Cool Mac

Cool Mac is a Japanese-inspired fusion cafe at 2/34 Burton Street, Kirribilli, a short walk up from Milsons Point station and the ferry wharf. It has built a dedicated local following on specialty coffee and brunch dishes with a Japanese accent, and for dog owners the deal is simple: the outdoor footpath tables directly in front of the shopfront are open to dogs, while the room inside is not.

The dog setup

You and your dog take a table on the Burton Street footpath. Staff are friendly to pets and water bowls are generally available or easy to arrange on request. Burton Street carries steady foot traffic and the tables sit close to it, so keep your dog tucked in beside you rather than ranging into the walkway. The shopfront faces a leafy stretch that turns brilliant over jacaranda season, which is as good a backdrop as any footpath table in Sydney gets, though it also draws extra crowds when it flowers.

The vibe

The kitchen works a compact Japanese-fusion menu: mazesoba and dry ramen bowls, salmon congee, udon, mentaiko toast and creative toastie-style plates, rotating with the seasons. The coffee is precise and gets called out constantly, with iced barley tea among the colder options. Weekend mornings run busy and tables turn over hard, so a weekday brunch is the calmer proposition if your dog prefers a quieter street.

Getting there and parking

Public transport is the smart play: Milsons Point train station and the ferry wharf are both a few minutes' walk, and dogs travel on ferries. Street parking on Burton Street is tight and timed, and nearby options such as the Luna Park car park fill on weekends.

Pepsi: Arrive early on weekends if you want a footpath table, especially during jacaranda season when the area draws extra crowds.

While you're out there

Milson Park is a small harbourside green a short walk away for a pre- or post-meal leg-stretch, and the harbour foreshore paths around Kirribilli make an easy on-lead wander. For a proper walk, the Waverton Park to Balls Head Reserve loop is a short drive or an extended stroll around the point. For another coffee nearby, Altitude Coffee House is over at Milsons Point.

For more dog friendly dining around the state, browse our guide to dog friendly cafes in NSW, or see the Kirribilli destination guide.