Kals on Cahill

Kals on Cahill sits right on the riverbank inside Cahill Park itself, so a Wolli Creek brunch and a run on the dog park lawn can be the same outing. The modern Australian menu leans Eastern Mediterranean, and the dog policy is as easygoing as the location suggests: dogs are welcome across the spacious outdoor seating area, with staff known for bringing out water bowls and the occasional treat.

The dog setup

Pick a table in the outdoor area, where some spots are undercover if the weather turns. Ask staff on arrival which tables suit a dog best; they are used to the question. Keep the lead on and choose a spot at the edge of the seating so the paths stay clear for other diners and passing prams. Because the cafe faces the park rather than a road, a dog who is still learning cafe manners has room to settle.

Pepsi: we took the corner table by the fence and I got a bowl of water before the coffee machine had even finished warming up.

Worth knowing

Hours are Tuesday to Friday 7am to 3pm and 8am to 3pm on weekends, with Monday closed. The kitchen is rated for shakshouka, zaatar avocado toast with poached eggs and the generously sized Kals Big Breakfast, plus coconut creme pancakes and pastries from Tuga Pastries. Weekday mornings are the relaxed shift; weekends fill fast with the park crowd, so arrive early or expect a short wait.

Getting there and parking

Free parking is available in the Cahill Park car park and on nearby residential streets, and it is a short walk from Wolli Creek Station if you are coming in by train. The riverside position means you can reach it on foot along the water without touching a main road.

Close by with the dogs

Cahill Park Fenced Dog Park Wolli Creek is right next door, a double-gated, fully fenced off-leash area open around the clock. Warm up first on the Cooks River Short Loop Tempe, and if you make a habit of the run, Where's Wolli Cafe Wolli Creek and Tempe Dog Park round out the river circuit.

More brunch options are on dog-friendly cafes in NSW, and other spots around the area are listed under Wolli Creek.