Melbourne is renowned for its vibrant coffee culture and its friendly cafes, but what about our furry four-legged friends? They shouldn’t have to miss out on joining their owners for a relaxing visit to one of Melbourne’s awesome cafes and dog-friendly restaurants to indulge in a good snack or refreshing drink.
If you’re looking for a great coffee and a dog-friendly atmosphere, then look no further, as here is my list of the best dog-friendly cafes Melbourne has to offer where you, too, can enjoy a cup of coffee with your furry friend by your side.
From chill hangouts to cosy corner cafes, these venues will make sure you and your doggos are well-caffeinated and ready to explore all that Melbourne has to offer.
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Melbourne Dog Friendly Cafes – South / South-East / Bayside
1. Joe Frank, Ashburton
One dog friendly cafe Melbourne has to offer is this beautiful light-filled cafe called Joe Frank. An Ashburton go-to for Italian brunch fare, it has claimed the hearts of locals, and it’s all thanks to the hospitality of the Tucci family.
The cafe’s menu is filled with Italian favourites and Aussie brunch staples. Try out the delicious handmade sweets from lemon tarts to Halva brownies, baked daily on site.
Joe Frank, 246 High Street, Ashburton, +61 3 9193 0169
2. Elwood Bathers, Elwood
One of Melbourne’s most popular waterfront restaurants and event spaces, Elwood Bathers offers exceptional food and breathtaking views of Port Phillip Bay. It is always an iconic scenic experience but delicious too.
You can find the waterfront restaurant right on the foreshore of Elwood Bathers. It’s got one of the best beachfront spots in Melbourne. Open Mon – Tues 11:30am – 4pm, Weds – Sun 11.30am til late and open for takeaway coffee and pastries 7 days a week from 9am.
Elwood Bathers, 15 Elwood Foreshore, Elwood, info@elwoodbathers.com, +61 3 9525 6933
3. The Commons Collective, Melbourne
Situated in a heritage-listed building, The Commons Collective is a reimagined space offering a trusted, welcoming environment for people to connect over delicious food.
The creative and inspiring destination is multi-faceted and features mostly al fresco spaces, including The Conservatory, The Kitchen Garden, The Garden Cafe and The Beer Garden, which are perfect for gatherings and intimate evenings with friends.
The Commons Collective, thecommons@thebiggroup.com.au, 17 Moubray Street, Melbourne, +61 3 8416 9791
4. Kanteen, South Yarra
Kanteen is an amazing indoor-outdoor experience where guests can enjoy beautiful views of the Yarra River while being protected from the cold by their heavy-duty, clear plastic walls and huge bar heaters, which are great for staying cosy and warm during the winter months.
During the warmer months, the cafe’s open sides let the breeze in for a refreshing experience.
Kanteen, 150 Alexandra Avenue, South Yarra, +61 3 9827 0488
5. The Observatory, South Yarra
Set within the greenery of Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria – Melbourne Gardens, The Observatory has taken over the former Jardin Tan space as an all-day eatery.
This dog-friendly spot offers outdoor seating where you can relax with your pet while enjoying coffee, breakfast, or lunch in the gardens.
The Observatory, Royal Botanic Gardens, 100 Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra, eat@theobservatory.melbourne, +61 3 9948 4991
6. The Kettle Black, South Melbourne
Offering customers a relaxing atmosphere, Kettle Black is a mix between a cafe and a restaurant in a gorgeous terrace house that will make you want to stay for hours.
Their refined seasonal menu includes a selection of breakfast and lunch dishes, while for drinks, they’re serving up a custom Darling Blend made from specialty coffee beans sourced directly from the world’s best producers. Each cup is blended to perfection and is sure to quench your caffeine cravings.
Kettle Black also offers a range of signature cocktails which are available all day, every day. Enjoy Espresso Martinis, Mimosas or something from their selection of wine and beer.
Kettle Black, 50 Albert Road, South Melbourne, info@thekettleblack.com.au, +61 3 9088 0721
7. Cornerstone & Co., Hampton
Cornerstone & Co is a quaint little cafe situated in the peaceful back streets of Hampton. The cafe gives off a contemporary yet homely feel, with its white tiled walls and sleek wire chairs, recycled timber tables and wooden shelving. The cafe is owned by a young local family who’s passionate about serving their customers nothing less than the highest-quality produce and coffee in all of their offerings.
The food includes Japanese and Sicilian influences, which reflect their chef’s Japanese upbringing and the owner’s Sicilian heritage.
Cornerstone & Co. 75 Ludstone Street, Hampton, info@cornerstoneandco.com.au, +61 3 9521 6865
8. Left Field, Carnegie
Enjoy fresh and creative food in a warm and inviting atmosphere at Left Field, a corner-spot, pet-friendly cafe in Carnegie which offers an all-day breakfast menu that you can enjoy within the cafe’s discrete dining spaces, outdoors on their street-side seating, or in their little courtyard out the back.
Left Field opens its doors every day from 7am to 2pm.
Left Field, 358 Koornang Road, Carnegie, info@leftfieldcarnegie.com, +61 3 9578 2043
9. Lawson Grove Shop, South Yarra
Looking to take it easy today? Why not enjoy a cosy stop at the charming cafe Lawson Grove Shop, which can be found in South Yarra.
The cafe offers daily specials, ready-made dishes to take home and desserts such as mini cakes, brownies and muffins that all pair nicely with a warm cup of coffee. For dog owners, the street side tables are a popular spot to stay with your fur babies, especially when the weather is great and the day is sunny.
The shop also acts as a simple convenience store for residents in the area.
Lawson Grove Shop, 1 Lawson Grove, South Yarra, lawsongrove@gmail.com +61 3 9866 3640
10. Moby, Armadale
Multi-level cafe Moby is a great spot in Armadale that has everything the locals could ask for! Their menu includes delicious salads and hearty plates, velvety smooth lattes and cheeky lavish treats!
You can find Moby in the old Woodstock site on High Street, Armadale. The location has a massive, open rooftop, where you can enjoy munching on your brunch in the warm sun.
Moby, 1150 High Street, Armadale, hello@moby3143.com.au, +61 3 9509 2710
11. MAZI Brighton, Brighton
Escape from the hustle and bustle of work for a quick bite at MAZI Brighton Cafe Click to open side panel for more information , which has taken over the former Brighton Schoolhouse space.
Located on the corner of St Andrews Street and Church Street in Brighton, this lovely cafe is set amongst trees and gardens and has an aesthetic mix of old-world charm and modern design. The whole environment gives off a comfortable and relaxing feel which is perfect for catching up with a friend, enjoying a lovely brunch with the family, or having a chill day with your fur buddy in their dog-friendly courtyard!
The cafe offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu along with smoothies, all-day breakfast choices, and great coffee. They also offer dishes that cater to those with dietary needs like vegan and gluten-free options.
MAZI Brighton, 15 St Andrews Street, Brighton, +61 412 956 554
Melbourne Dog Friendly Cafes – North / North-East
12. A Minor Place, Brunswick
Frequented by locals, A Minor Place is a coffee shop tucked away on Albion St, between Sydney Rd and Lygon St. You can enjoy a delicious sweet treat, a variety of beverage choices, a delicious menu with vegan options and just a great overall friendly vibe.
This dog friendly cafe in Brunswick offers global dishes in a simple, wood-accented cafe, plus an outside area with milk-crate seats.
A Minor Place, 103 Albion Street, Brunswick, info@aminorplace.com.au, +61 3 9384 3131
13. Bellboy, Brunswick East
Located at the East Brunswick Village on Nicholson Street, Bellboy is a stylish cafe that serves up a modern take on Melbourne brunch classics, a dedicated New York City-style bagel menu and coffee roasted on-site by Mark Leo, the cafe’s award-winning Roaster.
The chic cafe offers free onsite parking, a spacious outdoor terrace, and a ‘check-in’ zone for dogs, making it the perfect dog-friendly cafe to relax and reconnect with family and friends.
Bellboy, 131 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East, hello@bellboycafe.com.au, +61 3 9088 8442
14. Code Black Coffee Brunswick, Brunswick
For a serving of food and coffee that really hits the spot, head on over to Code Black Coffee Brunswick – a boutique coffee roastery and cafe where they’ve perfected their offerings through thorough preparation and excellence.
Looking for recommendations on their food? Have a taste of their roast beef and roasted potato sandwich, or the grilled asparagus with shaved prosciutto, fresh herbs and butterbeans.
Code Black Coffee Brunswick, 15-17 Weston Street, Brunswick, +61 3 9388 0005
Code Black Coffee Cremorne, 189 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000, +61 3 9959 8860
Coffee South Melbourne, 119 Howard Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051, +61 3 9329 3051
15. Sweet Evelyn, Brunswick
Catering to the sweet tooths of the city is Sweet Evelyn where they offer a good combination of sweet and savoury ingredients, resulting in a balanced treat that doesn’t give off an overpowering sweetness.
Enjoy everything from maple caramel popcorn, green tea with red bean and cookies and cream-flavoured cupcakes to a selection of macarons, sweet pies, doughnuts and more.
On top of their sweet treats, Sweet Evelyn also provides an all-day breakfast menu, with croissants and bread from Dench Bakers and Reverence Coffee’s Carousel blend.
Sweet Evelyn, 128 Union Street, Brunswick, +61 3 9078 3734
16. The Farm Cafe, Abbotsford
From an espresso machine in the back of their car to a full-service cafe, The Farm Cafe is a fantastic plant-filled café that offers modern café food and excellent coffee every day of the week.
Looking to enjoy a delightful breakfast at the cafe? Try out the Farmer’s Breakfast, composed of bacon, eggs, pork sausage, potato cake, roasted tomato, mushrooms and toast. Or maybe you’re just after a light meal to get you through the day? Try out their caramel banana bread, muesli or salad!
The Farm Cafe opens at 9am on weekdays and at 8am on weekends.
The Farm Cafe, info@farmcafe.com.au, 18 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, +61 3 9415 6581
17. Industry Beans, Fitzroy
Industry Beans was created by brothers Steven and Trevor Simmons with a vision of offering their community specialty high-quality roasted coffee to provide them with the joy of indulging in the ultimate coffee experience, which is exactly what they were able to accomplish.
They were able to win over the hearts of coffee lovers and everyday brunch-goers and eventually became recognised for their innovative approaches to coffee roasting and unique hospitality.
This dog-friendly cafe in Fitzroy is open every day. Their doors open at 7am on weekdays and 8am on weekends.
Industry Beans, Warehouse 3, 70-76 Westgarth Street, Fitzroy, +61 3 9417 1034
Other locations:
Industry Beans Chadstone, Shop G043 (At the Tiffany’s entrance), 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone, venues@industrybeans.com, +61 3 9088 5549
Industry Beans Lt. Collins, 345 Lt. Collins Street, Melbourne, venues@industrybeans.com, +61 3 9989 3779
Melbourne Dog Friendly Cafes – Inner West/ WEST/ North-West
18. Cornershop, Yarraville
Filled with lively staff, vintage tables and a menu filled with mouthwatering items, Cornershop is a lovely cafe situated just across the street from the Sun Theatre, where you and your puppy can have a great time together.
Enjoy their locally roasted coffee as you have a bite from their dishes which are prepared daily from the freshest produce sourced from the most reputable producers.
This dog friendly cafe in the inner west is open Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 3pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 3pm.
Cornershop, 11 Ballarat Street, Yarraville, 11ballaratst@gmail.com, +61 3 9689 0052
19. Local Folk, Kensington
Enjoy a breakfast spin on much-loved Italian classics at Local Folk, a cheery daytime cafe in Kensington that makes dishes worth waking up for. On top of their popular house-made breakfast gnocchi, the cafe also sells other breakfast staples such as buttermilk pancakes and eggs benedict which pair nicely with a cup of Toby’s Estate coffee.
The space offers lots of inside and street side seating. In addition, dogs and kids are welcome.
Local Folk, 43 Epsom Road, Kensington, ashley@localfolk.com.au, +61 3 9939 7241
20. Leroys, Newport
Leroys is an inviting cafe that actively welcomes young families and their four-legged friends. For those wanting to bring little ones along, you’ll be happy to hear that Leroys’ backyard is purpose-made for kids, with a sandpit, blackboard and playground.
The dishes on their menu use the herbs and fresh veggies grown from the cafe’s planter boxes in the backyard. From their menu, indulge in avo toast, flavourful burgers, hot dogs and more.
The space at Leroys is bright and airy, and the staff are always happy to help – whether you’re bringing little kids, furry friends, or just an empty stomach, you’re sure to have a great time.
Leroys, 5 Mason Street, Newport, leroyscafenewport@gmail.com, +61 3 9399 4187
21. Crowded House, Williamstown
Enjoy a range of single-origin coffees, as well as a custom espresso blend from Di Bella in North Melbourne, at Crowded House. On top of serving fantastic coffee, the cafe also serves up a Middle Eastern-tinged menu.
The feel of Crowded House is warm and cosy as it gives off the look and feel of a family cottage. The cafe also has a huge outdoor courtyard, making it a wonderful spot to visit on sunny days.
Crowded House, 48 Ferguson St, Williamstown, +61 3 9397 5526
22. Old Man Drew, Ascot Vale
Visit Old Man Drew cafe with your little doggo, where they’ll love the leafy vintage garden out the back. While your pup settles in, you can tuck into mouth watering dishes like a Turkish breakfast with beef sujuk, a banana French toast casserole or a buttermilk fried chicken burger on brioche!
Old Man Drew also hosts high tea every week on Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm in Miss Violets Tea Rooms. For other high tea suggestions, check out our list of the best high tea locations in Melbourne.
Old Man Drew, 359-361 Mount Alexander Road, Ascot Vale, info@oldmandrewcafe.com.au, +61 3 9375 4024
23. Rudimentary, Footscray
Café and community hub Rudimentary was created by architect and owner Des, who took a decrepit car park and fixed up four shipping containers to create a welcoming community space.
The menu provides all-day breakfast options as well as lunch dishes from 11am. For recommendations, I suggest trying one of Des’ favourite dishes, the braised pork belly with crispy pig’s ear, chilli and tamarind and fried eggs; or the sweet red rice pudding with whipped coconut, mango and ginger crumble, which is a sensational dish in my opinion.
Rudimentary is open on weekdays from 7:30am – 3:00pm and on weekends from 8:00am – 3:00pm. Read the full review.
Rudimentary, 16-20 Leeds Street, Footscray, info@rudimentary.com.au, +61 3 8596 6909
Melbourne Dog Friendly Cafes – East
24. The Old Garage, Camberwell
The Old Garage is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee and a healthy meal. Their friendly staff are always on hand to make sure you have everything you need and the best part is that they’re always happy to accommodate kids and your beloved furry family members!
The Old Garage offers food options where you can replace any animal product with an environmentally sustainable and ethical alternative. Their modern menu also features Lebanese classics, all of which are made with the freshest produce.
They also have plenty of options for any furry friends to ensure that there really is something for everyone.
The Old Garage, 2A Glen Iris Road, Camberwell, hello@theoldgarage.com.au, +61 3 9889 2327
25. Friends of Mine, Richmond
Friends of Mine is a cafe dedicated to providing delicious food and amazing coffee in a comfortable environment to all those in Melbourne. Because they believe that brunch is the most important meal of the day, they’ve created a space where you and your friends can gather around to enjoy a refreshing bubbly, some delicious snacks and relax. This dog-friendly cafe in Richmond is open from 7 am-3 pm on weekdays and 7:30 am to 3 pm on weekends.
Friends of Mine, 506 Swan Street, Richmond, +61 3 9428 7516
26. Second Wife, Box Hill
Second Wife is the second venture of owners Semir Elamazi and Reiji Honour and features a healthy, vibrant and all halal menu inspired and influenced by Elamazi’s Middle Eastern background and Honour’s Japanese heritage.
For recommendations try out the okonomiyaki, Moroccan eggs or build your own delicious bowl by selecting base, toppings, sauce and protein.
Second Wife, 8 Wellington Road, Box Hill, +61 3 9973 9481
Mornington Peninsula Dog Friendly Cafes
27. 2 Left Sisters, Mornington
2 Left Sisters is named after, yep you guessed it, the two sisters who started it, and today one of them keeps the doors open at this cosy Watt Road spot. Hidden among Mornington’s industrial streets, it draws a loyal crowd for good coffee and hearty breakfasts. Pull up a chair inside or swing by the drive-through, and bring your pup along, as four-legged friends are made to feel right at home.
2 Left Sisters, 98 Watt Road Mornington, VIC, Australia 3931, +61 3 5916 1133
28. The Winey Cow, Mornington
The Winey Cow is one of the most popular dog-friendly cafes on the Mornington Peninsula. It is a contemporary cafe and events venue serving delicious brunch dishes all day long. Pick something tasty off the menu for yourself, and make sure to let the friendly staff treat your furry friend to a surprise from their dedicated doggo menu.
The Winey Cow, 39A Main Street, Mornington VIC 3931, enquiry@thewineycow.com.au, +61 3 5976 4018
29. Monti Food and Wine, Albert Park
Monti Food and Wine is a women-run, fully licensed neighbourhood cafe. Dogs are welcome in the backyard and at the footpath tables, and they bring out a water bowl for them.
They’re open for breakfast, brunch and lunch, 7am–3pm weekdays and 8am–3pm weekends, and our signature dish is Menemen (Turkish baked eggs). A short walk from Albert Park Lake makes this one an easy stop after a walk.
Monti Food and Wine, 315 Montague Street, Albert Park VIC 3206, 03 9681 4112
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