Drip Coffee Traders

The setup. Drip Coffee Traders is a small, locally loved espresso bar on the Collaroy Plateau shopping strip, and it is one of the more genuinely dog-friendly cafes on the northern beaches. Dogs settle in at the open-air tables right out front while you queue for a flat white.

Dog access. Seating is outdoor only, in front of the shop on Aubreen Street. There is no indoor dog area. Staff are used to dogs underfoot, and a puppyccino (warm frothed almond milk) or a Roo Chew treat turns up for well-behaved visitors. Keep dogs leashed at your table, since it is a working footpath with regular foot traffic.

Known for. Espresso and cold drip coffee are the drawcard, alongside quick breakfast and brunch bites. It has a genuine community feel, the kind of place where the barista knows your dog's name before yours.

Getting there. Free street parking and a small free car park sit right by the shops on Aubreen Street, so it is an easy stop rather than a destination in itself.

When to go. Weekday mornings are calmer if you want a table with your dog; weekends bring the local crowd out early, so get there before mid-morning if you want to sit rather than stand.

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.