The White Rabbit Cafe, Bar and Grill

The White Rabbit Cafe, Bar and Grill is Keiraville's cosy neighbourhood brunch spot, sitting on the suburb's small shopping strip within sight of the University of Wollongong. It is explicitly dog friendly, and the alfresco courtyard out the front is where dogs settle in while their people work through a hearty brunch menu.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the alfresco courtyard and outdoor seating, which is spacious by footpath-cafe standards and runs fans in summer and heaters when the Illawarra chill sets in, so it is usable most of the year. Water is readily accommodated for visiting dogs, though a collapsible bowl is handy at peak times. Keep the lead short so the footpath stays clear for passers-by.

Max: the courtyard's size is the selling point. There is room for a big dog to lie flat without becoming an obstacle course.

Worth knowing

The kitchen runs Tuesday to Friday from 7am to 3:30pm, with shorter Saturday and Sunday services wrapping by 1pm and Mondays closed. Eggs benedict and an acai bowl cover the breakfast side, while the philly cheesesteak and the loaded hashbrown cheesie are the indulgent picks, plus thick milkshakes. Weekday mornings are the calm window; the university crowd and weekend brunchers fill it otherwise.

Getting there and parking

The cafe sits on the Keiraville shopping strip, a few minutes' drive from Wollongong's centre. Street parking out front turns over quickly on Saturday mornings, so the side streets are the fallback. The university grounds nearby have leafy paths that suit an on-lead walk either side of coffee.

Close by with the dogs

The Giddy Goat is the other dog-friendly option on the same strip. For something bigger, Lee and Me sits in central Wollongong, and Coniston Dog Beach is a short drive south for an off-leash run.

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