Rosie and Shell

Rosie and Shell is a coffee caravan and lifestyle store at 3/10 Regent Street in New Lambton, and one of the more openly dog-loving stops in Newcastle. The retro-painted caravan, known as Frankie, pours Supreme Coffee and the attached store sells homewares, so a visit is part coffee run and part browse. The draw for dog owners is simple: house-made dog treats and staff who greet dogs by name.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating out front, and the caravan format means there is plenty of open space around it for a dog to settle on lead. Pup cups and house-made dog treats are offered, so expect your dog to be treated as a customer in their own right. Keep dogs close on the footpath side, and bring a water bowl if you plan to linger, though staff are known to be accommodating.

Pepsi: a cafe that bakes its own dog treats and hands them over like I am on a list of regulars has my loyalty forever.

Worth knowing

The drinks list covers espresso, matcha and iced drinks with several alternative milks, and toasties and sweet treats back it up. You can text ahead on 0457 575 177 with your name, order and pick-up time, which is handy if you are timing a walk. Hours run Tuesday to Saturday, 7am to 2pm, and the website lists Sunday and Monday as closed, so plan around that rather than assuming a seven-day service.

Getting there and parking

Regent Street is New Lambton's main strip, with street parking along it and on the side streets. It can tighten up on weekend mornings, though weekday visits are usually easy. The caravan is easy to spot from the street.

Close by with the dogs

Note that Blackbutt Reserve is close by but Newcastle council prohibits dogs across the whole reserve, so it is not a walk option. For a proper run, Acacia Avenue Reserve Fenced Dog Park in North Lambton has fully fenced large and small dog sections with double-gated entry. Regent Street itself is a pleasant leashed stroll, and Corner Lane Espresso and Fernleigh Cafe in Adamstown are other dog-friendly options nearby. See our New Lambton guide and the full NSW dog-friendly cafes list.