Fresh Cafe Neutral Bay

Fresh Cafe is a casual breakfast-and-lunch spot at 202 to 212 Military Road in Neutral Bay, with footpath tables that make it an easy stop for anyone walking the strip with a dog. It runs an all-day menu of brunch classics, salads and sandwiches, plus a coffee and juice program that keeps the locals coming back.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the al fresco footpath tables along Military Road, with room to tuck a lead in beside you. Under NSW food rules, dogs stay out of the indoor seating and food-handling areas, so plan for the outdoor tables. Staff are accommodating, but there is no advertised dog menu or water station, so bring a collapsible bowl.

What is on the menu

Reviews single out the omelettes, poached eggs and wraps, and the menu runs wider: avocado toast, a brunch dish served croissant-style with smoked salmon, bacon or avocado, plus gluten-free poke bowls, salads, sandwiches, fresh juices and a sticky chai that gets a regular mention. Vegetarian and vegan options are well covered. Ordering and the full menu are online via Mr Yum, and hours are 7am to 4pm Monday to Saturday with a 7:30am start on Sundays.

Getting there and parking

Military Road buses run right past the door, and there is free parking nearby including the Coles Neutral Bay car park and street parking on Young Street. It sits mid-strip, so expect foot traffic at school pickup and lunch.

Close by with the dogs

North Sydney Council keeps most of its parks default off-leash, and Kurraba Reserve on Kurraba Road offers 24-hour off-leash foreshore walking a short drive from the strip. Closer to the cafe, pair the stop with a lap of the Tunks Park to Artarmon Reserve trail, or make a twin-cafe morning of it with Cafe ZoZo or Little Bear Pantry nearby.

Pepsi: We claimed a footpath table, worked through poached eggs and watched the Military Road parade go by. Bring a bowl and the staff do the rest.