Illawong Bistro

Illawong Bistro is the dining room of Hotel Illawong on Oak Street in the middle of Evans Head, a family pub doing modern Australian classics and fresh local seafood. The hotel leans into its dog-friendly reputation, and the beer garden is where dogs are welcomed for a pub feed alongside their people.

The dog setup

Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome in the dedicated outdoor beer garden and deck. NSW food rules keep dogs out of the main indoor restaurant and bar, and staff are known to supply water for visiting dogs. Keep your mate close to the table, and bring a bowl of your own if you are visiting at peak time when every garden table has a dog under it.

The vibe

Classic country pub hours and a bangers-and-mash night, schnitzels and sirloin on the bistro menu, seasonal seafood when it is running, and live music on the calendar. There is a kids area too, so expect a family crowd at dinner. The garden gets plenty of sun through the day, which makes late afternoon the comfortable slot with a dog in summer.

Max: Do the river walk first, earn the schnitzel. A tired dog under a beer-garden table is a good dog by anyone's standards.

Getting there and parking

The hotel is central on Oak Street, with free street parking out front and a wheelchair-accessible entrance. Evans Head is a single-main-street town, so you will find it without a map.

While you're out there

The Evans River foreshore makes an easy pre or post-meal stroll, and the Evans Head 4WD and dog beach entry is the local go-to for time on the sand, with zones and times set by council signage because of the bird habitats around the estuary. In town, Tel Aviv Yafo Express covers the dog-friendly casual meal alternative and Muzzas Milk Bar sorts the coffee and milkshake stop.

For more dog-friendly dining on the north coast, browse restaurants in NSW, or plan a trip around Evans Head.