Maisie’s Cafe

Maisie's Cafe is the neighbourhood local on Grant Street in Port Macquarie, a sunny corner cafe that appears on the town's dog-friendly circuits alongside its reputation for gluten-free cake. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating, staff are known for their welcome, and the 6am weekday opening suits the early beach-and-walk crowd before the town wakes up.

The dog setup

Dogs settle in at the outdoor tables, on lead, with a relaxed street-side setting that keeps them comfortably away from the doorway traffic. There is no dedicated dog menu to report, so bring water on warm mornings and ask staff where the best dog table is if the front is busy. The cafe is wheelchair accessible and pram friendly, which tells you the outdoor area is genuinely spacious rather than a token footpath strip.

The vibe and the menu

The kitchen covers eggs bene, wraps, halloumi plates and salads, with a cabinet that regularly includes gluten-free cakes and slices, and the staff get consistent praise for their manner. Hours run 6am to 2pm Monday to Friday, 7am to 1pm Saturday, closed Sundays. It is a locals' cafe more than a tourist stop, and the morning trade is the thing.

Getting there and parking

Grant Street sits just south of the Port Macquarie CBD, with street parking close by and the coastal paths a short drive or long walk away. Nobbys Beach is the nearest swimming spot, and the off-leash stretch of Lighthouse Beach runs south from Watonga Rocks under council rules. Bloom PMQ is the other local cafe that takes dogs, and the town's dog-friendly list is on the Port Macquarie destination page.

The wider region's venues are in the NSW cafes index.