The kiosk on the beach
The Salty Dog is a beach kiosk at 50 The Esplanade, right on Fishermans Beach, next to the Torquay boat ramp and across the road from Taylor Park. The tables are outside, looking over the water. It's casual, it's early, and the dogs come too. That's where the name comes from.
It's one of our own favourites. It opens at 6am every day, so it's the easy one for an early breakfast by the water, or a coffee before most of the town is up.
What's on the menu
It's one all-day menu, so you can have a burger at 7am or eggs at 1pm. These dishes and prices are from the Salty Dog's 2026 menu on its website.
Breakfast
Local free-range eggs on sourdough ($16.50), smashed avo with poached eggs, Meredith goat's cheese and house beetroot relish ($24), eggs Benny with bacon or smoked salmon ($23), Turkish eggs with herby yoghurt and chilli oil ($22), chilli scrambled eggs ($22), vanilla French toast on brioche ($23) and a berry oat porridge ($18). Sourdough toast with the usual spreads is $9.90.
Lunch
Fish and chips ($24), salt and pepper calamari ($24), and three burgers: the Saltydawg double cheeseburger ($18), a fried chicken burger ($22) and a 180g Angus burger with bacon ($23), all with fries. There are nachos, loaded wedges, a halloumi bowl with quinoa and roast cauliflower ($21), and a bowl of Saltydog fries ($13). The blackboard inside has a daily soup, and the cabinet has wraps, toasties and cakes to grab and go.
Coffee and drinks
Dukes organic coffee, at $5.30 for a regular milk coffee, plus cold brew, iced lattes and iced matcha. Smoothies are $12.50 (the Purple Pooch is berries and banana), milkshakes are $11, and fresh orange juice is $8.50.
Gluten free and vegetarian
Most of the breakfasts have a gluten-free option, and the menu marks the vegetarian and dairy-free dishes. The kitchen does use gluten, though, and the menu says it can't guarantee anything is completely gluten free.
Dogs and kids
Every table is outside, so the dog can sit with you wherever you end up. There's even a Salty Doggaccino on the menu for them ($2), next to the $2.50 babyccino for the kids. If you're walking the dog on the sand afterwards, Fishermans Beach is a timeshare zone: from 1 December to the end of February and over Easter, no dogs on the beach from 9am to 7pm. Outside those times they can be off-lead under control. Our dog-friendly Torquay guide has the rest of the rules.
Kids' meals are $12.50: waffles with Nutella and ice cream, a fried egg and bacon on toast, or nuggets and chips. Fishermans Beach is usually calm, so it's an easy place for small kids to paddle while you finish your coffee.
Hours and paying
Opening hours
Every day from 6am. Coffee, toasties, smoothies and cakes run until 2.30pm, and the kitchen closes at 2pm. It's a daytime place, so there's no dinner.
Public holidays
There's a 20% surcharge on public holidays.
Contact
Phone (03) 5261 9410, or use the contact form on its website.
Getting there
It's a few minutes' drive from north Torquay, or about 20 minutes on foot along the foreshore. There's a car park next to the kiosk, shared with the boat ramp, and more parking along The Esplanade.
From Holyday House on Holyhead, we'd walk. It's 400m to Whites Beach, then south along the sand to Fishermans Beach, with or without the dog, and breakfast is waiting at the other end. It's one of our favourite ways to start the day.
In summer (1 December to the end of February) and over Easter, dogs aren't allowed on the beach between Deep Creek and the Salty Dog from 9am to 7pm. There's a walking track and grass between the beach and the road for that stretch, so it's a slight detour at most, and no big deal.
The Surf Coast Walk runs past the door, so it works well as a coffee stop at the start or end of a walk. Front Beach and the shops are a short walk south.
Nearby
For a sit-down breakfast a bit further along The Esplanade, try Bomboras or Pond Cafe. Our breakfast guide has the rest of the town's early starts, and the fishing guide covers the beach and the boat ramp next door.
The Salty Dog Cafe FAQ
Where is the Salty Dog Cafe?
At 50 The Esplanade, Torquay, on Fishermans Beach next to the boat ramp.
What time does the Salty Dog open?
6am every day. The kitchen closes at 2pm and coffee stops at 2.30pm.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes. All the tables are outside, and there's a doggaccino on the menu.
Does it do lunch?
Yes. Burgers, fish and chips, calamari and nachos are on the all-day menu until 2pm.
Is there gluten-free food?
There are gluten-free options for most breakfasts, but the kitchen can't guarantee them, so take care with coeliac disease.
For more early coffee, see our cafes guide and Torquay beaches. Staying in north Torquay? Check dates at Holyday House.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 21 October 2026. Opening hours, patrols, rules and closures change — check with the source before you go.
- Salty Dog Cafe Torquay — The Salty Dog Cafe (official)
- All day menu, summer and winter 2026 (PDF) — The Salty Dog Cafe (official)
- Where to walk your dogs — Surf Coast Shire
- Dog regulations map: Torquay, Jan Juc and Bellbrae (PDF) — Surf Coast Shire
- The Salty Dog Cafe, Torquay Boat Ramp and Taylor Park — OpenStreetMap