Sunnyside Cafe

Sunnyside sits right on the Esplanade at Henley Beach with its front deck looking straight over the sand, and its dog policy is refreshingly free of fine print: the venue itself has posted that dogs big and small are welcome on the deck, treats included. It is a beachfront cafe and bar built for brunch, with coffee through to bottomless mimosas.

The dog setup

Dogs take the front deck and balcony overlooking the beach, with the indoors off limits. There is ramp access onto the deck, which makes life easy for older dogs, smaller dogs and anyone pushing a pram alongside. Staff usually bring a water bowl and the treats flow, though a backup bowl is smart on scorching days. The deck faces the water, so it is a proper seat rather than an afterthought corner.

Pepsi: The deck faces the waves and the ramp makes getting up easy, so this is a good first outing for a dog still learning to settle near a busy beach.

The vibe

Busy, social and view-first: pancakes, eggs benedict with pork belly, breakfast tacos and fish tacos lead the menu, with cocktails on the list once the morning is done. Doors open at 8am and trade wraps around 2pm daily. Weekends fill fast with the brunch crowd, so a nervous dog will thank you for a midweek table.

Getting there and parking

The cafe is at 245 Esplanade, Henley Beach. Free street parking and a nearby free car park both fill quickly on weekends and through summer, so the dependable play is parking a few streets back and walking in along the foreshore path, which the dog will enjoy more anyway.

Make a day of it

The Henley foreshore path runs straight past for an on-lead walk, and the sand itself follows City of Charles Sturt rules: on lead from 10am to 8pm in daylight saving, off lead outside those hours, so check the signage at your access point. The off-lead stretch at West Beach Dog Beach is down the coast for a proper swim, and the fenced Grange Forest Park Fenced Dog Park is the secure option inland. Henley Breeze Cafe is the neighbouring beachfront dog-friendly alternative.

More of the strip is on the Henley Beach destination page and the South Australia cafes list.