With dogs as your best friend, it's natural that you would want them to accompany you on weekend brunch ventures.
Thus, it has become a requirement to check how dog friendly places are before heading there, to make sure our canine friend can enjoy the day too.
Here's a few good ones that I've come across below:
1.
Crowded House: 48 Ferguson St, Williamstown
Located in Wiliamstown, this cafe was a nice choice to take our golden retriever pal to before we took him to
Altona Dog Beach.
Backyard seating
There was normal cafe seating indoors but we were instructed to enter from a door at the back, revealing a lovely outdoor area covered in autumn leaves at the time.
Autumn menu with our canine friend
There was a water bowl for dogs so he enjoyed the sunshine as he lay in the corner. The cafe seemed to be especially popular for a weekend brunch stop.
2.
Pony Cafe: Back of the Artplay Bldg, Princes Walk in Birrarung Marr Park
The cafe has only been up for a few months but it has been especially popular with families.
The relaxing hill next to Pony
Located along Birrarung Marr, near the Yarra River, there were many families out to play with a stunning green hill right next to the cafe. They serve small bites such as porridge and toasties, and of course, coffee.
Pony's outdoor area
It is also located next to Artplay, an art centre for children, thus there were many rocks for climbing and also a playground that all the kids seemed to enjoy.
Meanwhile, there was a waterbowl for dogs near the counter and our golden retriever,
Amicus, received many a pat from the excited children.
3.
Two Beans and a Farm:
10 Hathfelde Boulevard, Mernda
A gem that lies in the northern suburbs, Two Beans and a Farm, demonstrates a unique location and offering.
Verandah seating
A homestead, surprisingly just behind a residential area in Mernda, provides green fields and outdoor seating and serves everything from high tea to European dinners.
Our golden retriever happy to roam on this farm or sit quietly on the side!
With hills in the distance, this would be great on a sunny day. As you explore the grounds you will also see some chickens, two of the farm dogs that Amicus greeted and a community garden.
4.
Collingwood Children's Farm Cafe:
18 St Heliers St, Abbotsford
It seems a lot of dog friendly places are also family friendly, and Collingwood Farm Cafe was no exception.
The Farm Entrance
There is a shared pathway along the side of farm as cyclists buzz along, fit people jog by and others walk their dog. Some of them pop into the farm cafe, but a warning - it's always very busy and there will be a wait.
The shared path along the farm
Despite this, I saw many people enjoying their coffee and brunch with families but there did seem to be a long wait for food.
Outdoor decor
It's a lovely space, but perhaps it would be less busy during the week than on weekends.
Grub Street Food Van: 87-89 Moor St
This is as funky as you will get, a food van serving on a street just off Brunswick St complete with outdoor fridge and table tennis tables.
Outdoor seating at Grub Food Van
This place is just calling out for you to bring your dog, with a little dog house at the front and many dogs lying underneath their owners' tables outside.
Table tennis indoors
They serve some excellent brunch dishes and also dinner, in addition to addictive coffee and refreshing drinks such as a blood orange and mint lemonade.
A little doggy spotted near the table tennis entry
We also spotted this little fellow at the entrance of the indoor area and immediately regretted not bringing Amicus, the golden retriever!
Evidently, there is not a shortage of places to bring your dog, and with summer approaching soon there's no excuse to leave them at home!
