The Anchor Lakes Beach

The Anchor Lakes Beach operates out of the Lakes Beach surf life saving club on Budgewoi Road, right where the sand starts at Budgewoi on the NSW Central Coast. It is a beachfront cafe in the most literal sense: order at the counter, take a seat facing the water, and the beach itself is your view for the whole meal.

Dogs at the club

Diners report a dedicated dog menu and dog friendly outdoor seating around the surf club location, so the dog is part of the outing rather than a bystander watching from home. The outdoor tables around the club give you sightlines to the sand, and visiting diners describe staff as welcoming to four legged guests. Bring a lead and be mindful that this is a patrolled beachfront area, with swimmers and families moving through; settle into a table away from the main foot traffic and your dog will settle too.

Worth knowing

The menu covers the breakfast and lunch classics diners keep coming back for: eggs benedict, wraps and burgers, with gluten free options available. The ocean view gets top billing in visitor feedback, alongside mentions of the welcoming staff. Hours are 8am to 2pm Tuesday through Sunday, and the kitchen is closed on Mondays, so plan a weekday visit midweek or make it a weekend brunch run. Diners do note wait times can build during the busy middle-of-day stretch, which is the trade for a seat this close to the water.

The address is Lakes Beach SLSC, Budgewoi Road, Budgewoi NSW 2262. Parking sits at the surf club end of Budgewoi Road and the sand is only steps from the tables, which makes this an easy stop to fold into a beach morning. Off peak weekdays are the calmest window for tables and service alike.

For the full outing, the off leash stretch at Budgewoi Dog Beach sits nearby, and more dog friendly stops around town are listed on the Budgewoi destination guide.