Charlie’s at church

Charlie's at Church is a busy Italian trattoria at 7 Church Street in central Bellingen, known for slow-fermented sourdough pizza, handmade pasta and a house-made tiramisu that regulars order before they look at the rest of the menu. It is a dinner venue, evenings Tuesday and Thursday through to Saturday, and the alfresco tables are where dogs fit, with one catch: the official listing reads Pet Friendly - Enquire, so confirm a dog-suitable table when you book rather than turning up and hoping.

The dog setup

Dogs are limited to the outdoor alfresco seating, and that space is small in a tight, lively room. Book ahead and mention the dog, either through the venue's site or by text on 0448 537 653, and ask for an edge table that keeps your dog out of the service path. This is a spot for a settled dog that is comfortable with people passing close by, not a reactive one. Bring a short lead and a portable water bowl, and keep your dog tucked under the table through the peak orders.

Pepsi: the tiramisu is the finisher. Order it when you order your mains, because by 8pm on a Saturday it has a way of running out.

Getting there and parking

The restaurant sits on Church Street, the restaurant strip of town, with street parking along Church Street and nearby Hyde Street. Online bookings top out around six a table, so larger groups with dogs should call rather than book online.

Close by with the dogs

For a pre-dinner leg-stretch, the river bank near the Bellingen Showgrounds on Hammond Street is the locals' walking strip, and the town's leashed streets are an easy wander from Church Street. On other nights, 5 Church Street sits just down the road, and Hyde Bellingen covers the daytime coffee side of the same street.

More options are on the NSW dog-friendly guide and the Bellingen destination page.