Gusto on the Green

Gusto on the Green sits inside the Balgowlah Golf Club clubhouse, with tables looking out over the course and a kitchen that runs breakfast and lunch for members and the general public alike. It is a proper course-side cafe rather than a club canteen: barista coffee from early morning, an all-day menu, and a bar pouring wine and beer from late morning at club prices. If you and your dog have been circling the fairways or the nearby harbour walks, this is an easy place to land afterwards.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating areas around the clubhouse, and the cafe keeps designated undercover tables for owners with dogs, so a passing shower does not end the visit. Indoor seating stays dog-free. Because the cafe sits inside an active golf course, dogs need to stay on lead and close to your table for the whole visit. Keep that lead on as you cross any part of the grounds, particularly near the greens.

Worth knowing

The menu leans casual and generous: avo toast on sourdough, toasties, wraps, big salads and rotating lunch specials, with an acai bowl for the warmer mornings. Reviewers consistently call out the relaxed, unpretentious feel and the friendly staff, and the cafe is open to everyone, not just golfers. The club also runs seasonal evening sessions with live music on select afternoons in the warmer months, which are worth a look if you are local.

Getting there and parking

The venue lists its address as 506 Sydney Road, Balgowlah NSW 2093, on the golf club grounds. There is parking on site, and the entrance, parking and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. Hours run roughly 8am to 2pm on weekdays and from about 7:30am to 3pm on weekends, so weekend brunch gets busiest.

Close by with the dogs

The Manly to Spit Bridge Coastal Walk starts a few minutes away in Balgowlah Heights and makes a good longer walk to pair with lunch. For a swim and an off-lead run, Clontarf Dog Beach is a short drive over the hill. Back in Balgowlah itself, L'Americano Espresso Bar is another dog-friendly coffee stop.

Pepsi: I got my own undercover table at the clubhouse and stayed dry through a whole cup of coffee. Fair dinkum service.

More dog-friendly cafes across the state are listed on the New South Wales cafes page, and local tips live on the Balgowlah destination guide.