Tinto Espresso Bar & Infuzion Cafe

Tinto Espresso Bar & Infuzion Cafe has one of the best positions in Toronto: right on the foreshore at 30 Victory Parade with Lake Macquarie a few metres from the outdoor tables. For dog owners it is the natural finish line for a foreshore walk, bacon and egg roll in one hand, flat white in the other, dog flat on the pavement beside the table.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the alfresco area beside the foreshore path, and visitors specifically call the place out as dog friendly. Inside is off limits except for assistance dogs. There is decent space for a dog to lie down next to the table, and the setting is relaxed enough that a settled dog barely registers with passing walkers. Bring your own water bowl to be safe rather than counting on one being out.

Worth knowing

Open Tuesday to Sunday, roughly 8am to mid afternoon with later close on weekends, doing bacon and egg rolls, wraps, smoothies and reliable coffee. It closes Mondays, so plan the weekday lakefront session accordingly. Seagulls are the main operational hazard, which tells you most of what you need to know about the tables.

Getting there and parking

Street parking runs along Victory Parade, with public parking near the Toronto boat ramp a short walk along the foreshore. The path along the water brings you to the door from either direction.

Close by with the dogs

The foreshore path starts at the door. Scryumtious Nutrition a little further along makes its own dog ice cream, and the Carey Bay Dog Exercise Area is minutes away for an off-lead run. Doubletake Cafe is a fallback if the lakefront tables are all taken.

More options are on the NSW dog friendly cafes guide and the Toronto destination page.

Max: the seagulls here work the outdoor tables like professionals. Keep plates close and food off the ground, or your dog will have competition.