Piccolo Me Westmead

Piccolo Me Westmead operates out of the WSU Innovation Quarter at 158 Hawkesbury Road, one of a small Sydney chain with an energetic, student-and-hospital-worker crowd and a serious espresso program. The shared plaza and alfresco seating around the cafe welcome dogs, which makes it a serviceable weekday breakfast or lunch stop in a precinct that is otherwise all car parks and hospitals.

The dog setup

Dogs join you in the designated outdoor alfresco and plaza seating; the indoor room is off-limits. Water bowls are commonly put out by staff in the outdoor sections, though a busy lunch rush can slow that down, so carry your own. Keep the leash on and the dog beside the table: the plaza fronts Hawkesbury Road traffic and a steady flow of foot traffic between the university buildings.

The food

The menu is broader than the average campus cafe: egg benedict and breakfast rolls in the morning, fresh salads, burgers and pasta at lunch, and pastries in the cabinet. The drinks list is where it separates itself, with Italian-style espresso alongside a run of signature lattes such as the Biscoff Latte and White Choco Macadamia, plus juices and smoothies. Hours run Monday to Friday 6:30am to 5:30pm, Saturday 7am to 5:30pm and Sunday 8am to 3pm.

Getting there and parking

Street parking on Hawkesbury Road and the surrounding streets is tight, which is typical for a hospital precinct; Westmead station is a short walk away if you are pairing the stop with a train ride.

Close by with the dogs

For the off-leash run before coffee, the Dan Mahoney Reserve Fenced Dog Park in North Parramatta has separate sections for small and large dogs with dual water stations, and the Hampden Road Reserve Fenced Dog Park covers the western side. The group's Parramatta South cafe is the sister stop if you are closer to the university's other campus.

More of the area is on the Westmead destination page and in the NSW cafes index.