Pacific Kebab & Pizza

Pacific Kebab & Pizza is a casual takeaway and dine-in spot on the Pacific Highway at Charlestown, and it carries a credential few late-night eateries can claim: it is listed on Lake Macquarie City Council's official register of dog-friendly food businesses. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating area, on a leash and under control.

The dog setup

The outdoor tables are the dog zone; keep your pup leashed beside you. It is a quick-service venue, so the vibe is relaxed and low-pressure, and council recognition means the outdoor area is a sanctioned setup rather than a tolerant one. There is no confirmed water bowl service, so bring your own water, especially on warm nights.

Worth knowing

The tandoori chicken pizza is the order that keeps coming up in reviews, and the homemade chilli sauce has a following of its own. Portions run generous and the food is consistently described as fresh and well-seasoned. Hours swing late: the shop opens from late afternoon and trades well past midnight, closing around 1am to 3am depending on the night, so check the current hours before making a late run. That makes it a handy pickup with the dog after an evening walk.

Close by with the dogs

The Charlestown dog exercise area beside the Dudley Road netball courts is leash-free at all times when netball is not in play, though it is unfenced and sits near a busy road, so it suits dogs with solid recall. For a fully fenced run, the Speers Point fenced dog park is a short drive west. If you want a sit-down option instead, In Forno Charlestown does dog-friendly outdoor Italian, and House of Roast in Cardiff covers the daytime shift.

Max: off-lead run at Dudley Road, then a tandoori chicken pizza on the footpath. My kind of evening.

More options are on the Charlestown destination page and in the New South Wales dog friendly cafes guide.