Sanctum Harbourtown

Sanctum is a casual coffee and brunch cafe inside the Harbour Town Premium Outlets at Biggera Waters, and it works for dog owners for one simple reason: Harbour Town is an open-air centre that allows leashed dogs along its outdoor walkways, so a shopping trip does not have to mean leaving the dog at home.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the alfresco seating, which you reach from the outdoor pedestrian walkways rather than through the cafe interior. Water bowls usually appear at the alfresco tables, and the centre keeps pet water stations around the outdoor malls. The standing rule is the centre's, not the cafe's: leashed and under control the whole time you are on the premises.

The vibe

It leans neighbourhood cafe: house-baked scones, specialty coffee, eggs benedict and rotating lunch specials, plus waffles for the kids. Visitors rate it well on food and service, though it sits behind the precinct's other cafes in the overall review tally, so treat it as a convenient break in the shopping day rather than a destination meal.

Getting there and parking

Harbour Town sits near the corner of the Gold Coast Highway and Oxley Drive at Biggera Waters, and parking is free and extensive. Aim for the outer northern or eastern sections for the quickest walk to the outward-facing cafes. Weekday mornings are calmest for both parking and a quiet table; the centre runs 7am to 5:30pm daily through the cafe.

While you're out there

The Napper Road dog agility park at Arundel is a short drive north if your dog needs a proper run, as is the Damian Leeding Memorial Park fenced dog park at Oxenford. Next door in the precinct, Jamaica Blue at Harbour Town is the alternative alfresco stop, and L'Etranger on Marine Parade fronts the Broadwater.

More options are on the Queensland dog friendly cafes list and in the Biggera Waters guide.