Fish & Fowl Co

Fish & Fowl Co is a fried chicken and seafood shop at 45-49 Bundock Street, Belgian Gardens, a few minutes' drive from the Townsville city centre and the Strand. It trades 11am to 8pm seven days, and the casual outdoor tables take dogs, though the pet welcome is not formally advertised so it pays to confirm when you arrive.

The dog setup

Well-behaved leashed dogs are fine at the outside tables, in line with the usual practice for casual eateries with outdoor seating; the indoor dining area is off-limits under food safety rules. Nothing is advertised in the way of water bowls or treats, so bring your own bowl, and the easy fallback is a takeaway order eaten at a park or the beachfront nearby.

The vibe

Crispy fried chicken, fish and chips, fish burgers and prawn cutlets carry the menu, with housemade tartare sauce and cold beers or margaritas alongside. The gluten-free offering is the standout: the crispy chicken is coated in potato starch and cooked in fryers kept separate from flour-coated items, and the GF list covers fish, burgers, salads and chips, which is rare in this price bracket.

Pepsi: a GF basket travels well if you are taking it to the water. Order ahead on the phone and it is ready by the time you have the leash sorted.

Getting there and parking

It sits on Bundock Street in Belgian Gardens, close to both the city and the Strand. Parking is mostly on-street along Bundock Street, with limited off-street spots, so arrive outside the dinner rush if you are driving.

Close by with the dogs

The Strand is the classic on-lead walk, palm-lined and beachfront the whole way, and Soroptimist Park in Belgian Gardens adds a grassy on-leash stretch by the water. Around the corner, Sirens Bayside covers the dog-friendly coffee stop and Juliette's sits on the Strand end of the same circuit.

More options are on the Queensland dog friendly restaurants guide and the Belgian Gardens destination page.