Here are the best pet-friendly cafes on the Gold Coast as voted by you
IF you’re a dog owner, this list tells you exactly where to go when you’ve got your furry friend in tow. If you don’t own a dog own, follow this list to score free pats from excited pups.
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IF you’re a dog owner, you’ll love this list because it tells you exactly where to go when you’ve got your furry friend in tow. If you’re not a dog owner, you’ll love this list because it tells you exactly where to go to score free pats from excited pups — and maybe even a horse, goat, cat or deer if you’re extra lucky. Here are the top ten best pet-friendly cafes on the Gold Coast, as voted by you.
10. Anchor Buoy Cafe, Sanctuary Cove
The Marine Village, Masthead Way
5514 8270
You can lap up the waterside views of the Sanctuary Cove Marina while your pup laps up freshwater from a pet bowl.
While the menu is fantastic, Anchor Buoy might be one place where pooch’s food is just as delicious with regularly changing, homemade doggie treats available.
The latest concoctions are beetroot, kale and parmesan canine cookies or zucchini, peanut butter and cinnamon.
These all natural, healthy treats are just one of the reasons Gold Coasters think Anchor Buoy Cafe is a great option for pets and humans alike.
9. Dune Cafe, Palm Beach
945 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
5521 0951
With a dog-friendly off-leash beach close by, Dune Cafe is the perfect stopover for families and exhausted pooches.
Front-of-house manager Tahlia Ebert said they recently added some more dog-friendly areas to their cafe.
“We’ve always had a lovely big shaded umbrella allocated out the front of the cafe for our customers to tie their dog up at when they visit,” she said.
“We’ve recently allocated some extra seating at that side of our cafe for the customer to be able to sit at with their dogs.
“Being located next to the dog-friendly beach, it’s really popular for people to take their pets for a morning walk and come in after without taking their pet home first.”
Even though Tahlia and the crew see dogs all day every day, she said they’re still powerless against their adorable appeal.
“We see so many beautiful dog each day the highlight though has to be all the puppies, you can’t walk past without having a pat and a cuddle,” she said.
8. Le Cafe Gourmand
2545 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
5572 7793
This little French spot is so authentic you might actually spot a French bulldog nibbling on a freshly baked baguette.
Owner Remi Baron said le Cafe Gourmand is so popular because of the expanse of rolling green grass where pups can relax while their owner does the same.
“We have people that come every day with their dogs,” Remi said.
“We have a big open yard and we sell doggie ice cream so they can have a treat.”
While Remi is a dog lover himself, there are no pets in the Baron household.
“I have two kids so if I had a dog as well it would make things very hectic,” he laughed.
7. The Chef’s Daughter, Robina
71/2 Arbour Ave, Robina
5575 7085
If you’re looking for an unlikely spot where all creatures great and small are welcomed, look no further than The Chef’s Daughter in the heart of Robina.
“Dogs are not the only pets that come to our cafe; our regular Neil rides his horse to our cafe once in a while,” owner Lily Ma said.
“We always have a bunch of carrots around as a great snack.
“Pets are our best friends — our customers’ pets are as much a part of our cafe as the customers themselves are.”
It’s a welcoming attitude, plenty of freshwater and an open space that makes this spot so pet friendly.
“A lot of our customers live in the neighbourhood and walk their dogs on a daily basis,” Lily said.
“We have an airy open space in the front of the cafe that makes it easier for our customers to bring their pets with them.
“We’ve also got water bowls for doggies to enjoy a water break while their owners enjoy a coffee break.”
6. Cafe Catalina
Broadwater Parklands, 10/11 Gold Coast Hwy, Southport
5571 0390
Cafe Catalina might just be the only place on the Gold Coast who has a special entrance for our four legged friends.
“We welcome them with warmth, water, treats and a VIP entrance — that’s for Very Important Pooches,” owner Anna Whitcombe said.
“Life just isn’t complete without a dog — being dog owners ourselves we understand that a dog isn’t just a pet, it’s a companion and friend.
“But we also ensure that we are in consideration of our human guests as well.”
Being so close to the bustling Broadwater Parklands, Anna said they are in the “perfect position” if dogs and their owners want to rest and recharge after a walk.
Cafe Catalina have even had some very special moments with some very special pups.
“Coco the dancing schnauzer has visited and Duke the placid labradoodle,” Anna said.
“There was Turbo the Sunday-session loving dachshund and we hosted Daisy the whippet’s birthday party and the unassuming group of rescued greyhounds that like to laze in the sun. “There’s just too many cute moments to choose from — all of our canine guests are memorable.”
5. Elephant Rock Cafe
776 Pacific Parade, Currumbin
5598 2133
Greg Colwill has always ha
d a soft spot for animals, which is why 40 years ago he became a vet. Although he still has his accreditation his interactions are slightly different, providing a sanctuary for both pups and their owners.
“We’ve always been pet-friendly since we opened in 1990, the council have been with us and against us on and off but at the moment they’re with us, which is great,” he said.
“We get mostly dogs, but one time we had a Bambi.
“A lot of them recognise me, we have a little sharpei cross staffy — Chipolata — who bolts towards me when she sees me.”
A true animal lover, Greg has two pups himself on top of being a fun uncle to every dog that visits his cafe.
“I’ve got a bichon and an American staffy,” he said.
“The bichon is a bit older and she’s the boss, she tells the staffy what to do and he just takes it.”
4. Raw Espresso
59/73 Meron St, Southport
5571 0357
facebook.com/rawespressosouthport/
Raw Espresso owner Mark Fannin said he loves making the place friendly for his furry pals and goes out of his way to do so.
“We have a pet-friendly menu that has been created for dogs with homemade baked treats and we have dog sundaes for Sunday, which is a dog-friendly ice cream,” he said.
“We have the space here and are always like being a place people feel comfortable bringing their pets.
“I love dogs, sometimes I remember the dog’s name but not the customer’s.”
Mark is the proud owner of Si the Siberian husky, who is a regular visitor and has his own doggie blanket in the shop.
“Obviously my favourite is my boy Si, who we basically named out of laziness,” Mark laughed.
“But we have Mighty Rufus who’s a British bulldog and he’s just fantastic every time he comes in.
“We love all dogs, all dogs are welcome.”
3. Parc-Bah Espresso
4/19 Alicia St, Southport
5532 9927
Parc-Bah Espresso have gone out of their way to ensure pets are treated like royalty when they visit.
Being surrounded by canine hot-spots including a popular dog park, groomer and regular puppy obedience schools, it made sense to make Parc-Bah a place both species could enjoy.
The eatery boasts a menu designed especially for dogs, featuring mini-meals, frozen treats and snacks-to-go.
If you’re not a dog owner, this is the perfect spot to visit to guarantee a few not-so-accidental run-ins with playful pooches.
2. Harvest Moon
Central Arcade, 30 James St, Burleigh Heads
5520 0998
While Harvest Moon is predominantly a night-time venue, they still attract an animal crowd over the weekend.
Who better to comment on their welcoming canine attitudes than Kingsley the miniature long-haired Dachschund, who communicated via email.
“I loved Harvest Moon because they spoiled us with lots of love and cuddles, I felt as though I was a human with two legs,” Kingsley wrote.
“I went there with River who is also in the picture.
“River is my girlfriend — I know I’m a bit young but it was licks and love from first sight.”
Owned and run by Diana Nairn, Harvest Moon is well-known for their killer espresso martini, but Kingsley must refrain from drinking.
“I am a whole nine months old,” he said.
“Unfortunately Ma says I am too young for cocktails, but I love puppacinos so that makes up for it.”
1. Le Vintage Cafe
Corner Goodman Cl and Hinkler Dr, Worongary
5596 6118
Both Le Vintage Boutique Cafe locations in Worongary and Nerang are safe havens for animals, being strategically located out of the hustle and bustle.
If you think it’s just pups people take in though, you’d be wrong.
“Not long ago we had someone bring in a baby goat and everyone just went into meltdown because it was so cute,” co-owner Nick Aston said.
“Sometimes people also bring their cats in, there’s one cat that comes in who is extremely social, which is weird for a cat.
“A friend of mine was taking care of it for someone he knew; they found it in the Nerang State Forest and adopted it.”
Being on the outskirts of town but central to the suburbs means there’s plenty of pets around to visit the team on a regular basis.
“All the locals have a lot of dogs so they’ll come in with them while they’re on their morning walk and because we open at 5am they can come in and have a coffee,” Nick said.
“It’s awesome being able to offer somewhere people can bring their dogs so they can both get out of the house.
“The dogs always get a Smacko or some chicken to keep them happy — I don’t think it’s anything out of the ordinary really it’s just what we’ve always done.”
With their eclectic tastes in decor, Le Vintage Boutique Cafe has acquired some crazy bits and pieces over the years including dachshund themed chairs, which is fitting since they are their most common canine customer.
“Sometimes there are 10 to 12 dogs here and we host the Dachshund Club so we’ll sometimes have a group of crazy dachshund ladies for their catch-up,” Nick said.
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