Join us as we explore the best dog-friendly cafés, restaurants, shops and parks our cool little capital has to offer. Got a dog-friendly spot you want us to visit? Leave a comment below! Check out our other Dog-Friendly blog posts here.
Who: Prefab Eatery
Where: 14 Jessie Street, Te Aro, Wellington
When: Monday - Friday 7am-3.30pm, Saturday 8am-3pm, closed Sundays and public holidays
Perfect for: Weekday brunch and lunch dates, coffee connoisseurs (they even roast their own coffee on site)!
Dogs allowed: Inside and outside, but a few very reasonable and strictly enforced rules apply:
- There is no barking, biting or threatening behaviour tolerated by dogs (or their owners)
- Dogs are not permitted to sit at the table
- They do not provide any toilet facilities for dogs, in or around our property - so be sure to do a toilet stop before your visit!
- They can feed the owners but not the dogs
- Owners that do not adhere to these rules will be asked to leave... their dogs at home
Image credit: ACME & Co
Founded in 2013 by Jeff Kennedy and Bridget Dunn as a flagship cafe for their brand ACME & Co, this sunny 180 seater eatery quickly became a Wellington fave and it's easy to see why.
The perfect spot for a lunch date with your furry companion, well behaved doggos are always welcome at Prefab (see the rules above), and they provide a hook and water bowl out front.
Their menu is seasonal with bread fresh from the oven throughout the day (who doesn't love freshly baked bread?!). Current customer faves include the ACME Salad which changes daily, and the Seafood Chowder.
Prefab roast their own coffee, ACME & Co, daily on site. Strong but smooth, it's served as espresso and bottomless filter from 7am. You can also buy their coffee online along with other pantry items, like the specially sourced USA gherkins and sauerkraut used in their menu.
Sitting just off the beaten track on Jessie Street, make a morning of it and visit the shops on College Street (and Smack Bang just down the road, of course) and pick up some groceries from Moore Wilson's Fresh (who also provide dog hooks and fresh water). What a wonderful city to be a dog owner!
Image credit: Prefab
Don’t miss the opportunity to upload some snaps to Instagram! Tag @prefabeatery and @smackbangstore, and use the hashtag #dogfriendlywellington for the chance to be featured.
Dog bless.
A
P.S. Please be responsible dog parent! If your dog can’t handle loud noises, busy crowds or other dogs, please refrain from bringing them with you, or test them out during a quiet period to see how they go. When taking your dog out remember to be wary of the conditions - make sure they have enough water and shade, check that the footpaths aren’t too hot for them to walk on (if it’s too hot for you it’s too hot for them!), and never leave them in a hot car.
Le Maquis Cafe in Wadestown has recently opened its doors to dogs. Check it out?