The Farm Cafe

The Farm Cafe sits inside the Collingwood Children's Farm at 18 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, a working farm on the banks of the Yarra a few minutes from the city. Rustic country-style cooking, open paddocks around you, and a dog policy that extends beyond the cafe: dogs on lead are welcome across the farm grounds, not just at the tables.

The dog setup

Dogs join you in the outdoor alfresco seating, on a physical lead at all times, and water bowls are provided. Because the whole site is a working farm with livestock, there are hard lines: no dogs in the animal paddocks, barns or near the enclosures. Keep your dog close and calm around the pens and you are fine. Indoor seating is people only.

Worth knowing

Scones, sausage rolls and milkshakes carry the menu's reputation, and the setting does the rest, greenery and farm animals at a slower pace than the surrounding inner north. The cafe opens 8:45am to 3:30pm on weekdays and 9am to 4pm on weekends. Note the farm can charge entry on some days, so it may be more than a cheap coffee run, and weekend mornings are the busiest stretch for tables.

Getting there and parking

St Heliers Street parking is limited, with overflow usually available near the neighbouring Abbotsford Convent. The easiest arrival is on foot or by bike along the Main Yarra Trail, which runs right past the farm.

Close by with the dogs

The Abbotsford Convent grounds next door suit an easy on-lead wander between courses. Victoria Park Fenced Dog Off Leash Area is a short drive north for proper off-lead time, and Flockhart Reserve covers the same job closer to the freeway side of the suburb.

More options are on the Victoria dog friendly cafes guide and the Abbotsford destination page.

Max: clip the lead short before you pass the goat pens. The rule about staying out of the paddocks is enforced, and a dog eyeing livestock is a quick way to be asked to leave.