Parla

Parla turns a Wellington St corner in Launceston into one of the cosier rooms in the city, with an open fire inside and, per the venue's own social channels, pets welcome in the spacious outdoor backyard seating area. The backyard is the detail that separates Parla from the standard shopfront cafe: it is a proper outdoor room, not a couple of footpath tables pinned to the kerb.

Because the pet welcome comes through the venue's Facebook and Instagram presence, treat it as current but informal. The backyard setup gives dogs room to settle, and the general tone of the place, friendly staff and a comfortable, unhurried fitout, suits people who want to linger with a dog at their feet. Water bowls are not formally promised, so pack the collapsible one.

The vibe

Turkish eggs are the signature plate, and the toasties hold down the simple end of the menu alongside arancini balls. The fireplace inside makes the cooler months the venue's strongest season, which is saying something in a Tasmanian winter. Hours run 7am to 2pm on weekdays and 8am to 2pm on weekends, with the kitchen stopping at 2pm sharp, so the fire-and-breakfast window is a morning commitment.

Wellington St has kerbside parking, and the location puts you on the edge of the city centre within walking distance of the gorge and the river paths. It is an easy stop to bolt onto a Launceston morning rather than a destination requiring a detour.

Close by with the dogs

If you are planning around Parla, the city's food scene fills the rest of the day: PACHINKO and Boatyard Launceston cover dinner, and Three Steps On George sits in the middle of George St's restaurant strip. Broader options are on the Tasmania dog friendly cafes page.