The Pancake Train

Few breakfast spots on the D'Entrecasteaux Channel have a hook as literal as this one: The Pancake Train serves its pancakes from a dining room built around train carriages, on the Channel Hwy at Margate. The theme lands with kids and grandparents alike, and the pancakes themselves, stacked under maple syrup, are the reason most tables are here.

For dog owners, the working area is the outdoor seating. Listing sites report that dogs are welcome out there and that staff will bring a water bowl, which is about all you need for a long, slow breakfast. The outdoor tables face the highway side rather than a garden, so a dog that startles at passing traffic may prefer to tuck in close to the table.

What lands on the table

Pancakes are the obvious order, but the menu stretches further than the name suggests. Eggs benedict holds its own, sausage rolls disappear quickly, and the scones with jam and cream are a serious second act. Servings are generous across the board, which reviewers mention often enough that ordering conservatively for the first round is sound advice. Doors open at 9am on weekdays and 8:30am on weekends, and the kitchen runs through until 4pm every day.

The venue sits on the main road south of Hobart, with parking on site, so access is easy even with a car full of beach gear. Margate itself is a good staging point for a Channel Hwy day trip, and combining pancakes with a run along the water is a common pattern for local families.

Pair it with

Make the most of the drive. Clarks Beach is a calm stretch of sand a few minutes away, and Dru Point Fenced Dog Park gives dogs a proper off-lead burn before pancakes. If you want a second coffee stop, Appelflap Cafe is close by, and the full set of options is on the Margate destination guide.