Kate's Place

Kate's Place has been a Stirling Terrace fixture long enough that most of Albany treats it as the default breakfast, and the appeal with a dog is simple: designated outdoor seating looking over the harbour, with the indoor room kept for people and service animals. That split comes from the venue's own listing posture and consistent visitor reports rather than a published written policy, so it is worth confirming the outdoor section on a busy weekend.

The vibe

The outdoor tables give you the water view without the wait for inside, and on a clear morning the harbour does more decorating than any fitout could. Service runs 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday, with shorter 7am to 2pm windows on Saturday and Sunday, so a weekday lunch is the most relaxed dog slot. The room has an old building character that pairs well with a long table and a dog asleep at your feet.

Order around the classics: poached eggs, avo toast and paninis for the savoury side, potato cakes for the between-meals crowd, and a vanilla slice if the cabinet still has one. Coffee comes out promptly and the staff work the outdoor tables without being summoned, which matters when you cannot leave a leashed dog to chase anyone down.

While you're out there

Albany is compact enough to chain together. For a pastry and a second opinion on the town's coffee, Gourmandise & Co is the French style counter a short stroll away. Down on the waterfront, Due South is a reported dog friendly pick for dinner with the harbour in front of you. And if the trip becomes a stay, Cliff St. Cottage keeps the dog welcome under one roof.

Stirling Terrace parking runs along the front of the terrace and side streets, and it is free in most marked bays. The Albany destination page lists the area's dog friendly eating and stays, and the Western Australia cafes guide covers the rest of the Great Southern.