Tomato Lake Cafe

Tomato Lake Cafe sits right on the shore of Tomato Lake off Oats Street in Kewdale, and the combination it offers is the one dog owners are always chasing: dog-friendly outdoor seating with water views, and a full lake-loop walk starting at the front door. It opens 8am to 3pm Wednesday to Sunday and 9am to 3pm Mondays, closing Tuesdays.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome across the extensive outdoor area, which takes in a patio and grassed patches overlooking the lake, shaded by trees and umbrellas. Seating with a dog is outdoors only, and the expectation is a well-behaved dog kept under control. It is a popular refuelling stop for the local dog-walking crowd, so your dog will have company.

Worth knowing

The menu is honest cafe fare: coffee, breakfast, toasted sandwiches, fish and chips and gluten-free cakes, served at a family-friendly pace rather than a foodie one. Bird life on the lake is a genuine feature, and there is a playground adjacent, so weekends bring a crowd. Arrive early for the shaded outdoor tables; weekday mornings are the calm option if your dog prefers quiet.

Getting there and parking

Access is via Oats Street in Kewdale, with free parking immediately adjacent to the cafe and the lake reserve, including accessible bays. It is a short drive from Belmont, Rivervale and the airport side of the city.

Make a day of it

A level paved path loops right around the lake, an easy on-lead circuit shared with prams and families, so do the walk first and earn the table. If you are building a morning out, Koolbardi Park Fenced Dog Park in neighbouring Carlisle adds off-lead time, and The Daily Pour Kitchen is a second dog-friendly coffee option nearby.

More options are on the Western Australia dog friendly cafes guide and the Kewdale destination page.

Max: the lake circuit is shared territory, so keep the lead on and the left side rules. The pelicans have right of way and they know it.