Idle In Cafe

Idle In Cafe is a rustic, character-filled country cafe in the middle of Nana Glen, about 25 minutes inland from Coffs Harbour along the Orara Way. It is explicitly dog-friendly, with a welcoming undercover courtyard, and it doubles as the Orara Valley's best excuse for a drive: home-baked scones, gluten free cakes and a proper breakfast and lunch menu.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the undercover courtyard, which has easy ground-level access straight off the street. Keep your dog on a short leash for the comfort of other diners. The staff are warm about pets, but bring your own portable water bowl since one is not guaranteed. The courtyard also takes the edge off summer heat and winter showers, so weather rarely ruins the stop.

The vibe

Timber beams, biker memorabilia and country hospitality, with genuine baking behind the counter: scones get the headlines, lemon tart and corn fritters do the rest. It is a village cafe in the truest sense, and the Sunday 8am to noon service fills up with locals. Hours are limited, Wednesday to Saturday 8am to 3pm and Sunday mornings only, so plan around the Monday and Tuesday closure.

Getting there and parking

30 Nana Street, on the main road through Nana Glen village. Street parking sits directly out the front, and the cafe works as a stop on the drive between Coffs Harbour and Grafton.

While you're out there

Pair the drive with the Coramba Hotel a few kilometres down the valley for a second dog-friendly meal option, or push through to Coffs Harbour where the North Wall Beach Off-Leash Area lets the dog swim and the Thompsons Road Reserve Fenced Dog Park covers off-leash time. Village Pantry is a city-side fallback if the cafe is closed. The NSW dog friendly cafes page and the Nana Glen guide have more.

Max: order the scones, and check the day before you drive, the Monday and Tuesday closure catches people out.