South Sailor

South Sailor is a casual seafood restaurant and bar at 2/228-232 Lawrence Hargrave Drive in Thirroul, about 150 metres back from the beach on the site locals still remember as Jim's Fish Cafe. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor and verandah tables out the front, which makes it a natural lunch or dinner stop either side of a walk along the coast.

The dog setup

The verandah and streetside tables are where leashed dogs settle, and they are first-come rather than reserved, so arriving before the rush is the reliable play. Inside the dining room is generally off limits for dogs, and while the odd quiet day gets flexibility at management's discretion, plan on the outdoor seating and book ahead with a note that you are bringing a dog for Friday or Saturday dinners. Staff have a good record with pets and often bring a water bowl out without being asked, but a portable bowl in the bag covers the busy nights.

The food and the vibe

This is a seafood kitchen with a full bar: think sashimi, poke bowls, dumplings, Korean fried chicken, seafood platters and paella, backed by beer, wine and cocktails. It trades dinner only on Wednesdays and Thursdays, then from midday Friday through Sunday, so it works as a dinner venue rather than a breakfast stop. The room is family-friendly, with a kids' cubby that tells you the noise level is forgiving if your dog is still learning restaurant manners.

Getting there and parking

Lawrence Hargrave Drive is the main drag through Thirroul and street parking out front gets tight at peak times, especially on weekend evenings. There is more parking behind the retail strip on the eastern side, a short walk away. Thirroul station is walkable if you are coming down the South Coast line and want to skip the parking altogether.

While you're out there

McCauleys Beach, the off-leash stretch just south of town, is an easy add-on before or after a meal, and the dog-beach details for the wider coastline are covered on Bark at the Beach. For other meals with the dog in the village, Two Mountains Merchant serves brunch in a shaded garden courtyard, and Homecoming Thirroul does coffee and breakfast at footpath tables a few doors up the hill.

More options are on the NSW restaurants index and the Thirroul destination page.

Max: Verandah table, fish and chips, and the whole family within sniffing distance. Worth the booking note.