Middle Child

Middle Child is a small specialty coffee shop at 327 Maribyrnong Road, Ascot Vale, on the block that runs down towards the Maribyrnong River. It is a walk-up window and street-side seating kind of place, and it is known locally as a dog stop first, with treats for canine visitors and smoothies named after the regulars.

The dog setup

Dogs sit with you at the street-side outdoor seating; the tiny interior stays people-only, which suits its size. The dog-friendly reputation is well earned, dog treats are kept behind the counter, and the roaster's own write-up notes smoothies named after regular canine customers, the Dexter among them. Water bowls usually appear, but bring your own on a hot day rather than counting on it.

Worth knowing

The coffee is roasted by Rumble Coffee Roasters, and the bacon and egg rolls, toasties, croissants and cinnamon scrolls do the food side. It trades mornings only, 7:30am to 1pm on weekdays and 7:30am to 2pm on weekends, so it is a breakfast stop, not an all-day one.

Getting there and parking

The 57 tram runs along Maribyrnong Road and stops close by. Street parking on Maribyrnong Road and the side streets is doable but tightens up on weekend mornings.

Close by with the dogs

Fairbairn Park Dog Off Leash Area is a short walk down towards the river for a proper run, and the Maribyrnong River loop starts from the same stretch. Jimmy's Tap & Barrel on Union Road covers the afternoon leg with the dog beside you.

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

Pepsi: get the takeaway, walk the river trail, loop back past the Fairbairn Park ovals, and the Dexter smoothie tastes earned.