The CNR

The CNR is a corner cafe at 467 Beach Road, Beaumaris, sitting directly across from the Port Phillip Bay foreshore. That position makes it a natural start, midpoint or finish for a coastal walk, and dogs are welcome at the footpath and outdoor tables with the water in view.

The dog setup

Dogs on lead take the outdoor and footpath seating, and the cafe has a habit of putting out fresh water bowls and the occasional treat for visiting dogs, so your dog gets noticed rather than tolerated. Keep the lead short while trays are moving, and bring your own travel bowl as a back-up on busy mornings.

The vibe

The food is deliberately simple: an assortment of focaccias and toasties, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options most days, plus fresh pastries and croissants in the cabinet. The coffee list runs the full set from short macchiato to flat white, with smoothies and teas alongside. According to the cafe's own site the hours are 7am to 2:30pm on weekdays and 8am to 2:30pm on weekends, seven days, so it is a breakfast-through-lunch stop rather than an afternoon one.

Getting there and parking

Street parking runs along Beach Road but fills early on sunny weekend mornings, so an early arrival pays if you want a foreshore-side table. Buses run along Beach Road, and Sandringham and Mentone stations are both a manageable walk away for anyone coming by train.

Close by with the dogs

The Beaumaris foreshore is directly across the road, with the Ricketts Point Dog Off Leash Area at the southern end for proper off-lead time around the tide line. Back in the same strip, Ginger Fox Cafe and Chino & Co are other Beaumaris cafes that take dogs.

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