The Bistrot Cafe Freo

The Bistrot Cafe on Marine Terrace is a licensed Fremantle cafe built around a shaded garden courtyard, doing modern-Australian and European breakfast and lunch. It actively bills itself as pet-friendly, which makes it one of the more relaxed dog stops near the harbour end of town.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor courtyard and on the terrace, not inside. The courtyard is shaded by a large longan tree and has room to settle a leashed dog comfortably without crowding neighbouring tables. The cafe leans into the dog-friendly angle and treats are often on hand, though a bowl of your own is still smart to bring.

Worth knowing

It is a quieter, shaded courtyard spot rather than a busy street-front cafe, licensed for beer, wine and cocktails alongside the coffee and brunch menu; the crepes, French toast and dirty chai get regular callouts. Hours run 6:30am to 2pm daily, so it is a breakfast-and-lunch operation. A weekday morning is the calmest in the courtyard, and weekend brunch fills up, so arrive early for a shaded table with space for the lead.

Getting there and parking

Find it at 30 Marine Terrace, close to the harbour and Esplanade Reserve. Street parking on Marine Terrace and the surrounding blocks is City of Fremantle paid parking, and it is a short, flat walk from Fremantle station if you come in by train.

Close by with the dogs

The Esplanade Reserve is a few minutes away for an on-lead walk under the Norfolk pines, and the Fishing Boat Harbour boardwalk makes a easy coastal loop. The South Beach dog off-leash area is a short drive south for a proper run. GESHA Coffee Co up Queen Victoria Street is the other reliable dog-friendly alfresco table in town, and Broody Hen covers the coffee run.

More of Freo's dog-friendly venues are listed on the Fremantle destination page.