Early Bird Baristas

Early Bird Baristas is a family-owned drive-thru coffee stop at 41 Geelong Road on the main strip through Bannockburn, relied on by locals, commuters and passing motorcyclists. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating and garden area, which makes it an easy pull-in if you are travelling the Geelong Road with a dog in the car.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating out front, including the garden space away from the lane. It is casual rather than a fenced courtyard, so keep the lead short near the drive-thru traffic and passing motorbikes. Staff are known for handing out complimentary dog treats at the window, and water bowls usually appear if you ask.

Worth knowing

The coffee is the drawcard, backed by hot chocolates, smoothies, toasties and oversized homemade baking, the hedgehog slices and sausage rolls in particular. Hours start early, 5am weekdays, 6am Saturday and 7am Sunday, closing from mid afternoon, which is exactly why the commuter crowd keeps it busy. It is a quick-stop coffee window rather than a sit-down cafe, so plan a short break rather than a long one.

Getting there and parking

The venue sits right on Geelong Road through Bannockburn in Golden Plains Shire, with free onsite parking and the drive-thru lane running alongside. Easy in and out whether you are heading towards Geelong or Ballarat.

Pair it with

Bannockburn's streets and the surrounding farmland suit a short lead walk before you get back on the road, and Eldorado Tourist and Residential Park at nearby Batesford takes dogs if you are staying overnight in the area rather than passing through.

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

Max: order at the drive-thru, then park and take the coffee to the garden tables. The treat at the window is real and the staff offer it before you ask.