20 February 2014

Canberra's best dog friendly cafes

| georgiamorris
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There are some great dog friendly cafés in Canberra! We’re long-term Canberra locals who love stopping at a café for a coffee at the end of an energetic walk with our dog.

After years of careful (and enjoyable) research, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite Canberra cafés that welcome well-behaved dogs. Most also have good coffee!

These cafés make our favourites list because they have dog friendly outdoor spaces (that means both sunny and shady options and sufficient space around tables), they have a welcoming vibe, and their staff are even happy to bring out water for your dog. They are also in great dog walking neighbourhoods featuring off leash areas so you can go for a good walk and tire out your dog first.

Of course your dog should also be ‘café friendly’. See our blog on appropriate dog cafe etiquette and how to cafe train your dog to be the perfect four-legged patron at Training your cafe friendly dog.

Dog lying on blanket outside busy cafe
A model of cafe etiquette!

Here’s our favourite Canberra dog friendly cafés in alphabetical order by suburb location (see location map below):

Hello Café in Blamey Place, Campbell shops, is a cheerful, friendly neighbourhood café with pleasant outdoor tables. Hello proprietors welcome patrons of all sorts and offer a variety of substantial, tasty meals and tempting sweet offerings. Open for breakfast and lunch from 7.00 am every day except Sunday. Check out free directions for a dog friendly walk in Campbell – Campbell walk – that starts and ends at the Campbell shops.

Hello Cafe, Campbell shops
Hello Café, Campbell shops

Red Brick Espresso, cnr Carruthers and Theodore Streets, Curtin, is a delight. This very popular hole-in-the wall brims with enthusiasm about life, the universe – and coffee. There are only a small number of outside tables but milk crates provide for overflow customers. Dogs (and kids) love the grassy outdoor space. Open every day with simple breakfast and lunch offerings. Check out free directions for two dog friendly walks in Curtin – Curtin playing fields and Curtin horse paddock walks – that start and end at the Curtin shops.

Cafe scene including dog
Redbrick Espresso, Curtin

210 Degrees Bakery and Patisserie, on Hughes Place at the Hughes shops, has a pleasant and comfortable outdoor seating area for dogs. The chocolate croissants are delicious and front-of-house man, Tim, makes a nice coffee. Open early for fresh bakery goods and simple lunches Monday to Saturday plus breakfast options on Saturday. Check out free directions for a dog friendly in Hughes – Hughes walk – that starts and ends at the Hughes shops.

Cafe scene with dog
210 Degrees Bakery and Patisserie, Hughes

BitterSweet, in Green Square, cnr Jardine and Eyre Streets, Kingston, is right in the centre of Green Square with plenty of generously spaced outdoor tables. Serves good coffee, breakfast and lunch every day from around 7.30. Check out free directions for a dog friendly walk through Kingston and Griffith – Kingston-Griffith walk – that starts and ends at the Kingston shops.

Cafe scene including dog
BitterSweet, Kingston

The Front Gallery and Café, on Wattle Street at the Lyneham shops, is an über-cool, Newtown-Essenden-inspired café. The Front boasts ancient outdoor sofas utilised by both two-legged and four-legged patrons. Good coffee and neighbourhood vibe. Usually open every day for breakfast and lunch. Check out free directions for a dog friendly walk through Lyneham and O-Connor – Lyneham-O’Connor walk – that starts and ends at the Lyneham shops.

Dogs sitting with their owners at a cafe
The Front Gallery and Cafe, Lyneham

Beess & Co on the corner of Hutchins and Bentham Streets at the Yarralumla shops boasts a spacious, shady location under an enormous plane tree. Its outdoor tables provide ample space for four-legged friends. It’s very popular with locals so you may need to arrive early or book a table to ensure a spot. We’re not a fan of the coffee but many people love its food. Open every day from 7.00 am (8.00 on Sundays) for breakfast and lunch. Check out free directions for a dog friendly walk in Yarralumla – Yarralumla walk – that starts and ends at the Yarralumla shops.

Busy cafe scene with dog
Beess & Co, Yarralumla

Canberra dog friendly café locations

View Canberra best dog friendly cafes in a larger map

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georgiamorris and matisse – we should get our dogs together for an possible sibling playdate! Happy to meet at any of the cafes listed above, or a dog park 🙂

georgiamorris11:01 am 26 Feb 14

matisse said :

Yes! that WHIPPET is also the spitting image of my girl who is 8. I got her from a backyard breeder Wanniassa (I just had to save her, my bad I know!). I am wondering if they are indeed related. Also Common Grounds in Gowrie allows dogs, and they provide water. (out the front at least, unsure about the rear courtyard)

Thanks Matisse for getting back on topic! I’d like to expand my list of dog friendly cafes and great walks over time so that’s a great tip for future research.

And to other responders – I just wanted to share some info about nice dog friendly cafes and good walking spots. Hopefully its useful to some people.

And re my beautiful dog (whatever she is) – I don’t know about the western suburbs of Sydney but she is certainly a big hit in the Inner West. Last time we were in Newtown we visited a brilliant pub the Courty (The Courthouse, cnr Australia and Lennox St) and she was a huge hit in the beer garden out back. We (she) made friends with all the patrons – the older locals telling us about “when they used to race ’em”. BTW – the Courty has a great vibe and great food. Another good dog friendly establishment to try.

Yes! that WHIPPET is also the spitting image of my girl who is 8. I got her from a backyard breeder Wanniassa (I just had to save her, my bad I know!). I am wondering if they are indeed related. Also Common Grounds in Gowrie allows dogs, and they provide water. (out the front at least, unsure about the rear courtyard)

Roundhead89 said :

miska_chick said :

It’s a bit like the term “sausage dog” referring to dachshounds.

Not always, what else are you meant to call this: http://doggertainment.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Hot-Dog-Dog-Costume1-e1357104449462.jpg

Roundhead89 said :

miska_chick said :

OP – The beautiful whippet in your picture looks like it could be a brother to mine! I adopted my boy from DAS in September 2012, is yours Canberra-bred?

There is no such thing as a “whippet”. They are called greyhounds. The word whippet was invented by a journalist from the old Daily Mirror in 1985 and is confined in usage to Sydney’s western suburbs. It’s a bit like the term “sausage dog” referring to dachshounds.

I didn’t pick it up earlier, but there is no such thing as a dachshound; it’s called a dachshund. This adds an extra element of stupidity to this post.

NoImRight said :

Roundhead89 said :

miska_chick said :

OP – The beautiful whippet in your picture looks like it could be a brother to mine! I adopted my boy from DAS in September 2012, is yours Canberra-bred?

There is no such thing as a “whippet”. They are called greyhounds. The word whippet was invented by a journalist from the old Daily Mirror in 1985 and is confined in usage to Sydney’s western suburbs. It’s a bit like the term “sausage dog” referring to dachshounds.

Its comforting to know there isnt a subject you cant be completely wrong about and yet at the same time a complete dick. It brings a sense of stability to my world knowing that no matter what else happens you will continue to be the lowest common denominator.

John exists in a reality parallel to the rest of us, where he has rewritten the earth’s history almost entirely. I find it quite fascinating.

Ask him about how HECS loans were implemented by a vindictive former employer, purely to inconvenience him.

Roundhead89 said :

miska_chick said :

OP – The beautiful whippet in your picture looks like it could be a brother to mine! I adopted my boy from DAS in September 2012, is yours Canberra-bred?

There is no such thing as a “whippet”. They are called greyhounds. The word whippet was invented by a journalist from the old Daily Mirror in 1985 and is confined in usage to Sydney’s western suburbs. It’s a bit like the term “sausage dog” referring to dachshounds.

Its comforting to know there isnt a subject you cant be completely wrong about and yet at the same time a complete dick. It brings a sense of stability to my world knowing that no matter what else happens you will continue to be the lowest common denominator.

georgiamorris said :

There is no such thing as a “whippet”. They are called greyhounds. The word whippet was invented by a journalist from the old Daily Mirror in 1985 and is confined in usage to Sydney’s western suburbs. It’s a bit like the term “sausage dog” referring to dachshounds.

Whippets were most likely originally bred from greyhounds, but it has been a separate breed for quite some time. The UK Kennel Club officially recognised whippets in 1891. The first written English use of the word ‘whippet’ with regard to a type of dog was in 1610.

But but but a “journalist” from the Daily Mirror made it up. In 1985. You might want to check your facts.

MrBigEars said :

Roundhead89 said :

There is no such thing as a “whippet”. They are called greyhounds. The word whippet was invented by a journalist from the old Daily Mirror in 1985 and is confined in usage to Sydney’s western suburbs. It’s a bit like the term “sausage dog” referring to dachshounds.

This is what confuses me about the new, improved riot-act. Is this a statement that Roundhead89 actually believes, or is this an inside joke that I don’t get? Because if it’s the former, Whippet, real good vs You ain’t nothing but a (grey)hound dog.

If it’s the latter, then of course I get it. ~laughs nervously, slinks away~

I imagine he probably believes it. Going by that logic, any created breed eg Doberman, doesn’t exist because it was created from a number of existing breeds, including Rottweilers and probably Greyhounds.

georgiamorris10:42 am 25 Feb 14

There is no such thing as a “whippet”. They are called greyhounds. The word whippet was invented by a journalist from the old Daily Mirror in 1985 and is confined in usage to Sydney’s western suburbs. It’s a bit like the term “sausage dog” referring to dachshounds.

Whippets were most likely originally bred from greyhounds, but it has been a separate breed for quite some time. The UK Kennel Club officially recognised whippets in 1891. The first written English use of the word ‘whippet’ with regard to a type of dog was in 1610.

Roundhead89 said :

There is no such thing as a “whippet”. They are called greyhounds. The word whippet was invented by a journalist from the old Daily Mirror in 1985 and is confined in usage to Sydney’s western suburbs. It’s a bit like the term “sausage dog” referring to dachshounds.

This is what confuses me about the new, improved riot-act. Is this a statement that Roundhead89 actually believes, or is this an inside joke that I don’t get? Because if it’s the former, Whippet, real good vs You ain’t nothing but a (grey)hound dog.

If it’s the latter, then of course I get it. ~laughs nervously, slinks away~

miska_chick said :

OP – The beautiful whippet in your picture looks like it could be a brother to mine! I adopted my boy from DAS in September 2012, is yours Canberra-bred?

There is no such thing as a “whippet”. They are called greyhounds. The word whippet was invented by a journalist from the old Daily Mirror in 1985 and is confined in usage to Sydney’s western suburbs. It’s a bit like the term “sausage dog” referring to dachshounds.

georgiamorris7:22 pm 24 Feb 14

miska_chick said :

OP – The beautiful whippet in your picture looks like it could be a brother to mine! I adopted my boy from DAS in September 2012, is yours Canberra-bred?

We think she is. We got her from the RSPCA nearly four years ago as a three month old pup. She and two litter mates had been surrendered. How lucky!

OP – The beautiful whippet in your picture looks like it could be a brother to mine! I adopted my boy from DAS in September 2012, is yours Canberra-bred?

don’t forget sly fox cafe on the bike path near macarthur ave oconner tues- friday mornings. they have a resident dog, bob to keep you amused when you forget to bring your dog

https://www.facebook.com/SlyFoxCoffee

georgiamorris1:11 pm 21 Feb 14

Thanks for the tip! I know, and appreciate, A Bite To Eat but did not know they allowed dogs in the rear courtyard. Good dog walking around there too.

And don’t forget A Bite to Eat at the Chifley shops who always have water and a friendly pat for pooches. If the front area is full, they let you into the back courtyard. Breakfast and coffee, afternoon tea or my favorite, wine and dips, equal or better anywhere in Cbr. Great child’s playground nearby, get takeaway and coffee from the IGA for foodies with little ones.

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