Country Cafe and Homewares

Country Cafe and Homewares sits inside the historic Old Petrie Town village at 901 Dayboro Road, Whiteside, and it is the rare cafe that pairs a proper breakfast with a full dog-walk day in one stop. The village spreads across about 52 acres of heritage parkland shaded by big Moreton Bay figs, and leashed dogs are welcome through the grounds and at the cafe's outdoor seating. Hours are tight: Thursday and Friday 8:30am to 1:30pm, Saturday 7am to 1pm, Sunday 7am to 2pm, closed Monday to Wednesday.

The dog setup

Dogs are genuinely welcome rather than merely tolerated, and regulars bring them along on market days. Keep your dog on lead at all times, both around the cafe and through the village, and note that dogs are not allowed inside the enclosed barn and indoor dining spaces. The outdoor seating around the rustic precinct is where you and your dog settle in. On busy market days the crowds include children and other leashed dogs, so it suits a relaxed, social dog.

The food and the setting

The kitchen runs a changing weekly specials board over family favourites made with locally sourced produce where possible, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options covered. Regulars rate the eggs benny, crispy bacon, cheesecake french toast and the house-made cakes, with caramel slice in the cabinet. Coffee is Sydney-roasted Arte. The homewares side of the shed makes it easy to wander between courses, and classic cars often park up out the front on weekend mornings.

Getting there and a run after

The village is on Dayboro Road with extensive free parking throughout the precinct, easy access off the main road. The Sunday markets run from around 7am to 1pm and make the busiest window, so arrive early for outdoor seating without a wait. For an off-leash leg-stretch, Sweeney Reserve fenced dog park is just down Old Dayboro Road in Petrie with a double-gated entry, agility gear and a water fountain, and Mungarra Reserve adds another fenced enclosure along the North Pine River.

If you are in the area on another day, MotMot Coffee and Eats in Petrie and Wheelhouse Coffee in Lawnton both welcome dogs at outdoor tables. The QLD cafes index has the wider list.