The Old Mill Cafe & Restaurant

The Old Mill Cafe & Restaurant is a rustic village favourite in a historic mill building on Pym Street, Millthorpe, serving breakfast and lunch Wednesday to Sunday from 7am. Dogs sit with you in the outdoor courtyard, which makes it the natural first stop on a morning loop through one of the Central West's prettiest heritage villages.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor courtyard and street-side seating, leashed and under control, while the indoor dining room stays people only for food safety reasons. Staff regularly make a fuss of visiting pets, and the courtyard keeps your dog close without them underfoot. Bring your own water bowl if yours is fussy, though staff are happy to help out.

The vibe

Inside it is cosy and heritage: exposed mill bones, an open fireplace for the cold Orange winters, and a steady hum of locals. The kitchen does hearty breakfasts like the Farmers Feast on ciabatta and a breakkie roll with house relish, then moves to brisket burgers and a pumpkin and feta frittata for lunch. House-made cakes and slices fill the cabinet, and the lemon meringue pie has a reputation that pulls people in on its own.

Getting there and parking

The address is 12 Pym Street, Millthorpe, about 20 minutes from Orange and 30 from Bathurst. Street parking out front and along the surrounding village blocks is free, with plenty of spots on weekdays and only mild turnover pressure on weekend mornings. Millthorpe is small enough that you can park once and walk the whole visit.

Close by with the dogs

Warm up first at the Glenorie Road Off Leash Dog Area on the edge of the village, or make a longer day of it with a stop at Angullong Wines' cellar door. The rest of the village's dog friendly picks are in the Millthorpe guide.

Max: weekend mornings fill fast in a village this small, so walk the dog first and roll in before 9am. Order the meringue pie before the cabinet sells it.

Check the day before you drive out, since the cafe runs Wednesday to Sunday only. For more options across the state, browse the NSW restaurant listings.