September means spring has officially arrived, which also means eating outside with the dog starts sounding like a much better idea again.
And this month, we’re staying entirely in NSW.
We went looking for places that don’t just allow dogs at an outdoor table, but actually give them something worth turning up for. Think miniature pub meals, doggy waffles and proper dog menus where your dog genuinely has more than one thing to choose from.
The other rule? The human food has to be worth the trip too.
Here’s where to take yours.
📋 In This Guide
- Forrester’s — Surry Hills, Sydney
- The Carrington — Surry Hills, Sydney
- Central Park Cafe — Maitland, NSW
- The Grid Cafe — Oran Park, Sydney
- The Erko Hotel — Erskineville, Sydney
Seven NSW Spots Actually Doing This Right
There are plenty of cafes that’ll bring your dog a water bowl. These go quite a bit further. Every place on this month’s NSW list has something specifically for the dog, while still being somewhere we’d happily go for the human menu too.
Forrester’s
Surry Hills, Sydney
Forrester’s is a proper Surry Hills pub first, with a big Australian pub menu, live music and several different spaces to settle in. The difference here is that dogs aren’t restricted to one token table out the front. They’re welcome throughout the venue, including the public bar, Phyllis garden and Art Room.
Good to know: Tuesday is Yappy Hour, when your dog gets a free “pawkie” with the purchase of a main meal. It’s a miniature dog-friendly take on the pub’s famous Yorkshire pudding, served with gravy and kibble. There’s even a Dog Wall of Fame for some of the pub’s four-legged regulars.
The Carrington
Surry Hills, Sydney
Apparently Surry Hills has decided dogs should be able to go to the pub too. The Carrington is a neighbourhood pub on Bourke Street where dogs are welcome in both the indoor and outdoor areas. For humans, it’s classic pub territory: burgers, steaks, schnitzels, pasta, wine and cocktails, with a leafy garden bar out the back.
Good to know: dogs get their own menu here too, with proper meals rather than just biscuits. The Carro has long been known for serving dog-friendly dishes alongside the human menu, and it regularly gets its four-legged customers involved in events and celebrations too.
Central Park Cafe
Maitland, NSW
Central Park Cafe sits opposite Maitland Park and does the kind of big breakfast-and-lunch menu you’d expect from a well-established local cafe: house-made corncakes, eggs Benedict, burgers, arancini, salads and plenty of coffee.
Then you get to the puppy menu.
Good to know: this might be the most extensive dog menu we’ve found this month. Dogs can order meatloaf with rice and gravy, turkey and vegetable pie topped with mash, mini cheesy omelettes with kangaroo jerky, a beef burger, cheesy peanut butter toasties, peanut butter ice cream or a banana and peanut butter muffin. There’s a puppuccino too, obviously.
View Central Park Cafe’s puppy menu →
The Grid Cafe
Oran Park, Sydney
The Grid is an Italian-inspired cafe in Oran Park doing restaurant-style breakfast and brunch, specialty coffee and Friday night Italian dinners. There’s plenty for humans to come for before you even factor in the dog, and its outdoor terrace is specifically set up to be dog-friendly.
Good to know: there’s a separate dog menu for four-legged customers, so your dog doesn’t have to spend brunch watching you eat. Pair it with one of the outdoor tables and this is an easy option for a proper weekend brunch where bringing the dog doesn’t feel like a compromise.
The Erko Hotel
Erskineville, Sydney
The Erko is a proper neighbourhood pub with a beer garden, classic pub favourites, produce-driven plates, local beers and enough going on that you’d happily come here without the dog. Luckily, you don’t have to.
Good to know: dogs are welcome throughout the entire venue, and The Erko has a menu just for them, along with water bowls in the beer garden and treats behind the bar. Even better, dogs eat free every Saturday from 12pm to 4pm when you purchase a main meal.
Before You Go
A few of these get busy on weekends, and dog menus in particular have a habit of changing. Worth doing a couple of things before you turn up lead in hand.
💡 A Few Things Worth Checking
- Whether outdoor or dog-friendly seating needs a booking, especially on weekends.
- Whether the dog menu is currently available. Individual dishes and specials can change.
🐾 Know a NSW Spot We Should Check Out?
If there’s a cafe, pub or restaurant in NSW that’s genuinely doing right by dogs, not just allowing them, let us know. We’re always looking for somewhere new to add to the list.
