Good Food Guide 2022: 10 of Melbourne's best dog-friendly venues

The Commons at Ormond Collective

There's puppy parking at The Commons (formerly Belgian Beer Cafe Bluestone), complete with doggie day beds in the venue's signature green palette, water bowls and a canine menu. Pawrents won't venture too far thanks to a gorgeous outdoor area decked out with cane furniture, cushions and whimsy garden props. Dogs are even welcome to lap up puppacinos undercover in the Conservatory Cafe.

557 St Kilda Road, Melbourne ormondcollective.net.au

Lickety Split

Open for both walk-ins and walkies, this outdoor container bar has an undercover patio and umbrella-shielded tables on faux grass. It's strung with festoon lights and is so dog friendly it's part of a local puppy pub-crawl. Ask about their "puppy bowls" and "pugronis", and don't forget to use the #dogsoflicketysplit hashtag.

38/40 Moreland Street, Footscray licketysplitmelbourne.com.au

The Great Northern's dog Instagram offshoot has twice as many followers as the actual venue (more than 6000, see @dogs_of_gnh). That's because the sizeable beer garden here is locally iconic for being dog inclusive. Merch is printed with its signature sunglasses-wearing pooch, and there's even a branded lead for your best friend with an attached bottle opener.

644 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North gnh.net.au

Vincent the Dog

Sip Code Black coffee, house-brewed kombucha and order the Dog's Breakfast (poached eggs with avocado, smoked salmon and feta) in this cafe's small, sheltered courtyard. Pups are not just welcome but encouraged, and if you don't have one, resident pooch Ruby will likely be on hand for your patting pleasure.

348 Drummond Street, Carlton vincentthedog.cafe

Ciao Cucina

At the rear of the 1860s heritage courthouse that houses Ciao Cielo is its more casual sibling, Ciao Cucina. It adjoins a huge courtyard down the side of the building, where dogs are welcome as humans eat wood-fired pizzas and oxtail ragu on saffron casarecce. In cooler months, the courtyard is covered with a heated, transparent marquee strung with plants and fairy lights.

115 Bay Street, Port Melbourne ciaocielo.com.au

The Stables of Como

There's no better place for a garden party than this cafe, formerly the horse stables at the 160-year-old Como property. Bring your furry friend while you sit down to brunch, lunch or high tea made with local produce, or pre-order a champagne picnic to enjoy anywhere throughout the manicured gardens (they'll lend you a rug, too).

Corner Williams Road & Lechlade Avenue, South Yarra thestablesofcomo.com.au

Jamsheed Wines

Dogs might not be able to get in among the action in the main dining and winemaking hall of this urban winery, but they're welcome in the dive bar, complete with pool table and comfy couches, as well as in the courtyard, which is warmed by fires in winter. The fizzy pink Candy Flip pet-nat is a favourite among those with two legs.

4 Albert Street, Preston jamsheed.com.au

Brighton Schoolhouse

The massive outdoor dining area of this converted 1843 schoolhouse makes it perfect for both fur-babies and real babies. Parents can watch their kids on the adjacent playground from where they sit, while pawrents can eat poached eggs and hollandaise in bao buns while sneaking bits of pulled pork shoulder to spoilt pups.

15 St Andrews Street, Brighton brightonsh.com.au

Dr Morse Bar & Eatery

From morning cold brew coffees through to evening cocktails, dogs are welcome anytime at Dr Morse. Sit either at street-side tables beside Victoria Park Station or out the back in the heated courtyard and beer garden. Be warned: barbecue and spit-roasted specials are cooked en plein air and will make both humans and dogs salivate.

274 Johnston Street, Abbotsford drmorse.com.au

Little Hop

Tequila and tacos abound at this colourful spot. For humans, the de carne taco sees twice-cooked beef with chipotle salsa and green tomatillo served to the sound of vinyl. For dogs, their owners can ask nicely for a pet-friendly version (beef and tortilla without the trimmings) when sitting outdoors at one of a handful of tables on Brunswick Street.

277 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy facebook.com/LittleHoppita