The best dog friendly restaurants in Australia

The Australian food safety reality

Australian food safety regulations prevent dogs from entering indoor dining areas in almost all circumstances. Dog-friendly restaurants in Australia means outdoor dining areas, not inside the restaurant.

This limits the definition but does not limit the quality of the experience. Some of the best outdoor dining in Australia genuinely welcomes dogs and the combination of good food, good weather, and your dog by the table is one of the great Australian pleasures.

The restaurants that do it properly set out water bowls without being asked, train staff to welcome dogs, and have outdoor areas designed for comfort rather than being an afterthought.

Queensland

Noosa has the best restaurant dog culture in Queensland. Aromas on Hastings Street welcomes dogs in outdoor seating. Gaston Noosa, a French bistro on Hastings Street, has outdoor tables where dogs are welcome and the food is genuinely outstanding.

The Fat Frog Cafe in Airlie Beach is specifically pet-friendly and positioned opposite dog-friendly beach access.

The Sunshine Beach Surf Club outdoor area welcomes dogs and has extraordinary views with good casual dining.

New South Wales

Byron Bay has outstanding dog-friendly dining culture. The Farm at Byron Bay welcomes dogs throughout the property and the restaurant uses produce grown on site. Treehouse on Belongil has a genuinely tropical atmosphere and welcomes dogs in outdoor areas.

Hunter Valley restaurants with outdoor terraces including Bistro Molines are worth building a winery day around. The combination of wine tasting and a proper lunch with your dog at the table is the Hunter Valley at its best.

The Blue Mountains towns including Leura have several outdoor dining options that welcome dogs in their garden areas.

Victoria

The Mornington Peninsula has excellent dog-friendly dining throughout the region. Nordie in Red Hill has a beautiful outdoor courtyard that welcomes dogs. Polperro Winery Restaurant has outdoor terrace dining where dogs are welcome.

Bright in Northeast Victoria has multiple main street outdoor dining options during the warmer months. The combination of autumn colour and outdoor dining with a dog is one of the genuinely special Victorian experiences.

Fitzroy and Collingwood in Melbourne have strong outdoor dining cultures with multiple restaurants welcoming dogs in their outdoor areas.

Western Australia

The Margaret River region has excellent dog-friendly outdoor dining. The White Elephant Cafe at Gnarabup Beach combines beachfront location with dog-friendly outdoor seating. The Providore at Margaret River welcomes dogs at outdoor tables.

Perth's beach strip cafe culture transitions into full dining at several venues along the northern beaches. The outdoor areas adjacent to City Beach and North Beach dog beaches have multiple dining options.