Cockles Cafe

Cockles Cafe is a busy, well-liked breakfast and lunch spot on North Terrace in the middle of Port Elliot, trading seven days from 7:30am to 3pm. Dogs are welcome at the street-facing outdoor tables on the footpath, which makes it an easy coffee stop on the way to or from Horseshoe Bay, and the kitchen's chilli scrambled eggs and nasi goreng give you a reason to linger.

The dog setup

Dogs join you at the footpath tables out front, not inside the main cafe. Staff have a good reputation for looking after dog walkers and will usually sort a water bowl if you ask, though it is worth bringing your own as backup on a hot Fleurieu day. The footpath runs along the main street, so a dog that settles under the table rather than greeting every passing visitor makes the stop easier.

Max: come early on summer weekends. North Terrace parking goes fast and the footpath tables fill with the brunch crowd well before 9am.

Worth knowing

The menu covers the brunch classics with a few extras: eggs benny, chilli scrambled eggs, poke bowls, burgers and scones, plus a kids menu that keeps it family-friendly. The coffee comes up consistently in reviews, as does the friendly service, which matters when you are managing a leash and a door at the same time.

Getting there and parking

The cafe sits on North Terrace, Port Elliot's main street, with street parking along the terrace and the nearby side streets. Spots fill fast on sunny weekends and through summer, so arrive early or be ready to walk a block. It is an easy walk from the Horseshoe Bay end of town.

Make a day of it

Horseshoe Bay and the Port Elliot coastal path are a short walk away for a beach stroll with the dog, and the Middleton to Port Elliot trail stretches the legs further. The Port Elliot Fenced Dog Park gives a secure run, and for more coffee, De Groot Coffee Co is just along the terrace and Found Coffee House sits over at Victor Harbor.

More options are on the South Australia dog friendly cafes guide and the Port Elliot destination page.