De Dutch Cafe

De Dutch Cafe is a Dutch-themed cafe at 63 Anzac Avenue, Newtown, on Toowoomba's north western side. The orange paintwork and windmill signage make it hard to miss, and the kitchen turns out the kind of food you otherwise cross the border for: poffertjes, apple waffles and Dutch snacks. Hours are 8am to 2pm Tuesday to Friday, 8am to 1pm weekends, closed Mondays.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor alfresco seating out the front, on a lead and close to your table so the walkway stays clear. The indoor dining room is people only, in line with standard Queensland food rules. The cafe puts out water bowls and has been known to offer a puppuccino, so bring a towel if your dog is the enthusiastic type. Weekend mornings fill up, so call ahead if you want to lock in a good outdoor table.

Worth knowing

The poffertjes are the signature, warm mini Dutch pancakes with butter and icing sugar, and the wider menu runs from an Amsterdam breakfast to a broodje kroket and frikandel special. There is a genuine gluten-free range too, including gluten-free pancakes and brownies, alongside proper barista coffee. Portions are generous and the sweets sell out on busy Sundays, which is worth knowing before you promise the table a second round.

Getting there and parking

Anzac Avenue is the main run through Newtown, a few minutes' drive from the Toowoomba city centre. There is free street parking out front and a small free on-site lot, so arrival with a dog is straightforward even on weekends.

Close by with the dogs

Wilsonton Heights Dog Park on Clearview Street is the local fenced option, a large fully fenced space with double gates, a shaded gazebo and a tap-fed water station a short drive from the cafe. Under Toowoomba Regional Council rules, dogs stay leashed outside the fenced enclosure and need a current registration tag on the collar.

More options are on the Queensland dog friendly cafes guide and the Newtown destination page.

Pepsi: ask for a table near the edge of the outdoor area so you are not squeezed between other diners' chairs while your dog settles.