Lilydale Tavern

Lilydale Tavern is a rustic country pub on the main road through Lilydale, about half an hour north-east of Launceston, with an easygoing outdoor area that welcomes dogs alongside pub meals, local beer and the occasional night of live music. It is the kind of informal stop where a well-mannered dog sitting quietly beside the table is completely normal.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area, kept on a lead. Indoors is food-service space, so plan on the outside tables. Staff will sometimes bring out a water bowl, but pack your own to be sure. Phone ahead during peak bistro hours if you want to confirm a table, as the kitchen runs limited lunch and dinner service windows rather than all-day trade.

Worth knowing

The tavern is known for generous pub meals, with the chicken parmigiana and pizza getting regular mentions, plus a fireplace for cooler nights, a local bottleshop and live music on selected nights. Event schedules change, so confirm what is on if that is the drawcard rather than the meal.

Getting there and parking

It sits directly on the B81, Main Road, through the centre of Lilydale, with a free on-site car park plus street parking, so getting in and out with a dog on lead is straightforward. A relaxed weeknight or early dinner is the best bet if you want the outdoor tables to yourself.

The Lock Shop Cafe up Main Road covers the coffee-and-lunch shift, and Lilydale Falls Reserve a short drive out has an easy on-lead walking track for stretching legs before or after the pub. If you are making a weekend of it, Lilydale Campsite is the local dog-friendly base.

More of the district's dog-friendly venues are on the Lilydale destination page, and the regional list is in the Tasmania restaurants index.