PEGGYS CAFE

Peggys Cafe is a home-style cafe at 38 King Street in Bendigo, a block off the Mitchell Street bustle, doing fresh focaccias, toasties and pastries with proper coffee and a solid tea selection. The team runs a drive-through coffee pickup from 7am to 9am on weekdays, and they have also opened a second counter in the Bendigo Airport departures lounge. Regulars keep coming back for the welcoming service and the chicken focaccia.

The dog setup

The cafe's business listing notes dogs are welcome both inside and outside, which is rarer than the usual footpath-only arrangement and makes Peggys a useful wet-weather option. Treat indoor access as a check-first courtesy: the footpath seating always works, and a well-mannered dog that settles quietly is what earns repeat indoor invites. Bring your own water bowl.

Pepsi: a calm cafe that suits a polite dog. King Street is quieter than the main strip, so there is less foot traffic to work through.

Getting there and parking

King Street is known for easy free street parking, and the cafe is wheelchair accessible. Hours run 7am to 3pm weekdays and 8am starts on weekends, closing 2pm Sunday. Rosalind Park is close by for an on-lead walk before or after, and Lake Weeroona is a short drive on for a longer scenic loop around the water.

Make a day of it

For an off-lead run, Harcourt Dog Park in Strathdale is one of Bendigo's dedicated dog parks, and Allingham Reserve Dog Park covers the Kangaroo Flat side. Other coffee options in town include The Green Olive and The Golden Bean. More options are on the Victoria dog friendly cafes guide and the Bendigo destination page.