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Puppy pampering, parties and pastry: Inside Hampstead's Dandie Dog Cafe
Dogs get five star treatment at Hampstead's new doggie café - Credit: Cookie Sami
For pooches who enjoy the finer things in life, Hampstead's new dog cafe is the paw-fect lunch spot.
Dandie Dog Cafe on Heath Street first opened in September last year, but days later it was forced to close due to the pandemic.
Having re-opened in May, owner Cookie Sami said customers can now make full use of the cafe's facilities.
She told the Ham&High: "We're not really counting last year, it feels like September was a dry run.
"For the next couple of months, we're just wanting to get the word out.
"We're still quite a new concept, so it's about spreading the word."
The Hampstead Village venue offers human and canine refreshments, doggie birthday parties and even yoga sessions where owners and pets alike can practice their "downward dog" poses.
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Also available are DIY dog washing facilities, complimentary dog beds for furry companions to relax in and doggie drying robes after a walk in the rain.
"It feels magical to have our furry customers and human customers back again," Cookie said.
"We're doing what we were made to do, and bringing joy back to people's lives and feeling like we're in our own little happy place here, it's just a really lovely feeling.
"We're so delighted to be back open."
Dandie, named after the Dandie Dinmont terrier dog breed, is an oasis for Hampstead's pet-loving residents, where canine guests are just as welcome as their owners.
"There aren't many places where the dog has such a good time, and the humans can as well," Cookie said.
"You get nourished wonderfully."
The varied canine menu includes "courgetti and meatballs", shepherd's pie cupcakes" and Scoop's vanilla ice-cream for pudding.
Meanwhile, humans can tuck into vegetarian goodies including smashed avocado on sourdough toast, vegan mac'n'cheese or a selection of small sharing plates.
The cafe houses a luxury boutique, including hemp wellness treats, raincoat onesies, sequin bomber jackets and doggie bowties.
"Dogs bring joy to our lives anyway, and we need to appreciate them more, and this is a place where they feel appreciated and where they can have fun," Cookie said.
"I think it's important that more places allow dogs in, because everyone loves them."