White Rabbit Dolls point

White Rabbit is a cosy Italian-inspired cafe on the small Dolls Point shopping strip at 4/29 Clareville Ave, a block back from the Botany Bay foreshore. It is a practical coffee stop for dog owners: outdoor seating under a wide awning and staff with a reputation for a genuinely warm welcome, for two-legged and four-legged visitors alike.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables, which sit under the awning for shelter from sun and rain. Inside is generally people-only. Water bowls are usually available, and staff have been known to spoil visiting dogs. Keep your dog leashed and settled by your chair, as the strip is narrow and foot traffic passes close to the tables.

The vibe and the menu

The barista work is the headline, with the espresso drawing consistent praise from regulars. Brunch runs to chilli scrambled eggs, avocado toast and bacon and egg rolls, and the cabinet covers almond croissants and banana bread. Hours run from about 6am to 3pm weekdays, with a 7am start on weekends, though it is worth checking current hours before heading out.

Getting there and parking

Street parking is available on Clareville Avenue and the nearby residential streets, and it fills up on sunny weekends, so arrive early if you want a spot close by. The cafe is an easy walk from the foreshore path that runs the length of the bay.

Close by with the dogs

The flat Cook Park Trail along the Botany Bay foreshore is the obvious warm-up or cool-down walk. For an off-leash run, the Bona Park Off-leash Dog Area at Sans Souci is close by, the Kyeemagh Off Leash Dog Area sits up the bay, and Sandringham Harbour Dog Beach gives your dog a swim option a short drive south.

More of the area's dog-friendly venues are on the Dolls Point destination page, with the statewide list in the NSW cafes index.

Aim for a weekday morning for the calmest tables and the easiest parking.