Café ZoZo

Cafe ZoZo sits at 3/139 Military Road in Neutral Bay, and the reason it works with a dog is the rear: the outdoor tables line May Gibbs Lane, set back from the Military Road traffic under umbrellas. Come in from the lane side rather than the busy front and you go straight to the dog-friendly seating.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the lane-side outdoor tables, leashed. Staff are used to four-legged regulars and will often bring out a water bowl, though carrying your own is the safe bet. The lane setting keeps your dog out of the foot traffic that thunders along Military Road, which makes settling in noticeably easier than at most strip cafes.

The vibe

This is a small, friendly brunch spot with a colourful tile mural and an easygoing local crowd. The kitchen leans on generous plates: pesto mushroom eggs, omelettes, the chicken sandwich with house-made pesto, and a sour cream apple tart for later in the week. Hours run Monday to Friday from 7am to 3:30pm and Saturday from 7am to 3pm, closed Sundays.

Getting there and parking

Military Road buses stop close by, which is the easy option. If you drive, street and local-lot parking around the Neutral Bay precinct is free but fills quickly at the morning peak, so arrive early on weekends.

While you're out there

Forsyth Park on Undercliff Street and Anderson Park off Kurraba Road are both short walks for an off-lead stretch of lawn, and the harbour path around Kurraba Point finishes things nicely on lead. For another coffee day, Little Bear Pantry and 57 Coffee Bar are both dog-welcoming options up the road, and the Waverton Park to Balls Head Reserve loop makes a good longer walk nearby.

More options are on the New South Wales dog friendly cafes guide and the Neutral Bay destination page.