Parklands Tavern

Parklands Tavern sits on Parklands Boulevard in Meridan Plains, a large modern tavern a few minutes inland from the Kawana beach strip. It pairs a big beer garden and an outdoor bar called The Yard with a kitchen built around pub staples, which makes it a straightforward choice for a long lunch or an early session when the dog comes along.

Dogs on a leash are welcome in The Yard bar and the outdoor area until 5pm each day, and the tavern keeps water bowls and dog treats on hand for four legged guests. After 5pm dogs are not permitted at the venue, so time your visit for lunch or early afternoon rather than dinner.

The Yard and the beer garden

The Yard is the tavern's dedicated outdoor bar, with covered seating and enough space to park a dog beside your table without blocking the thoroughfare. The kitchen covers the classics you would expect: steak sandwiches, burgers and hearty mains, and the venue runs live music, pool tables and a family friendly atmosphere for groups settling in. Staff are used to dogs in the outdoor area, so there is no fuss at the gate.

The tavern trades from 9am until 3am Monday to Friday and from 10am on weekends, with on-site parking off Parklands Boulevard. Meridan Plains sits between Kawana Waters and Birtinya, so it is an easy stop if you are already driving the coastal strip with the dog in the car, and a quick check of the tavern's socials tells you whether live music is on before you claim a table.

Close by with the dogs

For a different feed in the same suburb, Stav's Kantina serves Greek style plates up the road. Before or after lunch you can give the dog a proper run at Viridian Park Dog Park in Birtinya or Ridgehaven Park at Currimundi, both fenced. If you are turning this into an overnight trip, Ingenia Holidays Rivershore on the Maroochy River takes dogs at its cabins and campsites.