Dog-friendly dining in the Margaret River region
No need to leave the dogs behind! Here is the full low down on dog friendly dining down south,
plus insider tips on where to find the best dog beaches and more.
We get it - dogs are a part of the family, and nothing beats bringing them along on your adventures. Fortunately for you, Margaret River’s exquisite hospitality extends to everyone, four-pawed pals included! From one dog lover to another, here is our list of the best dog friendly stops to add to your itinerary.
(just FYI - our recommendations are never paid. We are simply sharing our love and knowledge of this awesome part of the world, and every venue listed is here because we know you’ll love it. ENJOY!❤️)
PUBS & BREWERIES
Wildwood Road, Yallingup
Our top pick for an epic brewery lunch! Think family-style feasts served alongside an ever-rotating menu of 11 house brewed beers. There’s outdoor and undercover seating so you’ll be safe and dry whatever the weather, and there’s an awesome play area if you’re travelling with the kids. Well-behaved pups on lead are always welcome!
Bussell Highway, Metricup
Set on a converted dairy farm, Beerfarm brew beer with character and serve up farm-style food in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. They’ve got a huge lawn, indoor and outdoor seating, plus an epic steak night every Friday that should not be missed!
Busselton Foreshore
Grab yourself a spot on the terrace overlooking the Busselton Jetty and enjoy great food, great beer and epic sunset views. They have two conditions of entry - one is that the dogs can’t come inside, and two that you have to let the staff pat them. Seems fair to us?
CAFES & COFFEE SHOPS
Dunn Bay Road, Dunsborough
The local favourite, La Lah is open for brunch, lunch, coffee and cocktails seven days a week. It’s right in the heart of town and close to some stunning dog friendly beaches, making it the perfect pit stop pre or post walk, plus they always have treats on hand for their favourite customers 🐶. Best of all, if you join the La Lah VIP club, you get to enjoy 10% off drinks on every visit! Find out more.
Gnarabup, Margaret River
If you’re looking for a dog-friendly brunch or lunch with ocean views, this is the spot. We recommend parking at Surfer’s Point then walking the coastal path along to the café. Stop off at Riflebutts Dog Beach for a refreshing dip afterwards. (As always, ensure you respect all signage regarding on and off leash areas)
Wildwood Road, Carbanup River
We love this peaceful spot for something off the beaten track! It’s a cosy cafe serving up homemade farm style meals - they have the BEST fresh scones and homemade jam (the plum is our favourite!) plus savoury pies with homemade shortcrust pastry. YUM. You can also hang out with their friendly animals including chooks and guinea pigs - a major hit with the little ones!
RESTAURANTS & WINERIES
Caves Road, Yallingup
Swings is the perfect spot to spend the afternoon with your doggo in tow. They have everything you’ll need - wine tastings, woodfired pizza, a big adventure playground for the kids and plenty of shade for the pooch to lounge around. Dogs are welcome on the lead, and we recommend booking in peak season as it gets busy!
Eagle Bay, Naturaliste
If you like to sip rosé whilst enjoying panoramic ocean views, then you’ll love Wise. Stop by for lunch, explore their selection of wine and gin in the tasting room, or just wander in for a glass of wine and dessert. Dogs are allowed in their sunny courtyard, but there aren’t any wet weather options so save this one for a bright day!
Wilyabrup
This is one of our absolute favourites for a relaxed lunch. It is set amongst an impressive background of marri and jarrah forest and has a cellar door and cafe open daily for breakfast and lunch. The food is top notch with generous serves and exceptional value for money. Dogs are welcome in their undercover courtyard or beautiful shady pergolas overlooking the bush. There is also a green and play area so perfect if visiting with little ones!
Dunsborough Town
If you’re looking for a cool spot for dinner and drinks in Dunsborough, Bungalow is the place to go! Woodfired pizza, cocktails, live DJ’s and a chilled festoon-lit courtyard that is made for balmy summer nights. Dogs are permitted outside, bookings are recommended in peak season. It gets busy in summer so best for dogs who are chilled out in busy places ❤️
Wilyabrup
Rustico is a great spot for an elevated dining experience with your pooch in tow. They offer a 5-course Mediterranean inspired degustation menu with a vineyard backdrop that is pretty as a picture. Combine it with a wine tasting at Hay Shed Hill and you’ve got a delightful afternoon to enjoy!
FAMILY FRIENDLY ADVENTURES
Commonage Road, Dunsborough
If you’re in the region and you’ve got kids (and dogs) in tow, you do not want to miss a stop at Simmo’s. They’ve been in town for over 25 years, and it’s easy to see why this down south icon is such a hit. They have over 60 ice cream flavours to choose from, plus 18 hole mini golf, an adventure playground and expansive grassy parkland where the kids can run around, kick a ball, set up the cricket or simply relax under the shade of the trees.
Rosa Glen, Margaret River
A treat for the whole family - adventure playground and farm animals for the little kids, cellar door and cafe for the big kids. They make their own wine, cider, jams and preserves and have a selection of delicious homemade cakes that will make you feel truly indulged! Dogs are always welcome, just make sure they are on the leads and don’t let them too close to the animals.
INSIDER TIPS
Best Dog Beaches
(IMPORTANT: always check signage, follow the rules and clean up after your dog to ensure our beaches stay beautiful ❤️)
Quindalup Boat Ramp- perfect spot to enjoy a leisurely walk + swim, plus it’s very family friendly as the water is calm and shallow.
Dunsborough Foreshore- enjoy the walk from town to Dunsborough boat ramp. It’s especially fun at low tide when you can walk along the sandbanks!
(Top tip: grab a takeaway coffee and banana choc muffin from La Lah to enjoy on the walk)
Eagle Bay(North Beach)- a stunning beach with white sand and turquoise sea. Be sure to check signage as some sections are not dog friendly.
Bunker Bay - an exceptional spot all year round. Set up for a family beach day in summer, or enjoy whale watching in winter/spring.
Top tip: Grab a takeaway coffee or ice-cream from the Kofe Kabana at ilma Beach House to enjoy as you walk.
Yallingup- this iconic beach is a haven for beach lovers and surfers alike. The popular Yallingup Lagoon isn’t dog friendly so we recommend parking up at Dawsons Drive. (Note: the shorebreak here can get a bit gnarly if there’s a lot of swell so always keep an eye on kids and dogs to ensure everyone stays safe ❤️)
Gracetown- This sheltered bay is a great spot to cool off and is popular with surfers too. The dog beach is on the far side of the bay, and in peak season it can get busy so it’s best for sociable dogs who are keen for a play with the pack! Keep an eye on the schedule at Hooked Up Fish & Chips, they park up at Gracie’s in the summer so you can treat yourself to a sunset walk with some local fish and chips!
Good To Know
Gypsea Tailsoffers an amazing nature based doggy day care service if you fancy a dog-free outing.
Along The Coast Tours offer the best dog-friendly wine tours in town! They do private transfers with door-to-door pick up for your group and your dogs in their mini bus. You can visit multiple pet-friendly, world-class wineries with access to some dog treats along the way!
There you have it - the full low down on how to make the most of your holiday with the pooch in tow.
ENJOY! XO
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Need more inspiration? Check out our 3-Day Dunsborough Itinerary for the ultimate winter escape.
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None of our recommendations are paid or affiliate sponsors. They are simply our favourite experiences after years of living in Dunsborough. We hope you enjoy!