Old Salt Distillery

Old Salt Distillery is a family-owned distillery, microbrewery and restaurant in South Nowra, pouring house-made gin, vodka and craft beer alongside wood-fired meals from a scratch kitchen that leans seasonal and mostly gluten-free. The venue names itself as pet-friendly on its bar and dining page rather than leaving the policy to guesswork.

The dog setup

Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome at this relaxed, open-plan venue, and owners are expected to clean up after their dog. Water bowls are not explicitly advertised, so check with staff on arrival or bring your own. The atmosphere is casual and unhurried, built for a longer sit-down visit with the dog settled under the table while you work through the gin list.

Worth knowing

This is a working distillery as much as a restaurant, with the spirits made on site. The menu runs from garlic prawns and beef rib to a passionfruit cheesecake that gets its own fan base, and the pours come straight from the stills and tanks a few steps away. Hours are limited, so check the current schedule before making the drive.

Pepsi: the courtyard has room to stretch out under the table, good for a longer sit while the humans work through the gin list.

Getting there and parking

The venue lists its address as Unit 1/18 Tom Thumb Ave, South Nowra NSW 2541, just off the Princes Highway on the city side of Nowra, with on-site parking. It is an industrial-edge spot rather than a streetscape, which keeps things quiet for dogs.

Close by with the dogs

For an off-lead run either side of a booking, the Nowra Fenced Dog Park on North St and the Bomo Dog Bowl Fenced Dog Park at Bomaderry are both close and fully fenced. The Huskisson to Vincentia Shared Path is the pick if you are pairing the visit with a Jervis Bay day trip.

More dog-friendly dining across the state is listed on the NSW restaurants page, and the South Nowra destination guide covers the local area.