The Locals Alice Springs

The Locals is a licensed cafe and bar on Todd Street in the middle of the Alice Springs CBD, running breakfast and brunch daily with gin and tapas taking over in the evenings. The footpath tables out front are the dog-friendly part of the venue, so you and your dog sit right in the flow of the town centre while you eat.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor Todd Street footpath seating, on a leash. This is a busy, people-watching corner of the CBD rather than a quiet hideaway, so a dog that settles beside your table will do better than one that wants to greet every passer-by. Water is not guaranteed, so bring a collapsible bowl; in Central Australian heat that is non-negotiable, even in the morning.

Max: go early for a quieter footpath table before the CBD fills, and have your own water bowl ready for the heat.

Worth knowing

Breakfast is what the kitchen is rated for. The Territory Brekky is the crowd pick: free-range eggs, wholegrain sourdough, chorizo, bacon, mushrooms, herb-roasted potatoes and a house-made Mexican bean salsa. The corn fritters with poached eggs, whipped feta and beetroot puree are the other regular favourite, and there are Brekkie Rolls, a Bacon Benny and proper specialty coffee alongside vegetarian and vegan options. Doors open 7:30am to 2pm every day; evening gin and tapas sessions happen on event nights, so check the venue's Facebook page before planning a later sitting.

Getting there and parking

The venue is central on Todd Street, walkable from most of the Alice Springs CBD, and wheelchair accessible. Free street parking is available on surrounding streets, with a free carpark nearby, so arriving with the dog in the car is easy even on weekend mornings.

Pair it with

Rotaract Park in Braitling, just north of the CBD, is a fenced dog park with separate big and small dog areas and water on site, open around the clock; it is a short drive away for a proper off-lead run before breakfast. In town, Page 27 Cafe is another dog-friendly coffee stop, and Loco Burrito is a casual alternative if you are back another day. Out-of-towners with dogs can look at Heritage Caravan Park for pet-friendly accommodation.

More options are on the Northern Territory dog friendly restaurants guide and the Alice Springs destination page.