HOME Alstonville

HOME Alstonville sits on Main Street in the middle of town, and it has built a following on the back of house baked pies, sausage rolls and a cabinet that leans sweet. If you are passing through the Northern Rivers with your dog, the street-side tables out front are where you will both end up. Visitors regularly report that dogs are welcome at those outdoor seats on a leash, which lines up with the usual NSW rules that keep cafe interiors for people.

The dog setup

The front tables run along the footpath, so your dog can settle at your feet with a full view of Main Street life. Bring your own water bowl if your dog is fussy, and keep the lead clipped to something sturdy while you order. The team is generally easy going with well mannered dogs, and morning walk hours are the calmest time to claim a table.

The food is the reason locals keep coming back. Think golden pies, chunky sausage rolls and a rotating case of cakes and treats, with gluten free options marked out so nobody has to miss out. Coffee service runs all day Tuesday to Friday from 8am, and Saturday starts earlier at 7am before the town wakes up. Mondays and Sundays the doors are closed, so plan your visit around a weekday or Saturday morning.

Make a day of it

Alstonville is a easy base for a dog day out. Once you have eaten, wander up the street to Miles & Henry Bookstore Cafe, where the shelves are as much a drawcard as the coffee, or compare pies with the counter at Buckley's Chance on your way back to the car. For a proper run before the pastry, head to the off leash area at Alstonville Dog Park and let your dog burn off some energy first.

More dog friendly stops around the Northern Rivers are listed on the NSW cafes guide, and the full eating and walking lineup for town sits on the Alstonville destination page. Street parking runs along Main Street and the side streets behind the shops, and it is usually free and unstressed outside the Saturday morning rush.