Spark Espresso Bar

Spark Espresso Bar sits at 106 Sirius Drive in the heart of Lakewood, on the Camden Haven coast of the NSW mid north coast, and the reason it earns a spot on a dog-owner's map is access: dogs are welcome both inside the cafe and out.

The dog setup

Standard cafe etiquette applies, so keep your dog calm and under control while you order and settle. Seating is casual, which makes it easy to park a dog alongside your chair, and the staff have a reputation for accommodating four-legged visitors. Indoors or out, the room is compact rather than sprawling, so a well-mannered dog is the price of entry.

Worth knowing

This locally owned shop is built on coffee, pouring specialty beans from Campo's Coffee, with a sideline in toasted sandwiches that regulars rate highly, plus banana bread, pastries baked in-house daily, açaí bowls with fresh berries and granola, a strong spread of gluten-free treats and plenty of vegetarian options. Dairy-free milk alternatives are stocked too. Service is friendly without being fussy. It trades weekday mornings and closes entirely on weekends, so this is a weekday habit rather than a Saturday destination.

Getting there and parking

Free street parking and a free on-site car park cover arrivals by car, and the entrance is wheelchair accessible. Lakewood is a short hop from Laurieton at the southern end of the Camden Haven strip.

Close by with the dogs

Queens Lake sits immediately north of Lakewood for a waterside leg-stretch before or after coffee. In nearby Laurieton, Bold Espresso Bar and my people both welcome dogs at outdoor tables, and Henry Kendall Canine Park gives your dog a dedicated off-lead run a few minutes away.

More stops are listed on the NSW cafes guide and the Lakewood destination page.