The Deli Bilgola cafe

The Deli Bilgola is a small neighbourhood cafe on Plateau Road in the middle of Bilgola Plateau, and it is genuinely dog-friendly rather than just dog-tolerant, with treats on hand for anyone who arrives on four legs. It is the plateau's local coffee stop, and the outdoor tables make it an easy one with the dog.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables out front. It is footpath and street-side seating rather than a fenced courtyard, so keep dogs on lead and close, since Plateau Road carries steady local traffic. Staff are friendly about canine visitors and treats are usually available, but water is not guaranteed, so pack a bowl, and give your dog a moment to settle before you queue at the counter since the footpath is narrow at peak times.

The menu and the vibe

Expect breakfast, gourmet sandwiches and wraps, and coffee roasted by The Grounds. Regulars come as much for the friendly staff and the relaxed plateau atmosphere as for the menu. Hours run 6am to 2:30pm on weekdays and 7am to 2pm on weekends, and weekend mornings get busy, so the first hour beats a 9am arrival if you want an outdoor table with the dog.

Getting there and nearby

Free street parking runs along Plateau Road and Bilambee Avenue. Bilgola Beach is a short drive or a steep walk down the hill for an on-lead stroll, though it is not an off-leash beach. Head north instead: the fenced run at Newport Park is a few minutes away, and Girdlers Cafe Avalon is another dog-friendly coffee stop up the road.

More dog-friendly venues around the beaches are on the Bilgola Plateau destination page, with the wider list in the NSW cafes index.