Oscar Italia

Oscar Italia is a community-minded Italian bistro at 190 Varsity Parade in Varsity Lakes, serving pasta and pizza a short stroll from the Lake Orr foreshore. The venue is openly pet-friendly: it advertises dogs in its alfresco areas and puts water bowls out for canine guests, so a well-behaved dog can join you for a proper sit-down Italian meal.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor terrace and mezzanine alfresco seating, not inside the main dining room with its velvet couches. Staff regularly provide water bowls, though bringing your own bowl and a mat is smart on a busy service. Keep your dog leashed and settled, and check ahead for the current service days, as hours have shifted between lunch and dinner sessions.

Worth knowing

The kitchen leans classic: chicken and chorizo pasta, seafood pasta, lasagne and arancini to start, backed by wood-fired pizza, spritzes and a fully licensed bar. Reviewers point to generous serves and a family-friendly feel, and there is a kids' menu. The room is named for owner Leisa's favourite poet, Oscar Wilde, which explains the literary touches.

Getting there and parking

Street parking runs along Varsity Parade and additional parking services the surrounding commercial suites, but it gets busy at dinner. If you are staying central in Varsity Lakes, the lakefront path brings you in on foot.

Make a day of it

The flat, paved circuit around Lake Orr is a good leashed walk before or after a meal. For off-leash time, Frascott Park Fenced Dog Park has two fully enclosed zones with agility equipment. The Brooklyn Wine & Tapas and Wild Cherry Coffee House are other dog-friendly tables in the same suburb, and more are on the Varsity Lakes destination page.

Oscar Italia is part of our QLD restaurant guide for dog-friendly eating across Queensland.