Otherside Cafe

Otherside sits at 1/1 Banksia Drive in the Arts and Industry Estate, a few minutes off Ewingsdale Road and away from the beachfront crush. It is a genuine local hangout with strong coffee, a healthy brunch menu and a spacious shaded garden area where dogs are not just tolerated but actively welcomed, which has earned it one of the better reputations for dog-friendly dining in town.

The dog setup

Dogs settle in the outdoor garden seating on lead, with water usually on hand and staff who are good with them. Indoors is off-limits under NSW food rules. The garden gives dogs room to lie flat without blocking foot traffic, a rarity in Byron's tighter cafe strips. It does fill at brunch, so if your dog is anxious around crowds, aim for a midweek morning rather than the weekend rush.

The vibe

The kitchen leans healthy: acai bowls, avo toast, smoothies and the peanut butter cookie that regulars order on instinct, plus a rotating schedule of DJs that keeps the estate spot feeling more like a community yard than a cafe. Hours run 6:30am to 2pm on weekdays and 7am to 12:30pm on weekends, so it is a breakfast-and-lunch operation with an early finish. The estate setting means quieter, more spread-out surroundings than the town centre.

Getting there and parking

Turn off Ewingsdale Road into the Arts and Industry Estate and follow Banksia Drive. Parking in the estate is free, including spaces at or near the cafe, an easy contrast to the CBD's timed street parking. The estate's low-traffic side streets suit a short lead walk before you head back.

Make a day of it

Belongil Beach is a five to ten minute drive, and the Belongil Beach South dog exercise area is the natural afternoon pairing with time restrictions to check. Other dog-friendly listings nearby include Folk Byron Bay and the Barefoot Brew Room.

More options are on the NSW dog friendly cafes guide and the Byron Bay destination page.

Max: acai bowl in the garden, then point the car at Belongil before the afternoon wind picks up.