16 Cafes That Allow Dogs & How to Prepare Your Pooch
Fact: Many dogs LOVE dates. So, if you’re considering bringing your four-legged best friend to a pet-friendly cafe, there’s no time like the present to dive into the world of doggo dates! Many dog-friendly cafes offer meals for you and options for your dog to enjoy, too. Others will treat your dog like royalty while you both enjoy a bit of quality time together. In this article, we’ll cover the most popular dog cafes throughout Australia and give you some pointers on prepping your puppa for the experience.
Top Dog-Friendly Cafe in Australia
Whether you’re on the west coast, east coast, or somewhere in between, there are plenty of cafes that will invite your dog in with open arms! We gathered some of the country’s favourite spots and gave you a taste of what to expect when you arrive.
Cafes that Cater to You and Your Dog
1. Dog House Dog Café
195 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066
If you want to make your dog’s day, this is where to take them to play. The Doghouse Dog Cafe has a wide variety of raw food entries on their dog menu, along with BARF, offal, bones, and they even have special pupcakes to celebrate those special doggy days. They have 40 loose treats (crocodile, beef, goat, lamb, and more) along with a variety of bagged treats and biscuits that your doggo is sure to love. And you can end your visit with a coffee for you and a dogacino for them.
2. The Dog Café in Boronia
120 Boronia Rd, Boronia VIC 3155
A delicious bowl of food topped with cheese and bacon for your doggo and a Bowl of Food with Cheese and Bacon Crumble and a pumpkin, feta and leek quiche for you. If those won’t tickle your tummy, there are plenty of other choices that will. Add a tea for you and a puppachino for your forever friend–the perfect way to start your day. This is a great place to celebrate your dog’s birthday, or if wedding bells are ringing for your four-legged friend, reserve a room for their wedding. Whether you want to celebrate a big bash or just have a cup and a donut for you and your pal, try the Dog Cafe where you can relax as your doggo has a tail wagging good time frolicking with the other dogs.
3. Paw’s Up Café in Balwyn
306 Whitehorse Rd, Balwyn VIC 3103
Great food for you and greater food for your doggo. They offer a wide variety of doggy drinks along with their own house-made food. You can also treat your furry friend to a fun day out–give them a relaxing shampoo and trim or have a “paw-d-cure.” Need a little time for yourself? Well, drop your doggo off for a luxurious doggy day care experience while you get your own things done.
4. West 48 in Footscray
West 48 Essex Street, Footscray 3011
You and your dog are welcome here. Enjoy breakfast or lunch, or just a hot or cold drink. This rehabilitated industrial area is just the place to spend couple of hours enjoying the food and spending quality time with your doggo. You both will love the atmosphere and maybe even make friends–of the two legged and four legged variety.
5. Puppy Tail Cafe
Lloyd Rees Drive, Lane Cove West New South Wales 2066
Located in Blackman Park, the Puppy Tail Cafe is a great place to go after you are done walking your forever friend or frolicking in the nearby dog park. You can treat your doggo to a puppycino and a puppy waffle as a reward for their exemplary behavior, while you enjoy a cup of coffee and a freshly made sandwich from their varied menu.
6. Union Kitchen
1/33 Oceanfalls BLVD, Mindarie WA 6030
Located the Mindarie Marina, you and your doggo can enjoy a beautiful view of the water while you enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner and your furry friend snacks on treats and drinks especially made for canines, which includes puppocinos, mut shakes, K9 kookies, pupcicles, and a delicious bark-fast.
7. Fare and Square
6-8 Wellington Square, North Adelaide South Australia 5006
If you are looking for a special place to dine, and want to make sure that your fur-baby is welcome too, check out Fare and Square. They have a varied breakfast and lunch menu along with drinks that you have never even dreamed of. For your doggo, there is an assortment of doggy drinks and canine cuisine that will tickle their taste buds. Come to bond with your doggo, and take home wonderful memories to share with family and friends.
8. The Winey Cow in Mornington
39A Main St, Mornington VIC 3931
Both you and your furry friend will love stopping by for a snack or a meal. The extensive menu is guaranteed to have something that will tickle you and your doggo’s taste buds. Enjoy beer, wine, coffee, tea, smoothies and shakes while you both relax in their laid back atmosphere and enjoy their superior service.
Cafes that Love Dogs Too
9. The Farm Cafe at the Collinswood Children’s Farm
18 St Heliers St, Abbotsford VIC 3067
Located within the Collingwood Children’s Farm, the Farm Cafe takes you back in time to a simpler life. They feel that what is good for you should also be good for the planet. With a wide variety of breakfasts and lunches and plenty of room for you and your dog, you will enjoy a nice stroll and a delicious meal. Perfect for bonding with your furry baby.
10. A Minor Place
103 Albion Street, Brunswick 3056
Looking for an interesting place for breakfast or lunch? This might be the place. A nice selection of entries and drinks, and room outside for you and your doggo in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. And they will even bring them a water bowl of their own to quench their thirst. A great place to go when you and your dog just want to kick back and relax.
11. The Tipsy Cow Malt & Vine Co. in Port Melbourne
359 Bay St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207
Looking for a place to hang out with family or friends? Or a spot for you to enjoy the company of your furry friend? Give the Tipsy Cow a try. While they don’t have food or drinks for your doggo, they will be as welcome as human guests. Enjoy a nice meal along with a few drinks while you bond with your forever pal. If you want to celebrate your dog’s birthday, set the date and they will make sure that your fur-baby has a day that they will remember!
12. Great Northern Hotel in Carlton North
644 Rathdowne St, Carlton North VIC 3054
Bring your doggo for an evening of mouth watering food and a variety of drinks. Order a plate for yourself and another for your furry friend. While there, buy your doggo a GNH dog lead made out of recycled bicycle inner tubes. You will both go home with a smile on your face and a full tummy.
13. The Glass Den in Coburg
15 Urquhart St, Coburg VIC 3058
The Glass Den is a bright and socially inclusive café that brings light to what was once Pentridge Prison. They have a wide range of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options to keep your tummy happy, and a courtyard to sit in with your pooch.
14. Eva’s Cafe
200 Gardens Road, The Gardens, Darwin NT 0820
Load your forever friend into the car and head to Eva’s Cafe for breakfast, lunch or high tea. If you prefer, just order a drink–hot or cold–and a treat fresh out of the oven from their barkery. Your dog is welcome too. Take them for a run around the garden and a bowl of fresh water to quench their thirst.
15. Murry’s on Sixth
1/100 Duporth Avenue, Maroochydore Queensland 4558
Drop in with your fur-baby and order a coffee from their barista along with a fresh baked goody along with a puppy-ccino and a cookie for your forever friend. They are open for breakfast and lunch, and the food will guarantee that you will be back soon for more.
16. The Nookery Cafe
506 Metricup Rd, Wilyabrup, Western Australia, 6280
The cafe is part of Wood Nook Wines. You will enjoy coffee, tea, beer, cider and wine while your doggo enjoys a bowl of fresh water in their covered seating area. The menu has steaks, seafood and salads along with other sides and entrees for you to pick from–most of which are locally sourced. Pick up a few bottles of wine to bring back along with wonderful memories of you and your doggo.
How to Prep Your Puppa for a Cafe
Cafes and restaurants are a whole new world for many dogs. With all the new smells, sounds, people, and excitement–who can balance them? A trip to a pet-friendly cafe can also quickly become overwhelming for dog owners that don’t know what to expect. When getting your dog ready for their date, keep in mind how well your dog behaves around new people and new dogs. Here’s how to plan:
- Scope out the cafe alone first, so you know what it’s like.
- Take your dog a long walk before arriving. This allows them to use the bathroom and get some excess energy out.
- Opt for a shorter lead–the closer your dog is to you, the more in control you can be.
- If your dog tends to jump up and pull on-lead, you may want to ask for a table further away from others.
- Bring a collapsible water bowl and ask for water if needed.
- Pack a few toys and treats to help keep your dog busy and to reward them for being on their best behaviour.
- Be prepared to ask for a doggy bag if you feel like your dog is too overwhelmed.
Remember to Keep Your Paws Off the Table
Dining out with your dog can truly be a blast. Not only will your dog feel like a su-paw star, but you will get to see your best friend in a whole new environment. Just remember to have fun, prepare accordingly, and treat your dog to a few bites of whatever you order.
