Mudbar Restaurant Launceston

Mudbar Restaurant sits on the marina at Launceston's Seaport precinct, and its outdoor alfresco tables look straight across the water of the Tamar. Dogs are welcome at those tables, which makes this one of the easier sit-down dinners in Launceston to plan around a dog.

The dog setup

Dogs join you in the outdoor alfresco area along the boardwalk, not inside the dining room. The rule is simple: leashed and settled, tucked under the table, because the boardwalk carries steady foot traffic past the tables. Staff are used to dogs and usually bring out a water bowl on their own, though a collapsible bowl in the car is cheap insurance on a busy night.

The vibe

This is a proper dinner venue rather than a quick stop. The kitchen works a paddock-to-plate, ocean-to-table line: Tasmanian seafood including oysters (tempura oysters and sashimi both feature), the lamb from the family's own Whitehills property, and the Mudbar fat chips that regulars order on arrival. There are vegan options, Tasmanian wine by the glass, and live music some evenings. Book ahead for the alfresco section, especially Friday and Saturday.

Getting there and parking

The address is 28 Seaport Boulevard. A large paid car park sits immediately beside the Seaport precinct, and it is a flat 10 to 15 minute walk from the Launceston CBD along the riverfront if you would rather leave the car and start the walk early.

Close by with the dogs

The Seaport boardwalk runs right past the door for a pre or post-dinner stroll, and the flat riverside paths carry on from there. A few minutes along the water, the Boatyard Launceston runs a covered outdoor deck that also takes dogs, handy if Mudbar is full. If your dog needs a proper run first, Hoblers Bridge Reserve in Newstead is about a ten minute drive: a large fenced off-leash park with shade, sniffing trails and a water tap. For a daytime coffee on the same side of town, Aromas Cafe in the city takes dogs too.

Max: Walk the boardwalk before you sit down. I settle under the table much better once I have sniffed the whole marina.

When to go

Sunny lunchtimes and early sittings are the pick for the outdoor tables. Arrive ahead of the dinner rush if you want a quieter spot with room for the dog, and pick a calm day, because the alfresco section is open to the weather coming off the river.

For more options across the state, see our guide to dog friendly restaurants in Tasmania, or plan a full day with the Launceston destination guide.