The Corner 5 Cafe

The Corner 5 Cafe is a casual neighbourhood cafe at Shop 5, 399-407 Pacific Highway, Asquith, and one of the earliest openers on this stretch of the Upper North Shore, with doors open from 5:30am on weekdays. That timing suits the before-work dog walk better than almost anywhere nearby.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor courtyard tables and the footpath seating, with enough room for a dog to lie down beside you. Staff have a reputation for being accommodating with four-legged visitors, and water bowls are usually available, so ask when you order if one is not already out.

The vibe

It pours Campos coffee and turns out a fast, generous brunch: french toast, eggs benedict, corn fritters, hash browns and a prawn burger get the most mentions, and friendly staff are a recurring theme in reviews. Hours run from 5:30am weekdays and 6am Saturday, with Sunday from 7am, all wrapping at 3pm, so it is a morning-and-lunch venue. Early risers get the quietest tables and the freshest cabinets.

Pepsi: Coffee before the traffic wakes up, corn fritters for the humans, and room for me to stretch out in the courtyard.

Getting there

The cafe sits directly on the Pacific Highway close to Asquith station, with free street parking in the surrounding streets. Being right on the highway means some traffic noise at the front tables, but the courtyard shelters you from most of it, and the early opening means you will often have the pick of the seats before the commuter rush builds.

Pair it with

The Asquith Park Fenced Dog Park on Rotherwood Avenue is a short drive away for an off-lead run either side of brunch, and Cafe minamisan up the highway has a dog-friendly backyard if the courtyard here is full, with Savvy Coffee another local option. More dog friendly cafes in NSW and the Asquith guide are on site.