Shadows Cafe

Shadows Cafe is a casual, well-liked homestyle cafe at 143 Gilbert Street in the middle of Latrobe, the sort of place for a chicken burger, a pastie and a proper coffee rather than a fine-dining production. It is a practical stop if you are breaking up the drive off the Spirit of Tasmania or heading out along the Mersey.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor courtyard seating, not inside the dining room, which is the standard arrangement for Tasmanian cafes under food-premises rules. Access runs through the main entrance, so have a quick word with staff on arrival about where to settle. Bring your own water bowl rather than assuming one is out; this is a working town cafe, not a dedicated dog venue.

Pepsi: order the chips. Homestyle kitchen, generous basket, and the courtyard is close enough to the counter that nobody minds a well-behaved dog watching.

Worth knowing

Hours run from 6:30am to 2pm, seven days, so this is a breakfast and lunch stop rather than dinner. The menu is simple and honest, with burgers, pasties, cakes and takeaway, and the service has a reputation for being pleasant and quick.

Getting there and parking

The cafe sits right on Gilbert Street in central Latrobe, with free street parking generally available out front or on the surrounding streets. Entry is level and step-free, which helps when you have a dog in tow.

Close by with the dogs

Walk it off afterwards at Thompsons Park by the river, or head to the Latrobe Fenced Dog Park for a secure run. For a longer outing, the tracks through Warrawee Conservation Area are only a few minutes away.

More options are on the Tasmania dog friendly cafes guide and the Latrobe destination page.