HIDDEN GROUNDS BRASSERIE

Hidden Grounds Brasserie is a coffee-by-day, brasserie-by-night eatery on the lower ground level of the Tallawong Village shopping precinct, at Shop 8, 2 Conferta Avenue, Tallawong in Sydney's north-west. The daytime trade runs early: 6am starts Monday to Friday, 6am Saturday and 7:30am Sunday, winding up mid-afternoon, with a steak-led dinner menu advertised for evening service, so call ahead if you are planning a late table. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating on a lead, making it an easy breakfast stop in the Hills district with the dog in tow.

The dog setup

Dogs join you at the outdoor tables on the lower ground level near the shop entrance, kept on lead and clear of the walkway where prams and shoppers pass. Water bowls are sometimes put out but not guaranteed, so carry your own. Weekday early mornings are the quiet window; weekend brunch brings the family crowd, which suits a sociable dog but not a nervous one.

On the plate

The daytime menu covers all-day breakfast and brunch: corn fritters, smashed avocado, signature omelettes and a bacon and egg burger, with coffee that draws regular praise and hot chocolate for the non-caffeinated. Lunch runs to protein bowls, including the house rump steak bowl with brown rice and basil pesto, and the brasserie side of the menu steps up to premium steaks, such as the 300g grass-fed sirloin, plus seafood and small plates with a wine and cocktail list for the evening trade.

Getting there and parking

Tallawong Village sits at the end of the Metro North West line, and Tallawong station is a short walk from the precinct, which is the easiest way in. Free parking is available through the Tallawong Village complex, including accessible spaces near the shops, and the surrounding Conferta Avenue streets take overflow.

Close by with the dogs

Nearby options with the dogs include Durk's Cafe + Eatery in the same suburb, Caffe Cherry Beans at Kellyville, and Sparks Reserve Dog Off Leash Area at Box Hill for an off-lead run before brunch.

More options are on the New South Wales dog friendly restaurants guide and the Tallawong destination page.