The Colonel's Son

The Colonel's Son is a busy bayside brunch cafe at 299 Beach Road in Black Rock, directly opposite the beach crossing and a natural stop mid-walk. It is a genuine dog-friendly local, with a covered courtyard out the back that works year-round, and it opens daily from 7am.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the footpath tables out front and, better still, in the enclosed, shaded courtyard at the rear, which stays comfortable in both summer and winter. The easiest approach with a dog is through the back car park straight into the courtyard, skipping the busy front path entirely. Water bowls are usually provided, but bring your own to be safe. Dogs stay in the outdoor and courtyard areas rather than inside.

The vibe

Beach-house casual with bay views from the front, and a menu that goes beyond the usual brunch defaults: dukkah eggs, chilli scrambled eggs, corn fritters and ricotta pancakes are the signatures, and the croissants and coffee are what regulars come back for. Weekends are busy, so expect a wait for the courtyard at peak brunch hours; weekday mornings are quieter and pair well with a walk first.

Getting there and parking

Beachside parking sits across Beach Road and gets busy on fine weekends; the rear car park is more convenient with a dog and feeds straight into the courtyard. Black Rock station is a short walk inland if you are coming by train.

While you're out there

The sand is directly opposite: Black Rock Beach Dog Off Leash Area and Half Moon Bay both give dogs a run before breakfast, and the Black Rock to Hampton walk passes the door. If the courtyard is full, Brighton Jetty Bakery and Sandy Kiosk are the fallbacks either way along the bay.

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