Portside Cafe

Portside Cafe sits right on the water at 15 Field Street in Huskisson, near the public wharf and the beach entry, with views over Currambene Creek and the bay. It is a casual waterfront spot away from the main-street bustle, and its flat, outdoor setting makes it an easy stop when you are walking the foreshore with a dog.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcomed in the outdoor dining areas on a leash. The seating is flat and reached directly off the adjoining public path, so there is no awkward step or squeeze with a lead, which is a genuine plus for older dogs and prams alike. Water bowls are typically about in the outside seating, but carry your own to be safe on busy summer mornings.

Worth knowing

The draw is the position as much as the plate: standard brunch and lunch fare, bacon and egg rolls, eggs benedict, oysters and banana bread, with the water doing the heavy lifting. Feedback is mixed, with wait times a recurring theme when the town fills, so allow extra time on busy mornings and treat it as a slow sit rather than a quick stop.

Getting there and parking

Street parking is available on Field Street and nearby, though it gets tight in peak summer. The cafe is a short walk from the main-street shops, so parking once and walking the foreshore is the easier plan.

Close by with the dogs

The cafe sits opposite the beach entry and the paths along the public wharf are good for a post-coffee stroll; check council signage for current off-leash areas before letting your dog off the lead. The Huskisson to Vincentia Shared Path makes a longer outing, Holiday Haven Huskisson Beach is the nearby dog-friendly stay, and other tables include Harley's @ Husky and Espresso Boy Doughnuts. The Huskisson destination page lists the suburb.

Weekday mornings beat the holiday rush. More options are under the NSW cafes listing.