Operation Underground

Operation Underground is a compact specialty coffee shop at 6 Bideford Street in Torquay, one street back from the Hervey Bay Esplanade. It has built a serious local following around batch brew, cold brew and a mug shot wall of regulars' cups, and it is genuinely set up for dogs: locals bring their dogs through regularly and the team is known for being good with them.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the undercover outdoor seating, which is a real advantage in a coastal town: you and the dog stay covered whether it is drizzling or the summer sun is hammering down. It is a small venue, so settle your dog on a lead close to the table and bring a water bowl to be safe rather than relying on spares.

The vibe

The coffee is the reason people queue: quality espresso and cold brew with friendly, personal service, plus banana bread, toasties and cookies in the cabinet. It is a casual grab-a-cup spot rather than a sit-down food cafe. Hours run from 6am weekdays to around midday, opening at 8am Sundays, so it is strictly a morning call.

Getting there and parking

Bideford Street has kerbside parking on it and the neighbouring streets, and the beach side of the Esplanade is a two-minute walk. Coming from Torquay's main strip, turn inland off the Esplanade and it is on the first block.

Close by with the dogs

Torquay Beach and the paved Esplanade path are the obvious on-lead warm-up; check council signage for the leash-free zones along the foreshore. For a full off-leash session, 24/7 Off-leash Dog Beach at Urangan is a short drive south. For a sit-down brunch with the dog afterwards, Bayaroma Cafe on the Esplanade welcomes dogs on its shaded patio, and Cody's Coffee Shack is another relaxed coffee option on the strip.

More options are in the Queensland dog friendly cafes guide and the Torquay destination page.