Mr. Benedict

Mr. Benedict is the courtyard cafe on Dean St that Albury keeps recommending. The large undercover courtyard is where leashed dogs are welcome, a setup visitors report often and one that works year round: covered from summer sun, sheltered in winter. Hours are 7am to 3pm Wednesday through Saturday, 8am to 3pm Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday, so plan around the early-week break. The corner position makes the courtyard easy to spot from the street.

The kitchen leans indulgent. Corn fritters with hollandaise, french toast, a chicken and waffle plate and a mushroom toastie are the orders that keep coming up, and the coffee program supports them properly. Portions are the other reason the plates get photographed so often. It is a sit-down brunch venue rather than a grab-and-go counter, so budget time for a table.

Worth knowing

Two things catch people out: the Monday and Tuesday closure, and the weekend wait for a courtyard table. Dean St parking is metered street parking, so allow a lap around the block. The venue site itself carries no dog policy text, so the courtyard welcome comes by word of mouth and the Google listing; if you are bringing a large or anxious dog, a weekday visit is the calmer option. Mornings are quieter than the 10am rush, and the courtyard keeps its light well into the afternoon.

Close by with the dogs

Albury's dog-friendly lineup runs deep for a border town. Green Zebra Albury is the other cafe locals pair with this one, Public House takes over for lunch and dinner, and Allawa Motor Inn is a pet-friendly stay within walking distance. Our Albury guide and the NSW cafe list fill in the rest of the map.