Cafe YS9

Cafe YS9 is a small, chef-led brunch and coffee spot on Todman Avenue in Kensington, and it has settled into the neighbourhood as a genuine locals' room rather than a destination cafe. Dogs are welcome at the footpath tables out front, which makes it an easy first stop on a walk through the block before the weekend rush builds.

The dog setup

Dogs sit with you at the outdoor tables along Todman Avenue, on a lead. There is no indoor access for dogs, but the footpath tables are where the regulars with dogs park themselves anyway, and the compact setup means you are never far from the barista. Bring a water bowl in warm weather as the footpath space is tight and turnover is quick.

Worth knowing

The kitchen is the draw. The prawn burger, chilli eggs and lamb shawarma come up again and again, and the servings are big enough that one plate covers two people who have already walked a few kilometres. Coffee runs on Paradox Coffee Roasters beans, and the acai bowls and matcha fill out the lighter end of the menu. Weekday service runs 7am to 3pm, weekends from 7:30am.

Getting there and parking

Street parking on Todman Avenue and the surrounding residential streets is limited, so allow a few minutes to find a spot. Bus stops along the main road put the cafe at the end of a public transport leg too, which suits a one-way walk with the dog.

Close by with the dogs

Kensington Park is a short walk for a run around after coffee. If you want an enclosed option, Firmstone Reserve Fenced Dog Park at Pagewood is a few minutes' drive. For a second coffee or a meal, Bar Lucio is on the same strip and Two Fives Cafe sits over at Rosebery.

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

Max: weekday mornings are the calm window at the footpath tables. Come 9am Saturday the brunch queue arrives and the compact footpath fills fast.