“We’re BYO human”: Cafes are embracing four-legged friends like never before.
The lunch crowd at St Peters cafe Baba G’s are more enthusiastic than most – salivating over the menu, tearing into beef hamburgers and taking off to run laps of the artificial turf. While dog-friendly cafes, bars and restaurants have become commonplace in Sydney, Baba G’s is one of a growing number catering specifically to the canine experience.
The converted warehouse cafe, opened in December, features a dog-friendly menu with dishes such as Korean fried chicken, cheese pie and strawberry doughnuts. There’s a fenced indoor play area stocked with toys, an open-air grooming salon and the capacity to host dog birthday parties (balloon arches optional).
“At our business, dogs come first and humans come second,” says owner-operator Sam Ayoub. But humans are looked after, too. Specialty coffee from Melbourne roastery Zest and whisked-to-order matcha lattes are served in handmade ceramics, alongside a selection of sandwiches and Son of a Baker pastries.
At Enfield cafe Paw Haus, it’s “BYO human”, says manager Annabelle Harper. Paw Haus opened in October and, like Baba G’s, offers grooming services, play areas and food options for both dogs and people.
In Sydney, where dogs outnumber children in almost half of the city’s council areas, the concept of pet-friendly third spaces is popular among dog owners and enthusiasts alike.
Harper says her venue attracts many customers who don’t own a pet of their own, but want to spend time playing with free-roaming dogs or feeding fish waffles to the rescue kittens (available for adoption in a separate room).
The new spaces join pubs such as The Carrington in Surry Hills and the Courthouse in Newtown, which serve dedicated dog menus. Puppy Tail Cafe in Lane Cove and Cafe Bones in Leichhardt have set up shop beside dog parks, and dogs are now treated to a complimentary “puppitini” (water in a coupe glass, garnished with prosciutto) at Bar Demo in Enmore.
“When it comes to allowing dogs in cafes and other hospitality venues, it’s changing for the better,” Ayoub says.
“Dogs are family, but you only get maybe 10 to 12 years with them, so why not make the most of that time?”
10 of the best dog-friendly venues in Sydney
Baba G’s Cafe & Grooming Salon, St Peters
Baba G’s was born out of Ayoub’s love for his Afghan hound Baba Ganoush, and a desire to create a calm, cage-free grooming salon for dogs of all sizes. Dogs are the focus, but Baba G’s also functions as an excellent standalone cafe with quality pastries, matcha and specialty coffee.
Good to know: Sydney Park is within walking distance.
4/81 Princes Highway, St Peters, babags.com.au
Paw Haus by Pet Us, Enfield
A two-storey terrace with an off-leash dog cafe, room to cuddle rescue cats, and a grooming salon. Burgers and wraps are prepared in a food truck in the outdoor garden, and dogs are treated to human-grade treats including salmon and chia cookies and blueberry yoghurt smoothies.
Good to know: There’s a separate quiet room for timid dogs.
244 Liverpool Road, Enfield, pawhaus.petus.com.au
Doglateria, Bondi Junction
Take your dog on an ice-cream date at this Bondi gelateria, which serves Italian gelato for humans and lactose-free, human-grade “dog-lato” ($6.50 per scoop) in flavours such as peanut butter and honey, strawberry and banana, and mango and carrot.
Good to know: Want to step it up a notch? Take on the “doggy high tea” serving two dogs for $42.
82 Bronte Road, Bondi Junction, instagram.com/doglateria_bondi
Puppy Tail Cafe, Lane Cove
Dog nutritionist Naoko Okamoto serves organic lamb mince, vegie waffles and “doggie lattes” at this small Lane Cove outpost, cleverly positioned beside Blackman Park off-leash dog park. For humans, there are Japanese-inspired dishes including tonkatsu pork sandos and onigiri.
Good to know: Blackman Park dog park is divided into two separate areas for small and large dogs.
Lloyd Rees Drive, Lane Cove West, puppytail.com.au/cafe
Cafe Bones, Leichhardt
Cafe Bones is located within the Hawthorne Canal Reserve off-leash park, serving solid, simple cafe fare such as toasted sandwiches, bagels and traditional Aussie spiders. It’s a great place to meet fellow owners, but it can be difficult to find a car park on weekends.
Good to know: Cafe Bones bakes bacon and cheese “puppfins” for dogs.
1 Canal Road, Leichhardt, cafebones.com.au
Forrester’s, Surry Hills
Fancy a roast dinner? Forrester’s pub serves a $35 roast every night with an oversized Yorkshire pudding, dubbed “the big Yorkie”. Dogs can now get in on the action with non-alcoholic dog-friendly beers and the $10 “pawkie”: a bowl of kibble served with gravy and a miniature Yorkshire pudding.
Good to know: Pawkies are free between 6pm and 8pm on Tuesdays for “yappy hour”.
336 Riley Street, Surry Hills, forresters.com.au
Bar Demo, Enmore
Sip martinis with your dog at Bar Demo, the new vinyl-spinning cocktail bar on Enmore Road from two ex-Double Deuce bartenders. The “puppitini” is complimentary and contains no alcohol, just water garnished with prosciutto (healthier alternatives to come).
Good to know: Try the frozen gin-based house martini, or one of 12 natural wines by the glass.
85 Enmore Road, Newtown, instagram.com/bardemosyd
The Carrington, Surry Hills
Charming corner pub The Carrington is a contender for the best dog-friendly pub in Sydney, welcoming furry friends both inside and outside. The menu includes steak and vegies or beef tartare for dogs, and pub classics (plus some great pastas) for humans.
Good to know: Dogs must be on their best behaviour: “If you bark, to the park!”
565 Bourke Street, Surry Hills, thecarringtonsydney.com
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Bianca Hrovat – Bianca is Good Food’s Sydney eating out and restaurant editor.
