Adelaide cafes meeting demand for doggie food and drinks in comfort at footpath tables
DOG and latte lovers are detouring to pet-friendly cafes where they can also order food, treats and drinks for their canine friends.
WOULD you like a puppacino with that?
Dog and latte lovers are detouring to pet-friendly cafes where they can also order food, treats and drinks for their canine friends. Some of the savviest cafes offer little shady “puppy parks” complete with grass mats, hooks for leashes, water bowls and even picket fences.
Cafe owners say it is a matter of meeting demand as more people out walking their dogs want to stop for coffee, cake and light meals where their hungry, thirsty pooches are also welcome.
It’s good news, says Wolfgang Schnitzer, executive officer of Dogs SA, who welcomes the turnaround, reporting an outcry from dog owners over past restrictions on animals being allowed in al fresco areas.
“It’s a great social thing to do. Head out for a walk, which is good for everyone, and stop for a coffee, with a treat for your dog. But be sure the cafe is serving dog-friendly food, not (regular) food out of the kitchen,” he said, also warning that cafe food should be seen as treats, not a replacement for balanced meals for dogs.
In beachy Semaphore, Lamb Spit BBQ owner Joanne Karotos says so many people come to the coastal eat street with their dogs that they decided to make up a “doggie dinner” of lamb yiros offcuts.
“They are packs of straight lamb, without any marinade, so dog-friendly,” she says. “Most people take them home but some sit outside and have a meal with their dog. We have lots of regular customers who like them, and sell tons of them.”
And, for dessert, the local ice creameries serve iced doggie treats and cones.
Take Two Ice Creamery owner Harry Serdardis provides fresh water bowls outside, “and we have SA’s Golden North ice cream, which is palm oil and gluten free. It’s dog-friendly so people often buy a baby scoop in a cup or cone for their dog”.
Adelaide’s beachside Royal Copenhagen stores at Semaphore, Henley Beach and Brighton scoop out iced doggie treats made of frozen natural yoghurt, peanut butter, honey, banana and a dogbone biscuit on top.
The Brighton store’s co-owner Tiarne Cook has set up a pooch parking area with a fake grass mat and white picket fence well used by people who stop by on their way to the beach.
Candice Karamanis, 22, of Hallett Cove, stopped at the Brighton store for ice cream this week, and said she loved the idea of adding her super cute four-month-old golden retriever Charlie to the party when hanging out with mates.
“It’s a great idea for people out walking their dogs,” she says. “I think I will be looking for puppy bubbacinos next.”
On the esplanade at Henley Square, a love for dogs inspired Jodi Diamond to create a special menu for dogs at the Bacchus Wine Bar.
“It’s fun stuff like pupcakes containing pumpkin, and homemade doggie biscuits,” says Ms Diamond, who runs the cafe with partner Phillip Brooks.
“We do a vegetarian terrine with rice, and we have sides of bacon and ham so while you’re eating breakfast your dog doesn’t feel left out.”
While Bacchus offers leash clips for owners to park their pet while they pop in for a coffee, a dedicated “pooch park” with toys, plants and water bowls allows dogs to play for longer.
“Some of these dogs are like people’s children. They’re very important,” Ms Diamond says.
Mel Antony, co-owner of Sublime at Clarence Park, says her three-year-old cafe has always welcomed its customers’ pooches.
“We have a big following of pet lovers who bring their dogs along, particularly on weekends,” she says. “We provide free treats like Schmackos, bowls of water and a grass mat so the dogs have something comfy to lie on.”
She says they have offered occasional bowls of chopped meats, and if demand continues, the meals will become a regular feature on the menu, for about $2-$3.
Where to go
PET-friendly cafes provide bowls of fresh water for dogs but some go the extra doggie mile:
Royal Copenhagen, Henley, Brighton, Semaphore
Cup of frozen natural yoghurt mixed with peanut butter, honey, banana and a dogbone biscuit on top, $3.90. Some have puppy parks.
Take Two Ice Creamery, Semaphore
Golden North baby vanilla ice cream scoop in a cone or cup, $3.
Lamb Spit, Semaphore
Doggie pack of plain yiros lamb, $5, $6, or $8.
Fred Eatery, Aldgate
Free dog biscuits, or a doggie latte of lactose-free milk with a dog biscuit and turmeric sprinkled on top.
Sublime, Clarence Park
Free Schmackos treats, bowl of meat offcuts for $2-$3, grass mat for comfort.
Nest Bistro, Walkerville
Free pig’s ears and fresh water in the outdoor area
Brighton Jetty Bakery, Brighton
Free house-made Weetbix-based dog biscuits for dogs with owners at the tables, or bags of the biscuits, $5.95.
Bacchus, Henley Beach
Pupcakes, $2, vegetarian terrine, $5, with pup patty, $3, three Schmackos with a meal complimentary, homemade Bacchus bites of pumpkin and peanut butter, $2, and, when available, fresh meat bones, $2, in a puppy park.
Alter Ego & Co, Goodwood
Complimentary homemade bone-shaped dog treats made from natural and organic flour, oats, black flaxseed, peanut butter and turmeric. Or buy a bag of them, $8 or $12.
Let us know your favourite dog-friendly diners.