Lilypad Espresso Bar

Lilypad Espresso Bar is a small, quirky coffee house at 40 Holland Street, Northgate, a short walk from Northgate railway station. It pours from 5am on weekdays (6am weekends) and welcomes dogs at the outdoor tables, which makes it a natural stop on a neighbourhood morning walk.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating on lead. Staff are known to be accommodating and a water bowl usually goes out on request, though it pays to bring your own if your dog is fussy about sharing. This is a quick lead-side coffee spot rather than a long brunch venue, and weekday mornings before the 9am rush are the quietest for settling in.

The vibe and the menu

The espresso runs on Maleny milk, and the cabinet does caramel muffins, brownies, croissants and homemade cordial, with breakfast burgers and sausage rolls for something more substantial. There is an antique shop out the back worth a browse while you wait, plus board games if you linger. Regulars talk as much about the friendly staff as the coffee, and a pay-it-forward board by the counter keeps the neighbourhood feel going.

Getting there and parking

Free street parking and an on-site lot cover drivers, and the cafe is walkable from Northgate station if you come by train. Weekend trade wraps around 11:30am, so plan a morning visit.

Nearby with the dogs

Give your dog a proper run first at the Northgate off-leash dog park or the fenced reserve at Boyd Park, Nundah, then roll into Lilypad for the payoff. For your next coffee north of the rail line, Fuel & Co and Mavvy Lane in Nundah are both set up for dogs at the outdoor tables.