a perfect morning out for your furry friend. We humans can choose from a menu of all-day breakfast classics and sweet treats.

a pup on leash sitting on the floor at Snag & Brown, Brisbane — Pups are welcome to explore the doggie park off-leash.

Address: 97 Ekibin Road, Annerley, Qld

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St Coco Cafe

St Coco Cafe’s contemporary fit out, complete with a pet-friendly al fresco space dotted with picnic tables and retro-print umbrellas, unleashes a very chilled morning out in suburban Brissie.

Plus, your fur baby’s forever-rumbling belly is (momentarily) sorted as doggie ice cream and puppaccinos beg to be indulged in.

a dog poses in front of St Coco Cafe — St Coco Cafe is a place for pet lovers.

Address: Shop 8B 3-5 Cupania Street, Daisy Hill, Qld

Little Black Pug Cafe

Soak up the city’s year-round sunshine with an outdoor table at Little Black Pug Cafe in the southern suburbs of Brisbane.

The pet-friendly cafe loads up smashing sweet and savoury favourites as well as doggie meatballs made with grain-free beef and vegetables, plus a ‘Puggy-cino’ in honour of the team’s adorable namesake muse, Bowie.

a plate of pancakes with sliced fruits at Little Black Pug Cafe — Pancakes are always a good idea. (Image: Shaelah Ariotti)

Address: 6/1297 Logan Road, Mount Gravatt, Qld

Pet-friendly cafes in Canberra, ACT

Stella’s by the Lake

Wouldn’t it be nice to sink beers with your best bud? Stella’s by the Lake, located in suburban Canberra right next to Lake Ginninderra and close to one of the best skateboard-friendly walks in the city, is answering prayers.

Offering a healthy ‘Dog Beer’ made with turmeric and beef marrow leg bones, the pet-friendly cafe doesn’t stop there. Peanut-buttered bones, puppaccinos and donuts are also ready to be devoured in style.

an old lady petting a dog outside Stellas by the Lake cafe in Canberra — Spot adorable pets when you dine here.

Address: 1 Beissel Street, Belconnen, ACT

Two Before Ten

Keep your pal toasty when the mercury drops at Two Before Ten, located right next to a great dog-friendly walk in Aranda (so you can squeeze in their daily walk).

Dog blankets, created from old coffee sacks, water bowls and a bunch of pet-friendly seating options make it a comfortable pitstop for pooches. For humans, the cafe’s paddock-to-plate food philosophy ensures effortless nourishment.

pouring honey over a dish at Two Before Ten cafe — Indulge in exquisite delights at Two Before Ten. (Image: Pew Pew Studio)

Address: 68 Bandjalong Crescent, Aranda, ACT

Local Press Cafe

Stroll the Kingston Foreshore to find Local Press Cafe, a pet-friendly destination with serious views. Puppaccinos are on the menu and water bowls are filled high as a delicious menu packed with seasonal produce and excellent coffee satisfies two-legged patrons.

Address: Corner Eastlake Parade and Giles Street, Kingston Foreshore, ACT

Pet-friendly cafes in Adelaide, SA

Fare and Square

Let your little bud peruse Fare and Square’s incredible ‘Furnu’ – a menu for fur babies. The popular Adelaide cafe’s clever pet-friendly offering includes a ‘Furchino’ sprinkled with carob, poached eggs on brown rice, the ‘Beethoven Bolognese’ of beef mince, veg and pasta, a ‘Scooby-Doo Stew’ of chicken tenderloins, veg and brown rice, and ‘Goofy Snacks’ which are 50-gram portions of dehydrated chicken. Delish.

Address: 6/8 Wellington Square, North Adelaide, SA

Peter Rabbit Cafe

Featuring a colourful garden area for pets to flex their mightiest sniffs, Peter Rabbit Cafe on the west end of Hindley Street is a pet-friendly winner.

Let them people and puppy watch as you seize the always-atmospheric venue’s menu of breakfast and lunch classics plus creative, globally inspired dishes.

friends dining in tables under huge yellow umbrellas at Peter Rabbit Cafe — Nab a table in the serene garden area.

Address: 234-244 Hindley Street, Adelaide, SA

The Banksia Tree Cafe

Explore the charms of Port Adelaide before dropping into a well-deserved break at The Banksia Tree Cafe. The pet-friendly spot offers a fur-friendly menu of peanut butter-rimmed puppaccinos and treats, including rocky road and ice cream cones. Choose a spot on the patio where dogs are always welcome.

Address: 147 St. Vincent Street, Port Adelaide, SA

Pet-friendly cafes in Perth, WA

Two Dogs Laughing, WA

It’s a fact – puppaccinos taste better when they’re free of charge. It’s why Two Dogs Laughing, a suburban pet-friendly cafe in Perth‘s Fremantle, is a smash hit with fur parents.

a woman with her dog at standing at the entrance door of Two Dogs Laughing cafe — Two Dogs Laughing is a hit with fur parents.

An interior mural, featuring a guitar-strumming pooch sporting a sombrero, cements this spot’s canine-friendly status. Furry buds are welcome to sprawl out under the legs of al fresco tables and chairs as an all-day menu of breakfast done with a twist – think scrambled eggs with sambal and poached eggs with kimchi – roll out of the kitchen.

dogs welcome people tolerated illustration at Two Dogs Laughing cafe — Doggos are more than welcome at this suburban pet-friendly cafe in Fremantle.

Address: 199 South Street, Beaconsfield, WA

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Peninsula Farm Cafe

Craving space? Let your pal soak up the enormous grounds and soothing views at Peninsula Farm Cafe on the banks of the Swan River. It’s a stunning spot, set within a National Trust venue so expect manicured sights from every angle.

You’ll keep your fur babe happy in the outdoor area where healthy dog treats flow and families linger longer thanks to an onsite cubby house.

two dogs sitting on the grounds of Peninsula Farm Cafe — Keep your fur babe happy in the outdoor area.

Address: 2C Johnson Road, Marylands, WA

The Orange Box

Life’s a beach every day at The Orange Box on beautiful Leighton Beach, and pets are always welcome.

Whether you’re snuggling your little mate in one of the venue’s hammocks or beach chairs or letting them stretch their legs on the oval next door, it’s a sensational pitstop in one of the city’s prettiest locales.

a dog posing for a picture at The Orange Box cafe in North Fremantle — The Orange Box is a pet-friendly pitstop for pups.

Address: 14 Leighton Beach Boulevard, North Fremantle, WA

Pet-friendly cafes in Hobart, Tas

Room for a Pony

It’s a cafe but make sure you visit in the afternoon as pet-friendly sunset sessions at Room for a Pony in Hobart are always epic. Your furry pal will lap up the outdoor area, often littered with four-legged friends, as you indulge in the venue’s menu of creative dishes including a bacon, cheese and kimchi butty and a Chinese fried chilli omelette. When it’s wine o’clock, their selection never disappoints.

Address: 338 Elizabeth Street, Hobart, Tas

Sisterhood

Home to an undercover, outdoor dog area with heaters, Sisterhood in Sandy Bay, right next to touristy Battery Point, is fabulous.

Before you leave, check out the main section’s Instagram-perfection fit out and don’t miss the pet-friendly cafe’s incredible coffee art atop every style of steamed brew. Puppaccinos and doggy treats fly around the joint on high rotation.

two dogs licking out of a cup at Sisterhood Cafe — Treat your fur babies to a date at Sisterhood.

Address: 4/48 King Street, Sandy Bay, Tas

Giddy Up Food Store

Go for the human-style bottomless brunch, stay for the pet-friendly fun. Giddy Up Food Store in Sandy Bay is a popular brunch spot that also welcomes four-legged friends. The courtyard offers your pal good space to stretch their legs as a rotating door of local canines frequent this hot spot daily.

Address: 50 Princes Street, Sandy Bay, Tas

Pet-friendly cafes in Darwin, NT

Laneway Coffee

Indulge in Darwin’s thriving cafe culture as your furry friend remains right by your side at Laneway Coffee in Parap. The pet-friendly cafe is abuzz with crowds who can’t get enough of the menu’s wide range of healthy bowls, breakfast hits and burgers.

As for your little mate? There are often doggy donuts in stock and puppaccinos are an every-visit must.

handing out a doggie donut to a pup at Laneway Coffee, Darwin, NT — Give your pup a doggie donut.

Address: 4/1 Vickers Street, Parap, NT

The Boatshed Coffee House

Keep your pet on a leash during your visit to the Boatshed Coffee House in Cullen Bay. Overlooking the sparkling water, choose from the menu’s breakfast and lunch dishes, spanning tacos, toasties, wraps, fresh salads, traditional crepes and more.

It’s a sun-drenched spot, with good coffee, for a relaxed morning together before letting them run like crazy at the nearby Kahlin Oval.

Address: 54-56 Marina Boulevard, Cullen Bay, NT

Ray’s Cafe & Patisserie

Nestled within busy Smith Street, Ray’s Cafe & Patisserie is an understated spot with an outstanding menu and some of the best coffee in town.

Your pet is welcome to sit by your side in the surprisingly large courtyard as you pick your poison from a range of quality pastries and larger breakfast and lunch dishes.

a dessert plate at Ray’s Cafe & Patisserie, Darwin City — Pair your coffee with French toast.

Address: 66 Smith Street, Darwin City, NT

Rest and recuperate in the East Gippsland region, a haven of natural hot springs, seasonal festivals and really tasty things to eat.

It’s about this time of year that the buzz of the summer holidays is well and truly behind us, and the pressures of the day-to-day are starting to pile up. The solution? A proper weekend escape, ideally one with a focus on rest, relaxation and total reset.

East Gippsland delivers all three in spades. Here, you’ll find charming towns, natural scenery alive with wildlife and easygoing experiences – think steamy hot springs and idyllic lakefront stays that practically force you to unwind.

The Gippsland Lakes are one of the region’s highlights, a sprawling network of glassy waterways with a seriously calming atmosphere. Spend a few days here, and you’ll be well and truly recharged.

Here’s where to eat, stay, explore and unwind for a wellness-focused weekend in this gorgeous region.

Getting there

aerial of lakes entrance — Visit lakeside villages like Lakes Entrance.

East Gippsland is a patchwork of towns, each with its own personality: coastal gems like Marlo and Mallacoota, lakeside villages including Metung, Paynesville and Lakes Entrance and a smattering of inland communities.

From Melbourne, getting to each is easy. The region can be reached by car in around four hours, just a smooth drive along the Princes Highway.

If you’re driving to or from Sydney, many of the towns sit along the legendary Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive, which winds its way through Lakes Entrance, Orbost, Marlo and Mallacoota.

Having a car makes exploring the region a breeze, as you can pull over at farm gates, take scenic detours and go at your own relaxing pace.

Winter delights

Bruthen Medieval event at East Gippsland Winter Festival — Experience that East Gippsland Winter Festival. (Credit: Naomi Rahim)

Winter is a particularly good time to visit. The East Gippsland Winter Festival is a raucous celebration of wintery food, drink, music and experiences, taking place over an entire month and in different towns.

Expect re-enactments, games, roving performances and fiery displays at the Bruthen Medieval event. Feast your way through regional bites and watch live wood carving and a hotly contested dumpling-eating competition in the waterside town of Metung. Head to Lakes Entrance for one of the festival’s signature events, Lakes Lights: Gardens of the Galaxy – a slightly cosmic and totally mesmerising display of lights. Or book a seat at the Nicholson River Trestle Bridge Long Lunch. This long-table feast stretches across the entire bridge, with sweeping river views and top-tier local produce.

Where to stay

Metung is also a much-loved destination for natural hot springs – warm mineral pools believed to restore and detoxify the system. Here, you’ll find a network of tranquil springs fed with water sourced 500m below the surface, all at varying temperatures but with a healthy mix of soothing minerals and trace elements. Each looks over the stunning surrounding lakes, only adding to the sense of serenity.

Extend the relaxation by booking into Metung Hot Springs. The property is home to a collection of glamping tents – either perched on the hillside or overlooking the lagoon – that deliver after-hours access to the springs. These are no ordinary tents; expect plush linens, beautifully curated furnishings, warm service and a complimentary gourmet breakfast delivered daily.

Alternatively, book a night or two at Idle Lake House – a gorgeously appointed hideaway in Lakes Entrance. The aesthetic is moody, modern and very cool, and the property is situated right on the water’s edge with floor-to-ceiling windows that immerse you in the surroundings.

Where to eat

table spread at Sodafish in east gippsland victoria — Sit down at the floating restaurant, Sodafish. (Credit: We Are Explorers)

Given its wealth of fresh seafood and exceptional produce, East Gippsland is home to a vast selection of eateries, with options to suit all tastes and budgets.

For something a little bit fancy, Sardine Dining in Paynesville is a must-visit. The hatted restaurant serves a seasonal seafood-focused menu made with premium local ingredients, while the adjoining wine bar is a top spot for a regional drop and a light snack.

If you’re after a relaxed bite, Sodafish in Lakes Entrance is your best bet. This floating restaurant sits right atop the water, with a vibrant and fresh menu centred on locally caught seafood. Anything off the menu is delicious, but the whole roasted snapper and locally sourced fish and chips are standouts.

Or luxuriate with a long afternoon at the nearby Slipway. This waterfront dining precinct hosts a mix of vendors serving casual food, craft drinks and regionally made goods.

Exploring the great outdoors and local culture

wild koala in the tree — Keep an eye out for the locals. (Credit: Tyson Mayr)

No wellness weekend would be complete without immersing yourself in the beauty and tranquillity of East Gippsland’s outdoors.

Head to Raymond Island – a small island just off Paynesville – to spot local koalas along the Koala Trail. This two-kilometre stretch is one of the few places where you can see koalas doing their thing in their natural habitat, with more than 200 living on the island. Leave the car in Paynesville; the trail can only be accessed on foot.

Next, explore the Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail, which starts in Colquhoun and ends in Lakes Entrance. Across 23 kilometres, you’ll spot native flora and fauna (including lace goannas) and pass by remnants of the tramway that once serviced timber workers in the area.

Finish up your East Gippsland jaunt with a visit to Gunaikurnai Cultural Hub. The centre houses an Aboriginal Art Gallery displaying contemporary works by Aboriginal artists, and a Bush Cafe serving breakfast and lunch classics and excellent cakes. Pick up a slice and a coffee for your trip back to the city.

Start planning the ultimate wellness escape in Gippsland Lakes at visitgippsland.com.au.