Chapels on Whatley

Chapels on Whatley is an eclectic European-style cafe and high-tea house at 196 Whatley Crescent in Maylands, open 8am to 4pm seven days. The draw for dog owners is the sheltered rear courtyard, which has more actual room to settle a dog than most footpath setups in the area.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the rear alley courtyard, with a small number of front footpath tables as backup. The indoor rooms are reserved for human diners, and here is the catch worth knowing: the booking policy puts formal table reservations indoors by default, with the courtyard used for overflow and fine weather. So if you want a dog-friendly table, call ahead and flag it rather than booking online and hoping. Bring your own water bowl on busy weekends.

Max: the courtyard is the whole show here. On a warm Perth morning it beats a kerbside table every time, and I have room to lie flat instead of folding up under a chair.

Worth knowing

The cafe is best known for an extensive specialty tea list and high tea, alongside a broad brunch menu with gluten-free and vegan options, and the retro-eccentric decor is part of the appeal. It sits right near Maylands Train Station, so arriving by rail is a genuine option; street parking on Whatley Crescent and the side streets tightens up on weekends.

Close by with the dogs

Bardon Park on the Swan River is close, with off-lead exercise allowed on the top oval and leads required along the foreshore paths, and Riverside Gardens Dog Exercise Area extends the river option. For other meals around the suburb, The Hangar At Maylands is nearby, and Mrs. S Cafe is a coffee stop on the same side of the river.

More options are on the Western Australia dog friendly restaurants guide and the Maylands destination page.