The Six Best Dog-Friendly Cafés in Wellington

There's no better feeling hanging out at your favourite café, loyal canine companion at your side (or feet). It's also important to make sure taking your dog to a café means that you'll both have a good time — there's nothing worse than showing up and having to tie them up outside to look dolefully at you, while you guiltily chug your flat white to get back to them as quickly as possible. With this guide, you'll be able to partake in ace food and good times while your mate gets looked after too. Whether you're the proud best friend of a doggo, a pupper, a pupperino, a fluffer or a floofer, a woofer or a boofer, here's a guide to the best spots to take your furry friend.

Side note: if you're the wistful would-be owner of a doggo, this list is also awesome if you need a place to pat a dog, or many. You're welcome.

Athfield Architects.

The Bresolin is a city favourite, and for good reason. Its menu is standout no matter which course you're going for; brunch sees you being able to choose from a consistently good range of dishes ranging from The Bresolin cooked breakfast ($22) to crumpets with poached stonefruit ($15) or the soup of the day (always awesome, order for the cheese toastie to dunk. $12). When you bring your pupper, they'll make sure they're looked after with a bowl of water.

278 Willis Street, Te Aro

PREFAB

Prefab has a long-established reputation for doing everything well. Coffee, baking, food, preserves. Now, we've been tipped off that they're extremely hospitable to dogs, too. Take your furry friend and sit outside for a brunch or lunch date — eggs on ACME sourdough and a long black for you, and a treat for your doggo.

14 Jessie Street, Te Aro

TUATUA

We can't think of anything better or more rewarding for both you and doggo than a bracing waterfront walk. On your way, stop in at Tuatua for a coffee and a bowl of water for your mate — they're known doggo apprectiators. For proof, check out their Instagram: Dogs of Tuatua (not sure if it's official, but it's awesome no matter what). Keep doing the good work, Tuatua.

Shed 4, below Frank Kitts Park

SPRUCE GOOSE

Another perfectly-positioned spot for a post-walk caffeine/h20 stop is Spruce Goose, at the far end of Lyall Bay. The ex-WWII aircraft hangar is now home to brunching Wellingtonians with an outlook over the best surf spot in the bay and the edge of the airport. All exciting things for your little furry mate to do a zoomy about.

30 Cochrane Street, Rongotai

THE LARDER

The Larder is a beautiful spot, for both you and your floofy friend. Situated in a renovated old house, it feels like being at home — except being fed far better. Their day menu reads like a dream — try the buttermilk crepes with poached peach, citrus yoghurt and rhubarb ($15), or the spiced calamari with chorizo, witlof, baby beetroot, pea tendrils and parsley puree ($18). Dogs like fine dining too, you know.

133 Darlington Road, Miramar, Wellington 

MACHETE

Having only been around for slightly over a year, Machete's sure established a name for itself among the canine-owning population of Wellington. This, coming from a spot that has no outdoor area to speak of. How do they do it? Their Guatemalan tacos and coffee are awesome, sure, but the thing that makes us happy is hearing that they'll let your little friend inside if it's raining to hang out with you. How nice is that?

9 Boulcott Street, Te Aro

Special thanks to CP reader and experienced dog-bruncher Melissa for sharing her expertise for this piece.

Feature photo credit to @eddyandsam.