Short Black Coffee

Short Black Coffee runs at 88 Terralong Street in the middle of Kiama's main strip, opening at 5am every day of the week for the surf crew and the early crowd. It is built for a fast, dependable coffee and something from the cabinet rather than a long brunch, and the footpath tables out front make it workable with a dog in tow.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor footpath tables; inside is service animals only. The honest caveat is that the sidewalk tables sit close together and Terralong Street foot traffic is constant, so this suits a settled, well-socialised dog far better than a nervous one. Water bowls are generally available but not guaranteed on a busy morning, so bring your own.

The vibe

The coffee is the anchor and the cabinet does the rest: banana bread, loaded cookies, Mars Bar slice and muffins, with bacon and egg rolls, a brisket toastie, hash browns and banana split waffles covering the savoury side. Service is quick and friendly, prices are sensible, and the whole operation hums until it closes at 2pm. First thing in the morning is the calmest window and the best light on the street.

Pepsi: 5am opening is no joke. Coffee, a bacon and egg roll, dog at my feet watching the town wake up. That's the move.

Getting there and parking

The cafe sits in the Kiama CBD on Terralong Street. Kerbside parking out front is handy but competitive on weekends; the streets one block back around Manning Street, or the public car parks near Kiama Library, are usually easier. Kiama Station is a flat ten-minute walk.

Close by with the dogs

Black Beach Park is a short walk for a leg stretch, and the Kiama Coast Walk is easy to reach from the streets behind the cafe. Bombo Beach to the north has off-lead hours, so check the council signage before unclipping, and Jamberoo Dog Park is a short drive inland. Diggies Kiama by the harbour is the other sit-down dog option in town.

See more dog friendly cafes in NSW or browse dog friendly Kiama.