Riviera Cafe

Riviera Cafe is a casual coffee shop on River Street, up the hill on the way into Woolgoolga, and it is an easy dog stop after a beach walk. Dogs are welcome in the front outdoor seating; the reason to come is quick, well-regarded coffee and a toasted panini rather than a long sit-down meal.

The dog setup. Dogs are welcome in the casual outdoor seating at the front of the cafe, where there is comfortable lounge-style seating. Ordering is done inside, so it helps to have a second person or to tie up briefly at the door. Bring your own water bowl for busy mornings rather than counting on one being out.

Good to know. The coffee is consistently rated among the best in town, and the toasted sandwiches and fresh muffins draw a loyal local crowd. The kitchen leans to breakfast and lunch, and the cafe keeps early hours, closing around midday, so it suits a morning outing over an afternoon one.

Getting there and parking. The cafe sits on River Street at the top of the hill. Free street parking is usually available directly out front or close by. It is an easy walk from the beach and headland below, so many people fold it into a morning walk.

Nearby with the dogs. Woolgoolga Beach and the headland walking paths are a short stroll down the hill, which makes this a natural coffee stop before or after a run on the sand. Check the on-site signage for the current leash and off-leash zones.

When to go. Arrive early. The hours are morning-focused and the coffee queue builds on weekends, so a mid-morning weekday visit is the calmest with a dog in tow.

Sources

• Riviera Top Shoppe - Woolgoolga, NSW - Yelp · m.yelp.com
• Dog-friendly cafes in Woolgoolga with outdoor ordering · facebook.com

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.