We were prepared for rainy and cool, but Southern California shook off its recent weather and presented us with perfection. We celebrated with brunch at Madison Square Café in Laguna Beach, featuring excellent food for humans and the heartiest of welcomes for dogs.

Owner Jon Madison and a devoted fan

You place your order at the counter in front, then walk through the shop area (charming home decor and lots of great patio/garden decorations) to the patio in back. Choose a table in the sun, or shade, or under an umbrella, pour yourself some water and coffee, and wait for your order to arrive. The café is on the Pacific Coast Highway, but you’d never know it — all you hear is the splash of fountains and the clink of forks and knives. And dogs are sincerely welcome — towards the end of our meal, the owner stopped by all of the tables, greeting human visitors and pampering the furry visitors with treats. The picture I took shows one length of the café and the owner being mobbed by a Golden Retriever.

Otherwise, however, the dogs kept a low profile, sacked out at their owners’ feet. The ones who were there when we visited were all well-behaved and interacted nicely with Chloe. In the owner’s opinion, the dogs make it pleasant for everyone, and we think he’s right. This place is a keeper.

Madison Square Café
320 North Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
T: 949-494-0137
Open Weds. to Mon. 8 am to 3 pm