Our Favourite Gold Coast And Brisbane Dog Cafes And Dog Off Leash Areas

If you own a dog, you’ll know the places you can go and things you can do are limited, especially without your best friend mortally embarrassing you by spontaneously dropping one at the worst possible moment. If you don’t own a dog, there’s a good chance you wish you did, and want to go somewhere you can pretend you own a dog, without the hassle of knowing you’re literally responsible for an animal’s excrement.

So, for dog-owners and dog-lusters, searching for a place to take your pooch for a fab day out or, alternatively, annoy the crap out of dog owners by stopping every time you see a cute doggy and asking for a picture… This one’s for you. We’ve rounded up our best dog-friendly spots on the Gold Coast and Brisbane, so you’ll know where to head for a coffee or swim with your four-legged pal.

Gold Coast

The Spit is a glorious land where dogs rule supreme and  feeble humans can do nothing about it. Currumbin Estuary is a not-so-little treasure just about perfect for dog owners on the southern end of the Coast. Connected to Palm Beach at the river mouth, the Currumbin Estuary meets up with the beach for calm, relaxing chill-out spot with your pooch, with the still water ideal for vertically-challenged pups.  Another gem among Gold Coast’s dog beaches is Tallebudgera Beach, north of the Tallebudgera bathing reserve to the Tallebudgera Creek entrance. Feel the buzz of GC athleticism by taking your pooch to Pizzey Park’s off-leash dog area. Part of Miami’s massive Pizzey Park sporting complex, with just about every sport available to play and train, you’ll be surrounded by active Gold Coasters and best of all: their doggies! 

Gold Coast consists of some excellent dog friendly cafes, so if you are looking to take your puppy out for a treat, then this is it. The fantastic Parc-Bah Espresso in Southport is a must visit as it offers a menu designed primarily for dogs. Although you will enjoy their sweet treats such as peanut butter, walnut cake, and yoghurt, it's actually the top-selling dishes for dogs. 

Other cafes also worth-visiting in Gold Coast are All-Time Coffee in Mermaid Beach, Le Vintage Boutique Cafe in Worongary, Burleigh Social in North Burleigh, Alfred's in Mermaid Beach, Hidden Perk in Burleigh Heads, Paleo Cafe in Burleigh Heads, Cafe Nineteen in Sanctuary Cove, Crema in Harbour Town and  Elephant Rock Cafe in Currumbin.

All-Time Coffee in Mermaid Beach we usually drop into this little gem of a cafe when we venutre down the coast. The coffee is always excellent. The food is excellent and consistent and Elle makes the best vegan toasties and donuts made with love. 

 Parc- Bah espresso is Kim’s absolute favourite cafe on the Gold Coast! The service is always amazing and the  staff are friendly and always do more than expected. The coffee and food are made to perfection every time and we love coming here! Truly the best cafe on the Gold Coast. They even have Ice-cream for the dogs.  

Brisbane

Another great Aussie city for dog owners is Brisbane. With more than 120 excellent off-leash parks and dog friendly beaches for your dog to enjoy,  it actually shines when it comes to walkies. Most notable best dog parks in Brisbane include: Kroll Gardens, Colmslie Recreation Reserve, Downfall Creek, Schuster Park, Green Hill Reservoir, Kedron Brook Floodway, Sunset Park, Buddina Offleash Dog Park, Aquatic Paradise and GJ Walter.

If you are looking to find the Brisbane cafes to bring your dog to, make your way to any of these popular cafes: Brown Dog Cafe in Woolloongabba, Sassafrass in Paddington, Nana and Da's in Kedron, Todd & Pup in Moorooka, Alcove Café and Deli in Wilston, Saabi on Manson in Hendra, Bunker in Milton and Carte Blanche Espresso in Camp Hill. At the Yatala Drive-in, dogs on leaches can also have a fabulous night with the family.

Brekkie @ Brown Dog Cafe, Wooloongabba

One of our favourite Cafes to visit would be Brown Dog Café. With a sunny corner outlook and simple facade, Brown Dog Cafe is an unassuming, hole-in-the-wall style cafe. Popular with cyclists, dog walkers and nonchalant wanderers, the cafe offers a footpath dining area and for pooches and their walkers to relax. Red-hued high-school lockers, pop art and colourful stools add a splash of colour to the interior, while the glowing cake cabinet is full of fresh takeaway options for breakfast and lunch  on the run. On that note, one of the standout dishes happens to be the Dog breakfast – scrambled eggs, haloumi, avocado, roma tomato and spinach.

Todd & Pup

Moorooka may be the go-to suburb to buy a second-hand car, but it’s also becoming the place to find quality brunches thanks to a burgeoning café scene in the winding streets behind the “magic mile”. One such café to have popped up is Todd & Pup. As the cute name suggests, dogs are welcome here. So are Todds. For those of us on the other side of town who aren’t in the market for a new SUV, is it worth the drive to this café?

“Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.”