Ripples Cafe & Bar

Ripples Cafe & Bar sits right on the water on Bayview Street at Runaway Bay, looking over the boat ramp and marina toward the Broadwater. It is one of the few Gold Coast cafes that takes the dog menu seriously rather than just tolerating dogs at the door, which is why dog owners put it on the list of proper destinations rather than pass-by stops.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome on the outdoor waterfront deck and alfresco tables, with water bowls put out by staff and a dedicated pups menu at around the $6 mark with grilled chicken, beef patties and scrambled eggs. Visitors regularly describe the dogs being treated as part of the breakfast party rather than an afterthought. Keep the lead on and the dog settled beside the table, because the deck gets steady foot traffic from the marina.

The vibe

Relaxed holiday mode all week. Cats Pyjamas coffee flows from 6am, and the kitchen covers breakfast and lunch with the Ripples Benny, acai bowls, corn fritters, karaage chicken and burgers among the regular orders. It runs Tuesday to Sunday from 6am to 2pm and closes Mondays. Sunday breakfast is the busiest slot, so a weekday or early table gets the best pick of the deck.

Getting there and parking

The cafe sits on Bayview Street at Runaway Bay, with free street parking along the street and around the marina area. Arrive before 8am on weekends if you want a deck table with an unbroken view.

Make a day of it

For an off-lead run before breakfast, Hollywell Dog Park and the fenced Bayview Park are both minutes away. Caffene Break covers the suburb's quick-coffee option, and L'Etranger over at Biggera Waters is the sit-down alternative if the deck is full.

The Runaway Bay destination page lists the suburb's dog-friendly venues, with the broader set in the QLD cafes index.