The Green Olive

The Green Olive tucks itself down Bath Lane in the middle of Bendigo, a laneway cafe that most people walk straight past until someone points it out. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables, and the lane setting keeps things calm enough that even a slightly anxious dog can settle. It is an easy add-on to any walk that loops through Rosalind Park and the city centre.

The dog setup

Dogs join you at the alfresco tables along Bath Lane, on lead and close to the chair. Indoors stays humans-only under Victoria's food safety rules, so in cooler weather rug up or take the table with the most shelter. Staff have an easygoing reputation with dogs, but do not count on a communal water bowl; bringing your own collapsible one is the safer bet, especially on a hot Bendigo afternoon.

Worth knowing

The kitchen is the reason people come back: poached eggs, chilli eggs and smashed avocado on proper sourdough, with a well-regarded gluten-free list and pancakes for the sweet tooth. Coffee is specialty-grade and the staff are the type regulars mention by name. Hours run long for a cafe, opening at 6am on weekdays and trading into the evening Wednesday to Sunday, so it covers early walkers and late breakfasts alike.

Getting there and parking

The address is 11 Bath Lane, Bendigo (3550), a lane off the city centre grid a short walk from Rosalind Park. There is limited off-street parking behind the venue plus metered street parking nearby; on weekends the surrounding blocks are quieter than the main street frontages.

Close by with the dogs

Rosalind Park is an easy on-lead stroll for a pre-coffee lap, and Harcourt Dog Park gives your dog a proper off-lead run a short drive east. For other dog-friendly feeds in town, The Golden Bean, Bendigo Tram Cafe and PEGGYS CAFE all welcome dogs at their outdoor tables.

Browse more dog friendly cafes in VIC at pawscapes.com.au/cafes/state/vic and build the rest of the trip around Bendigo.