IZAKAYA ATE

Izakaya Ate is an authentic Japanese izakaya at 3/14 Arcadia Street, tucked behind the main Noosa Junction strip in Noosa Heads. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables, which makes this an easy pre-beach lunch or an early dinner stop when the Junction starts humming.

The dog setup

Well-behaved dogs join you at the small outdoor tables off the quieter side of Arcadia Street, with access straight from the footpath. The indoor dining room is off limits. The side street stays calmer than the Junction's main drag, so it suits a dog that settles around occasional foot traffic. Staff are accommodating but water bowls are not guaranteed, so bring a collapsible one.

The food

The menu runs true izakaya style: share plates and small dishes from a veteran Japanese chef. Think gyoza, takoyaki, seaweed edamame, crispy karaage, ramen, tonkatsu and house-made Japanese curry, with sake, Japanese whisky and beer behind the bar. Lunch runs 11:30am to 3pm and dinner 5pm to 9pm Monday to Saturday; Sunday is closed. Weekday lunch is the quiet window if your dog needs space.

Pepsi: the smell of karaage coming out of that kitchen tested every ounce of training I have.

Getting there and parking

Noosa Junction is the precinct between the Sunshine Motorway end and Hastings Street, and Arcadia Street sits just off the main Junction strip. Parking is in the Junction's council car parks or on surrounding streets, busiest from mid morning in school holidays. From Hastings Street it is a 10 minute walk, or the free bus loops through the Junction.

Close by with the dogs

Pair lunch with a swim at the Noosa doggy beach, an off-lead run at Elysium off leash dog park, or a drink down the riverfront at Taka Boys in Noosaville.

Good for a casual Japanese feed where the dog can come along for the whole loop.