Las Chicas

Las Chicas is a busy neighbourhood cafe at 203 Carlisle Street in Balaclava, popular for its coffee and all-day brunch, and dogs are welcome at the footpath tables out front. It is a natural coffee stop on a Carlisle Street walk, near the Balaclava Station end of the strip.

The dog setup

Dogs sit with you at the outdoor footpath tables at the front; the interior is for humans only. Staff are used to dogs and will often bring out a water bowl, but it is worth carrying your own given how busy the strip gets. Keep your dog on a short lead, because foot traffic on Carlisle Street is heavy at peak times and the tables sit right on the pavement.

The vibe and the menu

This is a casual, rustic-styled local staple with strong coffee and a full breakfast and lunch menu, including good vegetarian options, Moroccan baked eggs and chilli scrambled eggs. Hours are 7am to 3pm weekdays and 8am to 3pm weekends. Go early on weekends before the footpath tables fill, and expect a bustling room inside if you peek past the counter.

Getting there and parking

The cafe is an easy walk from Balaclava Station on the Sandringham line and is served by the route 16 tram, which is handy if you are leaving the car behind. Street parking exists on Carlisle Street and the side streets but fills fast, mostly with two-hour limits, so check the signs. For a proper run after coffee, the off-lead area at Caulfield Park and St Kilda Beach are both a short drive away, and Miss Matt is the other cafe option on the same strip.

More dog-friendly venues around the suburb are on the Balaclava destination page, with the state list in the VIC cafes index.