Groundhog Social

Groundhog Social sits right on the Manly esplanade at 443 Esplanade, and the venue's own site marks it dog friendly with outdoor seating on the water side. The FAQ on their site confirms dogs are welcome and even lists a dedicated treats menu section for canine visitors, which is more than most cafes manage. That makes this one of the more straightforward dog friendly calls on the bayside strip, backed by the venue itself rather than just visitor reports.

Dogs at Groundhog Social

Dogs settle at the outdoor esplanade tables, and the venue's site confirms the dog friendly setup along with a menu of treats made for them. Ask staff for the dog treats when you order, since the section is easy to miss on the main menu. The outdoor seating runs the length of the front, so there is usually space for a leashed dog to lie clear of foot traffic, and the esplanade path right out front means you can extend a walk in either direction along the water.

The vibe

This is a busy, casual all day cafe with a broad menu, and reviewers call out the avo toast, burgers and smoothies alongside consistently welcoming staff. QR code ordering keeps things moving when the weekend rush hits, and food presentation gets repeat mentions. It opens early at 6am every day and trades to 3pm on weekends, so it covers both the pre walk coffee and the post beach brunch slot. Expect a crowd on Saturday and Sunday mornings, which is the trade off for the position.

While you're out there

The location does the work for you: Manly Off-leash Dog Beach is on the same stretch of sand, so a swim and a coffee fit in one trip. If you want a fenced run instead, Stannard Road Park Fenced Dog Park in Manly West is a short drive inland. For another dog friendly coffee stop nearby, Three Beans is a reported pick in the same suburb.

Parking is available along the esplanade and in the council car parks behind the strip, with early mornings easiest. The Manly destination page lists the bayside's dog friendly venues, and the Queensland cafes guide covers the rest of the Brisbane bayside.