Lakeside Cafe by Chef's- Best Coffee in the town

Lakeside Cafe by Chef's sits on the water at G06/11-13 Solent Circuit in the Norwest lake precinct, a casual all-day cafe where the outdoor terrace over the lake doubles as the dog area. It is the coffee stop built into the lake circuit - the flat promenade loop around the water is one of the Hills district's most-used dog walks, and this is where it breaks for brunch.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating overlooking the lake, on lead and under control. Indoors is for humans only, and on busy weekend mornings it is worth checking with staff before you commit to a table. Water bowls are generally put out for dogs, though bring your own if the terrace is stretched at peak times. The setting is open promenade rather than fenced, so settled dogs do best.

The food and the hours

The kitchen runs a brunch-heavy menu that reviewers rate for presentation - eggs benedict, bacon and egg rolls, french toast, corn fritters and acai bowls are the regulars, with lake views doing the rest of the work. Hours are 6:30am to 3pm Monday to Saturday and 7am to 3pm Sunday. It operates on cafe rhythm rather than all-day dining, so late-afternoon visits come up empty.

The lake circuit and beyond

The Norwest lake walk is on-lead all the way around, so the off-lead options sit a short drive out: the fenced enclosure at Crestwood Reserve in Baulkham Hills and the shaded runs at Balcombe Heights Reserve. For other dog-friendly tables nearby, Ordinary day cafe is a quiet local favourite and Café Mckels in Bella Vista is known for bringing water bowls out unprompted.

More around the precinct is on the Norwest destination page, with the wider state list in the NSW cafes index.