Left of Field

Left of Field is a waterside brunch cafe at 7 Gauthorpe Street in Rhodes, a short lead from the Parramatta River foreshore, and it earns its dog-friendly reputation on the strength of a spacious outdoor setup and a kitchen that punches above a suburban strip. Build a foreshore walk around it and you will not regret it.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area, which is roomy enough for a dog to settle beside your table rather than tangle underfoot. Water bowls are put out for visiting dogs and the cafe is known for puppuccinos, so the welcome is real rather than token. On busy weekend mornings, book ahead and say you are bringing the dog.

The vibe and the menu

Open 7am daily, to 2:30pm weekdays and 3pm weekends. The menu is a creative brunch and lunch list: plum and rhubarb french toast, chicken waffle benedict, pork and mint souvlaki and a proper breaky roll, with good vegetarian options, certified halal chicken and a kids menu that gets a nod from families. Weekends bustle; weekdays are calm and laptop friendly.

Getting there and parking

Rhodes station is a walkable distance, and parking is available around the waterside precinct, though it tightens on weekend mornings. The obvious dog plan is a river loop first: the McIlwaine Park off-leash area sits along the foreshore nearby, and the Meadowbank dog beach is a short stroll up the river for a swim.

For another coffee with the dog in the same pocket, Bare Witness is the other Rhodes option.

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