Paws, Lattes & Laneways: Melbourne's Best Dog-Friendly Cafés in 2025
Melbourne folk don't leave the hound at home — we sling a lead over one shoulder, a keep-cup over the other, and hit our ridiculously good café scene together. From Brunswick warehouses pouring competition-grade espresso to breezy bayside pavilions handing out puppy-cinos, here's the local short-list of places where both humans and hounds are genuinely welcome.
Bellboy Café, Brunswick East
Bellboy Café at East Brunswick Village's sunny terrace has its own "check-in" kennel for canine guests, plus free puppuccinos while you hoe into house-roasted beans and a schmick NYC-style bagel. Free parking out front makes it a Saturday-morning no-brainer.The Old Garage, Camberwell
Once a servo, now a sprawling brunch spot covered in framed pup portraits. Nab a shady table at The Old Garage, order the plant-based sweet-corn waffles for you and a chicken-stock puppy-cino for the four-legged mate — there's a full dog menu here.
ONA Coffee, Brunswick
ONA Coffee's converted warehouse, world-champ baristas, a timber deck drenched in northern-suburbs sunshine, and water bowls dotting every post. Grab a filter flight, then wander over to nearby Gilpin Park for walkies.Convoy, Moonee Ponds
Across from Queens Park, Convoy's wrap-around deck means pups can sprawl under your chair while you demolish a prawn roll and batch-brew. Regulars swear by the dog-loving staff who'll top up water bowls before you ask.
Vincent the Dog, Carlton
Espresso-obsessed and aptly named, this Drummond Street favourite boasts a leafy, fenced courtyard, perfect for post-Uni-loop strolls. Try the lemon-curd waffles; your pup scores a treat on the house.
Doghouse Dog Café, Collingwood
Melbourne's original dedicated dog café, Doghouse comes with gated play-pens, a legit dog menu (think turkey "muffins" and brisket bones) and birthday-party packages. Humans get solid coffee and toasties while the pooches socialise.
Paw's Up Café, Balwyn
Part café, part groomer, part dog-boutique. Order your labradoodle a "Paws-up-accino" at Paw's Up and meatball bowl while you tuck into shakshuka. Handy pit-stop after a Yarra Trail walk.
West Beach Bathers Pavilion, St Kilda West
Beach + beans = bliss. Sit toes-in-sand at West Beach Bathers while staff whip up puppy-cinos and St Ali brews. Early morning, you'll find a who's-who of local greyhounds trotting past.
The Farm Café, Abbotsford
Hidden inside Collingwood Children's Farm, this alfresco spot means sheep bleats in one ear, birdsong in the other. Perfect for pups that love acreage vibes after inner-city confinement.
Arcadia, Fitzroy
Gertrude Street stalwart with water bowls, free dog treats, and chilli-folded eggs that slap. Snag an outside perch, watch the Fitzroy fashion parade stroll by, and let the mutt soak up pats from passers-by.Tips for First-Time Pup-Café Goers
- Pack a lead & mat – even dog-mad cafés appreciate calm, tethered pups between tables.
- Walk first, coffee after – a pre-brunch stroll around Princes Park or the Merri Creek helps burn zoomies.
- Ask before feeding – some dogs have allergies; always check with other owners before sharing treats.
- Weekday wins – Melbourne brunch queues are shorter mid-week, making outdoor seats (and shade) easier to snag.
Whether you're north-side, bayside or somewhere in between, there's a spot above where tails will wag as hard as your espresso is strong. For more caffeine intel — single-origin heatmaps, bean subscriptions, brew-guides and hundreds of curated café listings worldwide — fetch our AI-powered directory at www.coffeeee-ai.com. See you and the pupper curb-side!