Melbourne has long been recognised as home to some of the best brunches in Australia, so it doesn’t seem right that four-legged friends should have to miss out on the fun. Luckily for the pooch-loving population, there’s a new trend taking over the city’s cafe scene, and it comes in the form of fur-friendly cafes! Since there’s nothing we love more than pup-friendly playdates, here are Pooky & Boo’s top picks for the best dog-friendly cafes in Melbourne.

The Stables of Como, South Yarra

Located in the stylish suburb of South Yarra, The Stables of Como is the perfect inner-city refuge for owners and pooches seeking a luxurious break from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne’s CBD. Renowned for more than just its fancy foods, the cafe is situated in the former stables building at the heritage listed Como House, and boasts plenty of architectural charm for visitors with an eye for interiors. Whilst the venue offers a range of delicious treats for human patrons (gourmet picnic hampers and high teas included), it’s their canine offerings that attract the attention of Melbourne’s furrier population. Whilst furry friends are more than welcome to enjoy a picnic date in the venue’s stunning gardens, the cafe is always looking for new ways to treat their four-legged guests, with their most recent initiative, ‘Bone Appetit’, offering pooches a complimentary bag of nutritious treats to take away from their visit.

Doghouse Australia, Collingwood

As Melbourne’s first dedicated dog café, pups are guaranteed to be the top priority at Doghouse in Collingwood. The human-friendly dog café boasts an extensive range of delectable delights for furry friends, from dog-friendly muffins to pup-corn and everything in between. The café even doubles up as a barkday venue for any pups celebrating a special occasion. And don’t worry, whilst the doggos are busy woofing down their signature dogachino, fur-parents will be catered to with a caffeine fix of their own!

Lux Foundry, Brunswick

Uniquely located in a converted warehouse, the Lux Foundry in Brunswick is home to more than just fabulous industrial interiors. A well-known spot amongst Melbourne’s brunch addicts, the venue boasts a mouth-watering menu that includes everything from strawberries and waffles to a middle eastern breakfast spread. Whilst their extensive food options leave nothing wanting amongst guests of the human variety, the cafe’s outdoor courtyard is the paw-fect spot to soak up some sun with your pooch in the summer months. Pats and good times guaranteed!

Rudimentary, Footscray

Situated on what was once an unused lot of land in Footscray, Rudimentary is another unique addition to Melbourne’s stylish repertoire of dog-friendly cafés. The venue is uniquely fashioned out of three refurbished shipping containers, with its statement design inspired by the cafe’s commitment to sustainability. An on-site garden, composting facilities and rainwater capture are just a few of the features underpinning the venue’s eco-chic approach to mid-morning dining, but just as big as the cafe’s passion for sustainability is their passion for pooches! They’ve even created a dedicated Instagram page to pay homage to visiting hounds (@dogsofrudimentary).

Priscilla Jones, Albert Park

Housed in the grounds of the beautiful Gasworks Arts Park, Priscilla Jones has long established itself as a popular spot amongst the pups and fur-parents of Melbourne. With a dedicated doggie treats menu, puppycinos and a large off-leash area that leads onto a park, there’s plenty to keep your pooch occupied whilst you enjoy one of the cafe’s tasty treats (we hear their lamingtons are top dollar). If you’re looking to turn your doggie brunch date into more of a dog’s day out, Gasworks host a Farmer’s Market on the third Saturday of every month so you can enjoy a spot of browsing before your brekkie date.

Pooky & Boo homewares for pooch

At Pooky & Boo, we love seeing local communities embrace their love for pooches. Afterall, that’s what inspired our own pup-loving venture back in 2017. Designed with both our passion for interiors and a love for furry friends in mind, we created a unique range of pet homewares for the interior-loving owner and their style-savvy pooch.

Visit the Pooky & Boo website to view our latest range of handcrafted Australian dog beds.

Doggie dining: top dog-friendly cafés in Melbourne