Manly Boathouse

Manly Boathouse sits right on the water at 4 Trafalgar Street, looking out over the Manly Boat Harbour and Moreton Bay. The big outdoor patio is where dogs are welcome, and with umbrellas, harbour views and a kitchen that runs from breakfast through to dinner service, it is one of the more polished bayside meals you can book with a dog in Brisbane's east.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor patio and deck areas, not inside the restaurant. Ask for an outdoor table when you book, because the patio does fill on weekends. Staff are used to dogs at the tables; bring your own water bowl to be safe. The deck is open to the bay breeze, so a settled, lead-trained dog fits in far better than a restless one.

The vibe

The kitchen leans coastal: oysters, grilled scallops, fresh catch, fish and chips, and wood-smoked dishes done over an open ironbark fire, backed by a serious cocktail and wine list. Weekend brunch and late-afternoon drinks are the busy windows; weekday mornings are the calm version of the same view.

Getting there and parking

Street parking runs along Trafalgar Street and the Esplanade, with larger car parks near the boat harbour a short walk away. It fills fast on sunny weekends, so arrive early for your booking. The venue is also walkable from Manly train station.

Close by with the dogs

The flat foreshore path past the door is the Wynnum to Manly stretch of the Moreton Bay Cycleway: fully paved, on lead the whole way, and best early or late on warm days because shade is thin. Nearby Manly off leash dog beach is the legal spot for a swim and a run. For more harbour-side tables, Manly Deck and the Captain's Parrot Cafe at the yacht club both take dogs outdoors.

Max: Book the outer rail of the patio. Full marina view, and the seabreeze keeps the chippy smell pointed my way.

Plan the rest of the day with the Manly guide and our Queensland dining listings.