Shorehouse

Shorehouse sits right on The Strand at North Ward, with deck seating stacked over the water and ocean views from most of the ground floor. The menu runs from chicken dumplings and beef cheeks to pork belly and a chicken makhani, with a serious cocktail list for the evening. Ground floor street level dining is designated dog friendly, with dogs welcome on lead and water bowls reported by local dog friendly guides.

The dog setup

The dog friendly claim comes from Townsville dog friendly guides rather than the venue's own website, so treat the setup as reported practice. Dogs belong at the street level ground floor tables, not up on the upper deck, and water bowls have been reported on site. Keep your dog on lead and away from the stairs if the deck is busy, and flag the dog to staff when you arrive so they can seat you at a suitable table. Lunch service runs from midday on weekends and dinner starts at 5pm midweek, so a weekend lunch is the easiest slot with a dog in tow.

Worth knowing

This is a drink friendly, view first restaurant, so expect a slower meal and a bill that reflects the location. The deck catches the afternoon sun, and sunset is the busiest window, which matters if your dog is not comfortable around crowds. Parking along The Strand is free but tight on weekend evenings, so leave time to find a spot on a side street. The beach strip in front of the restaurant gives you an on lead stroll before you sit down.

After lunch or dinner, Rossiter Park Fenced Dog Park in Aitkenvale gives the dog a proper run a short drive inland, and more off lead spots around the state are listed on the parks in QLD page. For other dog friendly meals, start with the dog friendly cafes in QLD list.