Hazel Espresso

Hazel Espresso runs out of Davenport Street in central Southport, a busy Vietnamese-leaning brunch cafe that has become one of the more talked-about coffee stops on this side of the Gold Coast. The kitchen blends Australian brunch with Southeast Asian flavour, and the footpath tables out front welcome dogs, which makes it an easy stop on a walk through the Chinatown precinct.

The dog setup

Dogs join you at the outdoor footpath tables on Davenport Street, straight off the kerb and easy to access with a leashed dog. Staff are used to canine visitors and will usually bring water if you ask, but the smart move is to pack your own bowl. Outdoor seating is limited to a handful of tables, so this suits a dog that settles quietly under the table rather than one that needs room to spread out. Inside is people only.

Worth knowing

The menu is the reason people queue. Signatures include the flaming beef skillet and chilli crab scrambled eggs, alongside Hanoi egg coffee and proper Vietnamese coffee. Hours run 7am to 2:30pm on weekdays and 7am to 2pm on weekends, so it is a breakfast and lunch venue rather than an afternoon one. Do not expect a dedicated dog menu or water station setup; the appeal is a straightforward street-side table in the middle of things.

Getting there and parking

Paid street parking runs along Davenport Street and through the surrounding Chinatown and Nerang Street blocks, with paid stations nearby. The Nerang Street tram stop is close enough to walk from if you would rather leave the car at home and arrive on foot with the dog.

Close by with the dogs

Broadwater Parklands is a 10 to 15 minute walk east for grass and water views, and the Chinatown streets around the cafe are fine for a leashed stroll while you decide on a second coffee. For an off-lead run nearby, Musgrave Park Dog Off Leash Area covers that job. If you want to compare notes over the fence, Broadwater Cafe sits toward the water and Caffe Republic is another central Southport option.

More picks are on the Queensland dog friendly cafes guide and the Southport destination page.

Max: arrive before the mid-morning rush or the footpath tables will be gone. There is little shade out front either, so on a warm day a shaded table matters more than a close one.