Bobby's Cafe Darlington

Bobby's Cafe is a small corner spot at Unit 13/7A Ivy Street in Darlington, the pocket suburb between Redfern and the University of Sydney. It opens 7am to 3pm on weekdays and to 4pm on weekends, and it trades on cheap, well-regarded coffee and generous brunch plates. Dogs are allowed at the outdoor seating, which is the main reason dog owners detour here.

The dog setup

The outdoor tables sit right on the corner junction, a compact footpath-style setup, so a settled dog matters at peak times. Indoor seating is for humans only. Staff will generally bring out a water bowl if you ask, but carrying your own is worthwhile on hot days, and the corner gets foot and bus traffic, so a dog comfortable with passing strangers will have the easier time.

What to order

Coffee is often two to three dollars with a food order, and early-bird specials make the pre-work run even cheaper. The kitchen is known for bacon and egg rolls, hash browns, Turkish toast, wraps and hearty brekky plates. Expect a wait when the student crowd lands; the small footprint means the line moves at its own pace, and weekday mornings before 8am are the quietest window to get an outdoor table with a dog in tow.

Getting there and parking

It is a short walk from Redfern Station and Broadway. Street parking around Darlington is tight and mostly permit or time-limited, so arriving on foot or by train is the practical option.

Close by with the dogs

Charles Kernan Reserve is a few minutes away for an on-lead leg stretch, and Mona off leash dog park in Chippendale gives a proper run before or after. Other nearby stops include Good Ways Deli in Redfern.

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