Sydney has a love affair with dogs, from compact, pricked-eared Frenchies to long-limbed greyhounds. Go for a coffee on a Saturday morning and you’ll see them all out, tails wagging, noses sniffing and mouths looking for anything to gobble up. If you want your four-legged friend to join in the fun, grab their lead and follow your nose to these dog-friendly locations.
Storehouse on the Park in Rushcutters Bay welcomes dogs with open arms. Enjoy delicious meals, punchy coffees and lazy afternoon wines with Lassie by your side. If you both feel the need to burn off some energy afterwards, Rushcutters Bay Park just next door is a dog friendly zone 24/7. Go for a stroll along the foreshore, chase forgotten tennis balls near the courts or lay out a picnic blanket and watch the world go by.
If you want to take Rover for a swim, head slightly further east to Rose Bay. It’s one of Sydney’s few dog friendly beaches so make the most of it with a play on the sand and a splash in the water. Just remember to keep your pup on the leash until 4:30pm each day.
Feel like a drink? The Lord Dudley in Woollahra is a delightfully old-school pub which welcomes all manner of furry friends. Enjoy a cold beer and pork pie with your canine mate lying happily at your feet.
Located in the quiet streets of Chippendale, The Duck Inn Pub & Kitchen is another spot that welcomes your best friend. In fact, every Thursday they host a doggy date night where your pup can enjoy some treats, and you can enjoy a beer or two.
If the weather's not looking too good, head up the road to your old faithful. The London in Paddington is the perfect place to visit with Spot when you're both craving a juicy steak.
Heading further east to Bondi, make a pit stop right above the sand at The Bucket List where dogs are welcome at any of the outdoor tables. Soak up the view, catch glimpses of the stars of Bondi Rescue and tantalise your tastebuds with something from the extensive food and drinks menu.
Eastern beaches landmark Coogee Pavilion caters wonderfully to dogs, setting up water bowls and puppy parking alongside their outdoor seating. The other bonus here is the very friendly locals, many of whom will stop and give four-legged friends a nice long belly rub.
At the southern end of Coogee, next to Wylie’s Baths, you’ll find Trenerry Reserve. As well as offering glorious views over the beach and out to Wedding Cake Island, it’s also a dedicated off-leash area, meaning your little furball can run around to his heart’s content and make some lovely canine friends. It’s also a perfect spot for a picnic or to take the least-populated (but arguably most beautiful) section of the eastern coastal walk down towards Maroubra.
