Apex Espresso Bar

Apex Espresso Bar sits on the Gymea Bay Road shopping strip and opens at 5am, seven days, closing mid afternoon. That early start is the whole point for dog owners: it is a natural first stop on a morning walk, and dogs are welcome at the footpath tables out front.

The dog setup

Dogs join you at the outdoor seating along the main road, so a dog comfortable with passing foot traffic is the prerequisite. Water bowls are not officially advertised, so bring your own, and keep the lead tucked close given the shopfront sits right on the footpath.

The vibe

It pours Campos coffee and has built a reputation as the local specialty-coffee stop, with fresh brunch and dessert options alongside the drinks. It is a fast-moving espresso bar rather than a lingering brunch room, which suits the early crowd and keeps the footpath tables turning over.

Pepsi: the 5am open is the trick here. Get your coffee while the strip is still quiet and you will have the footpath to yourselves before the shopping rush.

Getting there and parking

Free street parking runs along Gymea Bay Road with a free lot nearby, and Gymea station is a short walk. The village strip itself is easy leashed walking between coffee stops.

Close by with the dogs

The Gymea Hotel near the station has a large dog-friendly outdoor area if you want a slower session later, and Cafe Twelve is another table on the same strip.

For a proper run beforehand, the Helena Street Park Fenced Dog Park in Kirrawee is a few minutes away, which makes a park-then-coffee loop easy. More options are on the NSW dog friendly cafes guide and the Gymea destination page.