No need to leave your dog behind if you’re heading out for a coffee, meal or drink with your family. We’ve found a number of places in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Maitland where your dog can accompany you. Have we missed a dog-friendly dining spot? Email us and we’ll add it to the list!
Dog-Friendly Cafes in Newcastle
Akuna Cafe
A longtime favourite in beachside Merewether, Akuna Cafe has a sun-drenched courtyard out the back where dogs are welcome to settle in while you enjoy breakfast. It’s an easy stop before or after a walk along Merewether Beach, and open from 6:30am daily if you’re an early riser.
Location: 40 Patrick Street, Merewether, NSW
The Autumn Rooms
Your furry friend is more than welcome at the relaxed and friendly The Autumn Rooms on Darby Street, Cooks Hill.
Location: 127 Darby Street, Cooks Hill
The Beehive Honeysuckle
This popular cafe located in the Honeysuckle precinct welcomes dogs. They even serve up puppacchino’s and housemade dog treats. The perfect spot to rest and recharge with your doggo while out for your walk along Newcastle’s scenic harbour.
Location: 3/15-17 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle, NSW
Between Kings and Queens
You can find this coffee cart in Tighes Hill from 6am to 1pm on Monday to Friday. Hang out with your dog in their outdoor courtyard.
Location: 73A Elizabeth Street, Tighes Hill NSW
Blue Door Kiosk
Whether you’re an early riser or out for an afternoon stroll along Bathers Way, popular Blue Door Kiosk is dog friendly and a top spot to stop for a rest and a snack. A little further up, Dixon Park Reserve allows dogs off-leash sunrise to 9am and 5pm to sunset.
Location: Cnr Watkins Street & John Parade, Merewether, NSW
Bolton Street Pantry
A reliable inner-city cafe on the edge of the CBD, Bolton Street Pantry does good coffee and cafe classics with outdoor tables where your dog can join you.
Location: 45 Bolton Street, Newcastle, NSW
Cafe Inu
Cafe Inu is popular with dog owners who bring their pooches here to enjoy the delicious food. You can also grab a puppaccino off the dog menu. Fun fact: Inu actually means dog in Japanese.
Location: 43 Denison Street, Carrington, NSW
Cake Boi
While you’re grabbing your favourite slice of cake and coffee to go from Cake Boi, you can also pick up a handmade dog treat for your pooch.
Location: 48 Lindsay Street, Hamilton, NSW
Carrington Bowlo
Located not far from the Carrington Foreshore off-leash dog area, Carrington Bowlo is a relaxed and friendly space for adults, kids and dogs. A welcoming, old fashioned club, located in the heart of one of Newcastle’s oldest suburbs.
Location: 1C Cowper Street, Carrington, NSW
Clarendon Hotel
Bring your dog to the Clarendon Hotel in Newcastle CBD. Dogs can enjoy the beer garden along with you. If they get thirsty, they can sip away at the dog bowl aka puppy bar.
Location: 347 Hunter Street, Newcastle, NSW
Customs House Hotel
The outdoor beer garden at Customs House Hotel is a top spot to bring your dog. With views of the Newcastle Harbour and a relaxed environment, it’s a pawfect place to spend an afternoon.
Location: 1 Bond Street, Newcastle, NSW
East End Hub
Dogs are very welcome outside at the East End Hub. Located in Newcastle’s beautiful East End, there is plenty of outdoor seating available.
Location: 3/3 King Street, Newcastle, NSW
ELMAs on Clyde
ELMAs on Clyde call themselves a kid, dog and human refuge. They offer specialty coffee and worldly dishes and a large, shaded outdoor dining area.
Location: 54 Clyde Street, Hamilton North, NSW
Ground Up Espresso
Dogs are welcome, and celebrated, at this quirky cafe in the main street of Carrington.
Location: 120 Young Street, Carrington, NSW
Haze
Formerly Autumn Rooms Stockton, this beachy local has been refreshed into Haze and dogs are part of the daily ritual here, right alongside the walkers and early-morning swimmers. A relaxed stop before or after a walk along Stockton Beach.
Location: 42 Mitchell Street, Stockton, NSW
Ka-fey Cafe
Offering a tasty nutritional menu, Ka-fey Cafe is a dog-friendly spot in Hunter Street Mall. Sit outside with your dog in front of the cafe. You’ll find shade and water bowls as well as Dawg Beer and Puppaccino on the menu for your dog.
Location: 146 – 148 Hunter Street, Newcastle, NSW
Lexies on the Beach
Take your dog for a walk around Stockton and stop for a feed at Lexies on the Beach near Stockton Beach. Dogs are welcome in the outside dining area. There’s shade provided by umbrellas as well as water bowls.
Location: 128 Mitchell Street, Stockton, NSW
Little Lane Espresso
It’s a doggy crowd at this cafe with lots of dog owners and their adorable pups enjoying a coffee and a chat outside.
Location: 52 Orchardtown Road, New Lambton, NSW
The Kiosk Newcastle Beach
The Kiosk loves doggos. Grab a coffee or a healthy eat after a big walk and while you’re enjoying it your doggo will be looked after with a bowl of fresh water.
Location: 42 Shortland Esplanade, Newcastle East, NSW
Moneypenny
Everyone is welcome at Moneypenny, even customers of the four-legged variety. Moneypenny provide dog beds, so your furry friend is comfortable, and a menu that’s perfect for sharing with friends, making them a top choice for a doggy-date with mates.
Location: 1 Honeysuckle Drive, The Boardwalk, Newcastle, NSW
Onyx Espresso Bar
Onyx welcomes all pups big and small. They also serve up a decent puppaccino but, if you’re dog isn’t into those, there are plenty of water bowls available.
Location: 191 Maitland Road, Mayfield, NSW
Praise Joe Urban Pantry
If the beautiful artwork, cold brew or range of delicious treats at Praise Joe Urban Pantry don’t tempt you, then the fact that doggos are not only welcomed, but celebrated there, will.
Location: 8/20 Elizabeth Street, Tighes Hill, NSW
Queens Wharf Hotel
Enjoy the sights and sounds of Newcastle Harbour with your best mate and a wine, cocktail or something delicious off the menu at Queens Wharf Hotel. There’s plenty of outdoor seating available and outdoors is the best spot to enjoy the harbour breeze.
Location: 150 Wharf Road, Newcastle, NSW
Scotties
With outdoor tables and a fabulous lawn area plus ordering available through their side window, everyone, including the four-legged members of the family, can enjoy a visit to Scotties, Newcastle’s deluxe fish and chip shop with a touch of Mediterranean. The perfect spot for an early dinner.
Location: 36 Scott Street, Newcastle East, NSW
Slingtown Espresso
Dogs are more than welcome to hang out in the back courtyard of this popular cafe on Beaumont Street.
Location: 3 Beaumont Street. Hamilton, NSW
Swell at Bar Beach
Open from 6:30am for the early risers, Swell at Bar Beach is dog-friendly. After you’ve enjoyed something from the menu, take your doggo across the road for a walk or a play at Dixon Park Reserve (dogs allowed off-leash here from sunrise to 9am and 5pm to sunset).
Location: 1 Memorial Drive, Newcastle, NSW
The Wickham Boatshed
The Wickham Boatshed love dogs so much that your dog might even score a treat from their friendly staff while you are enjoying your coffee or meal overlooking the boats on the harbour. A great place to stop during or after your walk around the Throsby Creek area.
Location: 91 Hannell Street, Wickham, NSW
Dog-Friendly Cafes in Lake Macquarie
Cafe Macquarie
Bring your dog to Cafe Macquarie and sit outdoors in the dog-friendly outdoor seating.
Location: 26 Macquarie Street, Belmont, NSW
Cafe Napoleon
Named after the owner’s much-loved late dog, Cafe Napoleon is one of the friendliest dog cafes in Warners Bay, right down to a dog wall of fame featuring their regulars. There’s plenty of outdoor seating, vegan and gluten-free options on the menu, and wheelchair and pram access if you’re bringing the whole family.
Location: 5/87 King Street, Warners Bay, NSW
Jimmys at The Esplanade
Take your four-legged mate to Jimmys at The Esplanade, in front of The Esplanade Motel. It’s a top spot to head to after doing the lakeside walk in Warners Bay. This vintage coffee van offers amazing coffee and treats and outdoor seating. For dogs, they have water bowls and puppaccinos.
Location: 568 The Esplanade, Warners Bay, NSW
Table 1 Espresso
Grab an outside table for your and your dog and enjoy the views across to Warners Bay Foreshore. There’s a massive menu for you to choose from.
Location: 2/450 The Esplanade, Warners Bay, NSW
Dog-Friendly Cafes in Maitland
The Belmore Hotel
Hang out with your dog in the beer garden at The Belmore Hotel.
Location: 476 High Street, Maitland, NSW
The Bikesmith & Espresso Bar
Check out this independent bike shop and cafe in Maitland. There’s outdoor seating so you can bring your dog while you enjoy coffee, tea or a snack.
Location: 326 High Street, Maitland, NSW
Central Park Cafe
Set at the Maitland Visitor Centre overlooking Maitland Park, Central Park Cafe has an alfresco veranda that’s both puppy and kid friendly. A good central option if you’re combining a coffee stop with a wander through the park or a stroll along the Maitland riverfront.
Location: Maitland Visitor Centre, Maitland, NSW
The OrangeTree
Located riverfront at Maitland, you can dine with dogs in their outdoor seating. Go for a walk before or after your meal along the Maitland riverfront area.
Location: 346 High Street, Maitland, NSW
Seraphine Cafe at MRAG
You can bring your dog and dine in the outside area of Seraphine Cafe at Maitland Regional Art Gallery.
Location: 230 High Street, Maitland, NSW
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