SML Cafe

SML Cafe is the local favourite on Macmahon Street in North Willoughby, a busy corner cafe where most of the seating is out on the quiet residential street and dogs are warmly welcomed at the tables. With a 4.8 rating across hundreds of reviews it is one of the lower north shore's most-loved brunch rooms, and the outdoor setup happens to be exactly what dog owners want.

The dog setup

The seating runs largely outdoor along Macmahon Street, with some undercover cover, so dogs on lead fit in naturally rather than being an exception. It is a friendly, relaxed crowd of walkers and families, and staff are used to dogs at the tables. There is no dedicated dog menu to report, so bring water on hot days and aim for a shaded table, because the strip can hold the midday sun.

The vibe and the menu

The menu is broad brunch territory: bacon and egg rolls, the chicken katsu sandwich regulars chase, banana bread, hash browns and cauliflower tacos, with vegetarian and gluten-free options across the board and specialty coffee and matcha alongside. Hours are 6am to 3pm every day, so early walkers can land a table before the weekend rush builds. Expect a wait for the good tables on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Getting there and parking

Macmahon Street sits in the residential pocket between Willoughby Road and Penshurst Street, with street parking close by and Chatswood a short drive north. Ray's Place is the other local cafe that takes dogs, the off-lead exercise area at Chatswood Unleashed covers the run-around, and the Flat Rock Gully Walking Track is the serious on-lead walk nearby.

More dog-friendly venues around the suburb are on the North Willoughby destination page, with the state list in the NSW cafes index.