The Brooks Cafe

The Brooks Cafe sits in the Botanica estate in Lidcombe, looking out over parkland from a covered terrace, and it takes dogs seriously rather than tolerating them: water bowls come out without asking, and four-legged guests are welcome both at the shaded outdoor tables and inside the cafe itself, settled beside your chair.

The dog setup

Indoor and outdoor access is the standout here. Most cafes in the area limit dogs to the footpath; The Brooks lets leashed dogs rest by your side at the covered outdoor tables or inside, with no entry fee and water bowls on the house. Keep your dog leashed and under the table, which matters most during the weekend brunch rush when foot traffic between tables gets constant.

The vibe

Brunch is the headline: the Brooks Big Brekky, creamy mushrooms and a chilli scramble get repeat mentions, along with matcha lattes, pandan waffles and teriyaki chicken bowls for later in the day. Reviewers consistently call out the coffee and the friendly service, and the parkland outlook keeps the room calmer than its popularity suggests. It is a family-friendly operation with kid-friendly touches, so expect strollers alongside dogs on weekends.

Pepsi: Water bowl arrived before I'd even sat down. That's how you know a cafe actually wants dogs there.

Getting there and parking

The cafe is at Shop 3, 17 Brooks Circuit in the Botanica estate. Street parking nearby is a mix of free and paid, and Lidcombe Station is a 20 to 25 minute walk or a short rideshare. Hours run 7am to 3pm weekdays and 8am to 3pm weekends, and the kitchen stops at 2pm, so order lunch early.

Close by with the dogs

Botanica Parklands sits directly across the road, with paved paths and open grass for an on-lead wander before or after your table. For a proper off-lead session, Wyatt Park Fenced Dog Park is the local option, and Piccolo Me Lidcombe covers the second coffee in town.

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