The Squid Shack

The Squid Shack is a casual seafood kiosk at 1 Swarbrick Street on the Emu Point fishing boat marina, and it is one of those rare dog-friendly finds where the dog genuinely shares the view. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor, sheltered seating area, so you can watch the boats come in over a basket of local squid and chips.

The dog setup

Dogs join you at the covered outdoor tables only; the internal dining area stays dog-free. Keep the leash short and your dog settled beside the table, because this is a compact space that shares its edge with the marina walkway, prams and other diners. Water is not a given, so pack a bowl with the dog towels.

Worth knowing

The signature is salt and pepper squid, with calamari rings, flathead and chips and the local blue bone groper rounding out a short, seafood-first menu. Hours are limited: 11am to 2:30pm Wednesday and Thursday, then 11am to 7pm Friday through Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday. Lunch is the busy service, particularly on weekends, so arrive either side of the midday rush if you want an outdoor table without a wait.

Getting there and parking

Emu Point is a 10 minute drive south-east of Albany's town centre. There is free off-street parking at the marina car park off Swarbrick Street, with overflow along Emu Point Drive in peak season.

Close by with the dogs

Under the City of Albany's dog rules, dogs are permitted on the beach near the marina between Swarbrick Street and Hunter Street, while surrounding lawns and paths stay on-lead, so a pre-lunch paddle is close by. Emu Point Cafe is the other dog-friendly anchor on this strip, and The Surfing Bean at Middleton Beach covers the coffee stop on the drive back.

More options are on the WA dog friendly restaurants guide and the Emu Point destination page.

Max: squid and chips at a marina table, then a paddle on the dog strip of beach before the drive home.