Dogwood, BX - Restaurant Bathurst

Dogwood, BX was an American-style diner and bar at 87 Keppel Street in central Bathurst, built around steaks, brisket, buffalo wings, corn bread and a serious drinks list. After almost 10 years on the Keppel Street strip it closed at the end of August 2026, with a sold-out final night on 29 August and a garage sale of glassware and oddities the following day. Its own website confirms the closure, so check before planning a visit.

The dog setup

While it was trading, the welcome for dogs was at the outdoor tables along the Keppel Street footpath strip, an easy place to lounge with a dog on a lead while you ate. The interior dining room and bar stayed people-only aside from service dogs, and staff were generally accommodating even though there were no house water bowls, so dog owners brought their own. It was a genuinely popular dog-walk dinner spot in its day, with the bar seating and saloon-style room drawing the crowds.

The vibe

The kitchen leaned American barbecue and steakhouse: porterhouse, New York steak, pork belly and buffalo wings with slaw on the side, matched to a well-regarded beer and cocktail list. Reviews rated it highly and weekend sittings regularly filled out. The final send-off matched the spirit of the place: a $150 all-inclusive final night on Saturday 29 August covered food and the entire backbar, and a garage sale from 3pm the next day let regulars take home glassware, signage and Dogwood oddities, with the house spice mixes still sold online for anyone who wants to keep a taste of it.

Close by with the dogs

Keppel Street itself still has dog-friendly options: Doppio on the same strip welcomes dogs at outdoor tables, Gunthers Lane Cafe and Moubar Vintage cover coffee, and Kefford Street Off Leash Dog Park is the local off-lead run.

More options are on the New South Wales dog friendly restaurants guide and the Bathurst destination page.