Tru Coffee Balwyn

Tru Coffee Balwyn opens at 5:30am on weekdays and 7am on weekends, which makes it one of the earlier coffee stops in the eastern suburbs and a natural first halt on a morning dog walk. The address is 1058 Burke Road, and the drawcard for dog owners is the leafy courtyard at the rear, which is reached straight from the car park. The cafe is part of a small family that includes TRU Coffee Footscray and Fat Penguin in Kew East.

The dog setup

Well-behaved dogs on lead are welcome in the rear courtyard, but not in the main indoor dining room, so head straight for the outdoor entrance. Staff are used to four-legged guests and there is a genuine dog menu line: packs of assorted dog treats for $4, listed alongside the pastries. Ask for a water bowl rather than assuming one is already out, and note the courtyard can fill fast at weekend brunch, so a weekday or an early start secures a table.

The vibe

Bright, all-day brunch fare with a strong regular crowd: shakshuka, a haloumi stack, eggs benedict, breakfast bowls and toasted sandwiches, plus fresh juices, iced strawberry matcha and locally roasted coffee. Reviewers single out the friendly baristas and the early hours as the reason the place is busy by 6:30am.

Getting there and parking

The rear car park is the practical option, dropping you at the courtyard door instead of hunting for a spot on busy Burke Road. Tram route 72 runs along Burke Road if you are coming without a car, and the surrounding Balwyn streets are leafy and quiet for the leash leg of the walk.

Close by with the dogs

The King Street Dog Off Leash Area is a short drive away for an off-lead run, and the Gordon Barnard Reserve fenced dog play area in Balwyn North offers fully enclosed, double-gated play open around the clock. More dog friendly cafes are listed across VIC and around Balwyn.

Max: a $4 treat pack with my flat white. Tru gets it.