The 23 best pet-friendly cafes in Australia

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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.

Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Canberra | Adelaide | Perth | Hobart | Darwin

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.

Puppy at Naked Brew in Sydney
Naked Brew has al fresco tables to dine with your pooch.

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.

people dining at Centennial Homestead with plenty of seats outside
Centennial Homestead is spacious enough to accommodate guests with their fur babies.

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.

a spread of food on the table at Lost and Found cafe, North Sydney
Dine on excellent fare at Lost and Found.

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.

people dining inside Bellboy Cafe in Melbourne, Vic
Bellboy Cafe is light and airy with floor-to-ceiling glass. (Image: Julian Lallo)

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.

people dining al fresco at Fourth Chapter cafe, Prahran
Pull up a chair in the cosy courtyard at Fourth Chapter.

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 cafe exterior of Snag & Brown, Brisbane
Snag & Brown is the perfect pet-friendly cafe for your furry friend.

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.

a dog barely reaches over a jar of treats at the counter of St Coco Cafe
Your doggo won’t be able to resist the treats at St Coco Cafe.

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.

an illustration of a black pug near the door of Little Black Pug Cafe
Little Black Pug Cafe is hard to miss. (Image: Toby’s Estate)

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.

people sitting outside Stellas by the Lake cafe with their dogs
Dog lovers huddle at Stella’s by the Lake.

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).

two people harvesting local produce at the backyard of Two Before Ten cafe
Two Before Ten takes on paddock-to-plate food philosophy.

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.

Dog sitting happily out the front of Peter Rabbit Cafe
Peter Rabbit Cafe 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.

the al fresco dining at Peninsula Farm Cafe
Soak up the enormous grounds and soothing views at Peninsula Farm Cafe.

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.

a man walking with his dog to The Orange Box, North Fremantle
Walk with your pooch to The Orange Box.

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.

a barista preparing drinks at the counter of Sisterhood Cafe
Wind down at Sisterhood Cafe.

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.

baristas preparing coffee at the cafe counter of Laneway Coffee, Darwin, NT
Get your caffeine fix at Laneway Coffee.

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.

people dining inside Ray’s Cafe & Patisserie
Pop into Ray’s Cafe & Patisserie for a coffee.

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

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Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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Two of the best festivals are coming to Ballarat: here’s how to plan for them

(Credit: Tony Evans)

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
    Come for a couple of unmissable festivals, stay for a long, leisurely weekend of wining, dining and exploring all the heritage-rich glory Ballarat has to offer.

    Far from a sleepy town, the historic city of Ballarat is an unexpectedly vibrant cultural and culinary destination. Year-round, it hosts a roster of events and experiences – including the upcoming Ballarat Heritage Festival, a celebration of the city’s past, and the new Ballarat Craft and Design Week, a must for fans of all things handmade and thoughtfully designed.

    Beyond the festivals, there’s a bevy of things to see, do, eat and drink – making a weekend in Ballarat an absolute no-brainer.

    Plus, just 90 minutes away from Melbourne by car along the Western Freeway or an easy train ride from Southern Cross, getting here is simple and stress-free.

    Day 1

    Morning

    Perridak Arts ballarat
    Peruse works by local First Nations artists at Perridak Arts. (Credit: Tony Evans)

    Start your Ballarat jaunt at Johnny Alloo, a beautifully restored cafe harking back to the 1870s with original details and contemporary touches. Order a seasonal plate from the all-day brunch menu alongside a cleverly reimagined ‘cup of tea’ – the cafe’s very own Earl Grey-infused early bird spritz.

    Next, head to Perridak Arts, a First Nations-owned and operated gallery filled with powerful works by local First Nations artists. Your next stop is Hop Lane, an alleyway crowned by a floating canopy of technicoloured umbrellas and centred on Hop Queen, a striking mural of a commanding female figure.

    Afternoon

    The Pottage ballarat
    Create your own artworks at The Pottage. (Credit: Mass Motion)

    Cobb’s Coffee is a firm favourite for consistently good coffee and thoughtful food, making it a solid lunch spot. The cafe’s signature sandwiches and toasties are well worth trying as you take in the heritage surrounds.

    While away your afternoon at The Pottage, where Ballarat ceramicist and social media favourite Shelby Sherritt has just moved into brand-new digs. Try a throwing workshop, or pick a piece of pottery to paint from the extensive collection (the team will post it to you once it’s fired).

    Now it’s time to check into Hotel Vera, the newest boutique accommodation in the city’s already-impressive line-up. The hotel presents a modern spin on Ballarat’s gold rush-era past – think design-led rooms, gold detailing and a curated art collection. There are only seven suites, each as beautifully finished as the next, with high-quality linens and plush furnishings.

    Evening

    Babae hotel vera ballarat
    Sit down to a seven-course feast at Babae. (Credit: Einwick)

    Treat yourself to a pre-dinner drink at Grainery Lane. The saloon-style bar has rich, period-inspired decor (including an original bar top sourced from Chicago) and drinks reminiscent of 1900s classics, crafted with local ingredients.

    Head back to Hotel Vera for a seven-course feast at Babae. This intimate dining room serves up a refined, ever-evolving menu made with exceptional produce and is a truly memorable experience.

    Day 2

    Spencer & Nick Ballarat Craft and Design Week
    Spend the day at Ballarat Craft and Design Week. (Credit: Klapper Films)

    Linger over a slow breakfast at Hotel Vera. You’ll graze your way through a spread of locally sourced treats, from toasted granola and pastries to seasonal fruit, and will need a strong coffee before a busy day at the main event: Ballarat Craft and Design Week.

    This year marks the event’s inauguration, a celebration of artists, makers, designers and manufacturers. It’s a testament to Ballarat’s position as a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art.

    The festival features a thoughtfully curated roster of events and activities, including free talks, hands-on workshops where you can craft your own keepsake, displays, studio tours and more. The central theme is Bound, with a flagship exhibition hosted in Ballarat’s grand and iconic Mining Exchange. The exhibition brings together five immersive projects designed to be touched, explored and experienced.

    Afternoon

    Pancho ballarat
    Discuss your favourite artworks over lunch at Pancho. (Credit Einwick)

    The Craft and Design program continues at The Unicorn Collection. The gallery is hosting Why Are You Here?, an installation presented by artists from the community that centres on the meaning of Ballarat as home.

    Recharge with lunch at Pancho, which turns out vibrant food from across Central and South America. Make sure to order from the specials board, often featuring dishes from more far-flung locations.

    For a top-up of local craftsmanship, a visit to Wootten is a must. This workshop and retail space is a Ballarat institution, making and selling made-to-order and customised footwear alongside a selection of handcrafted leather goods.

    Evening

    Mr Jones restaurant in Ballarat
    Ballarat’s streets contain incredible dining options. (Credit: Tony Evans)

    Book a table at Mr Jones, headed by chef Damian Jones, who’s worked in Michelin-Starred restaurants around the globe. The modern Asian menu changes weekly, but you can always expect the very best ingredients cooked with precision and restraint.

    Finish off your day of art and exploration with a nightcap (and maybe a cheeky late-night snack) at Renard. This intimate and atmospheric cocktail bar does clever drinks alongside French-leaning small plates – we love the smoked trout pate and goat’s cheese doughnuts.

    Day 3

    Morning

    Black Cat Truffles
    Stop into Black Cat Truffles before heading home. (Credit Einwick)

    It’s your final morning in Ballarat (that is, until you inevitably return), so it’s worth making it an unhurried one. Turret Cafe is your best bet for a relaxed and satisfying breakfast, with a produce-driven all-day menu and excellent coffee inside a character-filled setting.

    A wander around the leafy Ballarat Botanical Gardens, followed by an excursion to Ross Creek Gallery, is the ideal way to stretch your legs after your morning feast. The gardens are replete with seasonal flower displays and heritage-listed trees, while the gallery is hosting a group exhibition centred on printmakers from across the region as part of Craft and Design Week.

    Farewell your weekend escape – and fuel up for the journey home – at Black Cat Truffles. True to its name, the restaurant serves truffle-infused dishes (alongside regular fare) and the surrounding farm hosts truffle hunts and experiences. Pair your meal with a drop from the on-site Meredith Wines cellar door.

    Can’t make it for Ballarat Craft + Design Week? Time this itinerary for the annual Ballarat Heritage Weekend, returning 21-24 May, or the magical Ballarat Winter Festival, 27 June – 19 July. Start planning at visitballarat.com.au.