Dune Cafe, Currumbin

Dune Cafe sits inside Palm Beach Parklands on the bank of Currumbin Creek, a bright, relaxed cafe that has become the ritual stop for Gold Coast dog owners because it backs straight onto one of the best off-leash dog beaches on the coast. Swim first, coffee after is the standard routine here.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome across the outdoor deck and the surrounding parkland grass, with creek and lagoon views from the tables. There is a dedicated tie-up area and staff are used to four-legged regulars, so water bowls are usually about. Keep your dog on lead at the tables, through the playground area and along the paths, and only unleash once you reach the signed off-leash beach and exercise zones along the creek, where dogs still need to be under effective control.

The vibe and the menu

It opens at 6am daily, with the kitchen serving hot food from about 6:30am into the early afternoon, and the cabinet stocked with pastries and grab-and-go treats outside those hours. The menu leans fresh and locally sourced: breakfast classics, karaage chicken burgers, solid vegetarian and vegan options, good coffee and juices. Weekends pack out with families and dog walkers, so book ahead if you want a guaranteed outdoor table with the dog.

Getting there and parking

The parklands sit at the end of Palm Beach Avenue off Gold Coast Highway, with a large car park that fills early on fine weekends. Everything is flat and stroller and wheelchair friendly, and the Currumbin Creek off-leash dog beach is steps from the deck, with the Melaleuca dog park nearby for a dry-land run.

Other Palm Beach coffee stops that take dogs include Custard Canteen and Barefoot Barista.

More of the area's dog-friendly venues are on the Palm Beach destination page, with the full state list in the Queensland cafes index.