Thunder Eatery & Cafe

Thunder Eatery & Cafe sits at 17 Hall Street in central Newport, a short walk from the station, cooking a Middle Eastern and Mexican crossover: shakshuka, kofta, tahini-laden lamb plates and good coffee, with the kitchen staying open into the evening well past a typical cafe. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area while inside stays people-only, and the late close makes it a rare local option for a dinner stop with a dog on the footpath rather than just breakfast.

The dog setup

The outdoor tables out the front are the dog spot, and staff are known locally for being warm to visiting dogs. Bring your own water bowl rather than counting on one, and keep the lead clipped to the table leg while the plates come out, because Hall Street footpath traffic runs steady. There is no published dog menu or treat list, so if your dog needs something while you eat, carry it yourself.

Max: shakshuka for you, own snacks for the dog, and a walk to the lakes afterwards. That is a whole Newport morning.

Worth knowing

Hours run Tuesday 10am to 10pm, Wednesday to Friday from 10:30am to 10:30pm, Saturday from 11:30am and Sunday from 11:45am, both closing around 10:30pm, with Monday off. Free street parking is usually findable around Hall Street and the side streets, though the station end fills in the morning peak, and the train is the easier choice for anyone coming from outside Newport.

Close by with the dogs

Newport Lakes is roughly two kilometres up the hill: the northwest tip is the only off-leash zone, with dogs prohibited from the eastern side, the lakes and the water-bird conservation areas, so keep the lead on through the rest. Closer to Hall Street, Newport Park's fenced dog park and the Warmies riverside strip give shorter run options, and Anchorage Bakery Cafe is another dog-welcoming stop near the water. More of the west is under VIC dog friendly restaurants and the Newport guide.