nDugu’s Laughing Lobster

nDugu's Laughing Lobster is a traditional counter-service fish and chip shop at Unit 1/912 David Low Way, Marcoola, directly opposite the beachfront. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables, which turns a post-beach fish and chips run into an easy stop with the dog rather than a dash back to the car.

The dog setup

You order at the counter and take a seat at the outdoor footpath and veranda tables, where a leashed dog settles beside you while you eat. It is casual and quick, which suits dogs who do not love long restaurant sits. There are no dedicated water bowls, so bring your own portable one. Parking and seating are wheelchair accessible, which also helps if you are juggling a lead and a pram.

Worth knowing

The shop trades seven days from about 10:30am, running to 7:30pm most nights and 7pm on Sundays. The menu is proper old-school fish and chips: Mooloolaba king prawns, battered cod, calamari, barramundi, crumbed prawns, potato scallops, fish cakes and steak burgers, with generous servings that earn it a steady local following. Eat in at the outside tables or take the paper parcel across to the beachfront.

Getting there and parking

The shop sits on David Low Way in the Marcoola shop strip, next to Chemist Warehouse and opposite the beachfront accommodation. There is a free car park on site plus ample street parking along David Low Way.

Close by with the dogs

The beach and coastal path are right across the road for a leashed walk before or after your order, and Mudjimba's off-leash beach a couple of minutes south lets dogs run free around the river mouth. For a fenced run closer to the shops, Marcoola's own fenced dog park is nearby, and Bulli covers the coffee side of the strip.

More eating options around the southern Sunshine Coast are in our guide to dog friendly Marcoola.

Pepsi: Counter service is my favourite service. I stand guard over the potato scallops while the humans find a table outside.