Ten 06

Ten 06 occupies a beachfront spot on Sims Esplanade at Yorkeys Knob, looking straight out over the sand north of Cairns. It is known across the region for something most restaurants never attempt: a dedicated canine menu, with items like puppycunos and spaghetti muttballs so the dog gets a proper plate of its own. Visitors report dogs are welcome across the expansive outdoor seating, and the venue's own page carries the same message.

Dogs at the tables

The beachfront outdoor area is generous, so there is room for a dog to lie flat without blocking anything. Water comes with the table on busy days, and the dog menu turns an ordinary lunch stop into the main event for many visiting families. Because the whole esplanade strip is walkable, a swim or a beach stroll before you sit down tends to produce a dog that settles instantly. Staff are used to beach dogs dripping on the decking, so there is no pressure to towel yours down before you sit. For a dog that has never had its own restaurant order, this is the place to start.

On the plate

For the humans, the menu runs from oysters to curry, and curry night draws a crowd of its own. Live music features through the week and weekend sessions, which is worth timing around if your dog is noise sensitive. The venue opens Wednesday to Saturday from 8am to 8pm and Sunday from 8am to 6pm, and it closes Monday and Tuesday, so plan the dog lunch for midweek or the weekend.

While you are at Yorkeys Knob

Doppio Zero covers the coffee-and-breakfast side of the suburb if you want a morning stop before a long lunch, and Villa Marine is a dog friendly base for visitors staying on. The Yorkeys Knob guide pulls the area's dog friendly places together.