Yilki Store

Yilki Store is a casual beachside kiosk on Franklin Parade in Encounter Bay, directly across the road from the water, and dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables while you queue for chips and a coffee. It is a quick-bite, walk-and-refuel kind of place that suits a coastal dog walk perfectly.

The dog setup

Dogs are fine at the outside, ocean-view tables, with room to tuck a lead around a chair leg without blocking the footpath. Staff are used to dogs coming through and typically put a water bowl out, though it pays to bring your own on a hot day.

Worth knowing

Locals rate the hot chips, steak sandwiches, bacon and egg rolls and burgers, and it opens early, from 6am daily. This is grab-and-go rather than a sit-down meal, which is exactly what you want at the end of a beach walk. Come in the cool of the morning or late afternoon in summer when the outside tables are at their best.

Getting there and parking

Free street parking runs along Franklin Parade right outside. A paved walking path follows the coast directly in front of the store, and Yilki Beach is a short stroll down the track.

Close by with the dogs

City of Victor Harbor rules let dogs off-lead under effective control on Encounter Bay beaches outside daylight savings, with timed windows (off-lead before 10am and after 6pm) during daylight savings; dunes and river mouths stay on-lead year round. The Encounter Bikeway runs right past the door for an on-lead leg stretch toward Victor Harbor. For a fenced run, the Victor Harbor fenced dog park is a short drive into town. Other dog-friendly tables up the coast include Aras Cafe and the Cockles Cafe at Port Elliot.

More Fleurieu picks are listed on the Encounter Bay destination page.