The Spare Room

The Spare Room is a small, book-lined cafe at Shop 5, 575 Grange Road in Grange, a few blocks back from the Grange foreshore. It runs early and closes after lunch on weekdays and midday on weekends, which makes it a realistic first-stop option rather than an all-day sit. For dog owners the draw is simple: the outdoor seating along the footpath side takes dogs, so a beach walk and a proper brunch fit in the same morning.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the footpath-adjacent outdoor section, on a short leash, with water bowls usually put out. Because of standard food safety rules, dogs stay in the outdoor area only, so pick your table with that in mind. The footpath gets steady pedestrian traffic on weekend mornings, so a settle-stay under the table is worth practising before you arrive.

The vibe

The room is homey rather than polished, with shelves of books and hanging lanterns, and the cooking leans hearty. Expect smashed avo with chutney sauce, a bacon and egg brioche, hash browns and raisin toast with homemade butter, with a lime tart doing the rounds in the cabinet. Coffee is a genuine strong point, which matters when the queue at better-known Henley Square spots is out the door.

Getting there and parking

Street parking runs along Grange Road and the surrounding side streets, and it tightens up during peak weekend brunch hours, so arriving before 9am on a Saturday or Sunday is the safer bet. It is an easy walk from the Grange jetty end of the suburb, so you can fold it into a foreshore loop rather than driving twice.

Close by with the dogs

For an off-leash run before or after breakfast, West Beach Dog Beach (Northern Boundary) is a short drive south along the coast, and Grange Forest Park Fenced Dog Park sits on your doorstep if you would rather keep the dog off the sand. For a second coffee, The Local Canteen at Henley Beach is down the road and also takes dogs.

More options are listed in the South Australia dog friendly cafes guide and on the Grange destination page.