A New Zealand dog had a lucky escape after taking its owner's ute for a drive and crashing into a cafe.

It seems Wilco, a staffordshire-ridgeback cross, got tired of waiting for his owner, who had ducked into a shop in the South Island town of Cromwell.

Wilco pushed the gear stick into drive and the vehicle rolled about 15 metres before crashing into the Fusee Rouge Cafe.

Cafe owner Jacynda Wallace said it was a big shock.

"The dog was in the truck and the man was on the phone ringing his insurance company," she said.

"Everyone is talking about it. Lots of people from Auckland are talking about it and TV One, TV3 have rung me."

Ms Wallace says the front doors of her cafe will have to be replaced but she might name a sandwich after Wilco.