You know the drill…it’s time for Sunday brunch and your furry friend is giving you the evil eye knowing you are heading off for foodie fun.
Don’t despair, there are plenty of dog-friendly venues where you can say bone appetit to not only your own hunger but also your pooch’s.
Here are five of our faves for a pawsome time:
Coffee with Your Furry Friend
Enjoy a morning caffeine hit at community-minded beach café, Milk & Beans Coffee House, a much-loved local for those in and around Alexandra Headland and tourists visiting the Sunshine Coast. Fitted out with a trendy rustic style, inside feels warm and inviting with an exposed red brick wall adorned in dangling green fronds and ornaments, while recycled timber beams hold in place long cords of globes dropping from the ceiling.
Coffee with your best furry friend is always on the menu at this café, enjoy a Kai cappuccino with chilli crab scrambled eggs, buttered spinach and lime on sourdough; or drop in later for an apple-braised pulled pork burger with spinach, cabbage and sesame Kewpie dressing.
Coffee Hub of the Suburb
Coffee, creativity and community are the ethos behind Islington café, Slingtown Espresso on Beaumont Street. Nestling among vintage and pre-loved stores, this longstanding coffee haunt is the hub of the suburb – a place where locals gather over a brew and bite in rustic surrounds of recycled timber, whitewashed brick walls and a plethora of posters.
Bring your pup along as you start your day the right way with a loaded smoked salmon bagel with rocket, red onion and tomato; or chow down on a bacon and fried egg roll with feta, avocado and tomato sauce, on a sesame bun.
Family & Pet-friendly Cafe
Those looking for a cosy, family-friendly café to enjoy a brew and bite with friends, head along Brewer Road in Bentleigh to find District Brewer. A children’s play area and baby seating make this locally-loved café a popular choice for breakfast and lunch - the little ones are entertained as you sip a coffee and catch up on conversation in a light, bright vibe of polished concrete floors and potted greenery.
Take to the alfresco area with your fur baby in tow and devour 12-hour slow-cooked pork belly eggs Benedict, with housemade hash brown, apple slaw, spinach and maple Hollandaise; or visit later for pork and prawn nasi goreng with fried egg, ketchup manis, prawn crackers and fried shallots.
Leave Hustle & Bustle Behind
Treasures are found in the slow moments…escape to a place of simple pleasure at Carrajung Estate Restaurant on Lays Road in Willung South. Leave hustle and bustle behind to take a scenic nature walk before heading to cosy outdoor seating areas perfect for a wine under the stars at this dining destination.
Your pets are welcome to join you in the outdoor seating areas which overlook the rolling vineyards as you sip an estate wine with memorable mains such as braised pork with penne, red wine tomato sauce, cider-braised bacon, shaved Parmesan and salsa verde.
Puppachinos Await Your Four-legged Friend
Those seeking a new dining experience in a beachside town find Silver Spoon on Biggs Avenue in Beachmere. This well-loved café is the spot to head after a surf to refuel and recharge, either alfresco watching the world pass by with a brew of choice, or head indoors where a lively buzz of conversation hangs in the air as friends and family catch up over inspired brunch dishes.
There are three things you need to do when visiting – bring your dogs, buy them puppachinos and let the staff pat them as you fuel up for the day with fried chicken Benedict, with hot sauce brined chicken and poached eggs on a polenta, cheese and onion waffle with herbed Hollandaise.
