Old Maids

Old Maids is a busy, well-loved cafe on Park Street in central Brunswick Heads, a short roll from the river, and dogs are welcome at the tables out front. The kitchen trades in hearty burgers, breakfast rolls and solid coffee, which makes it an easy first stop before a beach or river walk.

The dog setup

Dogs sit at the pavement seating in front of the cafe, on lead beside you. Water bowls are often out for passing dogs but bring your own in the warmer months, and keep the lead short so the footpath stays clear for prams and passers-by. Order at the counter and grab a kerbside table; the street is central and easy to settle into.

The vibe

This is a genuine local favourite, so mornings get busy. The menu runs to burgers with sweet potato fries, a bacon and egg roll for the early crew, halloumi, chai and acai bowls, with vegan options alongside. Hours start early at 6:30am every day, wrapping at 3pm Monday to Wednesday and running through to 8pm Thursday to Sunday, so it covers breakfast, lunch and dinner late in the week.

Getting there and parking

The cafe sits on Park Street in the middle of town, easy to walk to from the river or the footbridge. Street parking is available on Park Street and surrounding streets, though it fills through weekends and holiday periods, so come early.

Close by with the dogs

Heads up from Byron Shire Council rules: dogs are banned entirely from Terrace Park and Torakina Park by the water, and the river foreshore and town footpaths are on-lead. For a proper run, the off-leash stretch of Main Beach starts about 50m south of the surf club and runs 400m toward Tyagarah, wet-sand zone only, no dunes. The Main Beach dog exercise area and Bruns Beach both cover it, and Footbridge Cafe is the other dog-friendly table in town.

Max: Skip Terrace Park, the council bans dogs there. The beach south of the surf club is where the fun is.

More options sit in the New South Wales cafe guide, or browse Brunswick Heads for the whole town.