ELMAS ON CLYDE

ELMAS ON CLYDE sits at Unit 40/54 Clyde Street, Hamilton North, in a converted industrial space a few minutes from Newcastle's Beaumont Street strip. The cafe bills itself as a kid, dog and human refuge, and the dog side of that promise is real: a large, shaded garden courtyard where dogs settle in for a proper meal rather than a takeaway wait.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor garden area, which is roomy and shaded, and staff are known for looking after four-legged guests, treats included. Keep your dog on lead, and pick a table on the edge on weekends when the kids corner is running, so tails stay clear of passing toddlers and food runners. Indoor access is not the default, so plan on the courtyard.

The vibe

The kitchen runs a worldly cafe menu rather than the standard eggs-and-smashed-avo script, with Vietnamese, Thai and Mediterranean influences across brunch plates, banh mi and the much-loved bacon, egg and halloumi roll. Specialty coffee holds up, opening hours run 7am to 2pm on weekdays with an 8am weekend start and a noon Sunday close, so breakfast is the play rather than dinner.

Getting there

Clyde Street sits off Maitland Road in Hamilton North, an industrial-tinged pocket between Islington and Tighes Hill, about ten minutes from Newcastle's centre. Street parking is available around the cafe, and it is walkable from the Hamilton station side if you are coming by train.

Pair it with

Let the dog run before brunch at the Islington Dog Off-Leash Area nearby, or head for the coast at the Merewether Dog Off-Leash Area. Biggs Coffee in Hamilton and Pingado in Islington are the second-visit options.

More options are on the NSW dog friendly cafes guide and the Hamilton North destination page.