Bison Smokehouse & Bar

Bison Smokehouse & Bar is Tamworth's dedicated American barbecue house, smoking brisket, pulled pork and lamb ribs low and slow at 583 Armidale Road in East Tamworth. It is a casual, family-friendly room with a proper smoker out the back, and dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables, so the dog can settle in beside you while you work through a platter.

The dog setup

Dogs join you in the outdoor dining area, leashed and close to your table. The indoor dining room stays people-only. Staff are used to four-legged regulars, but bring your own water bowl to be sure, especially on busy Friday and Saturday services. The outdoor tables sit along Armidale Road, so a dog that startles at passing traffic will be happier at a table further from the roadside.

Worth knowing

The menu is built around the smoker: beef brisket, smoked meats by the plate and a platter for two, with corn bread and mac and cheese on the sides. House-made sauces run from Carolina-style to Texan, and there is a solid beer and cocktail list to go with them. Live music turns up regularly, which is worth factoring in if your dog prefers a quieter room. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 9pm, closed Monday and Sunday.

Getting there and parking

There is free off-street parking on site, which makes arriving with a dog straightforward. The venue is in East Tamworth, a short drive from the city centre, and the residential streets around Armidale Road are handy for a leg-stretch walk before you sit down.

Make a day of it

Pair a smokehouse lunch with a walk along the Peel River parklands closer to town, then round out the day at other dog-friendly tables in the region. The Pig and Tinder Box is another Tamworth restaurant with outdoor seating, and Humble Espresso covers the morning coffee run in the same part of town. More options are on the Tamworth destination page.

Bison Smokehouse & Bar sits in New South Wales' north-west, and you can browse every dog-friendly venue in the state via our NSW restaurant guide.