96 Cafe & Eatery

96 Cafe & Eatery occupies a corner of South Parade in Blackburn with a following that goes well beyond the suburb, and it is one of the few eastern Melbourne cafes that has built the dog experience into the layout rather than leaving it to the footpath. The rear outdoor courtyard is the dog zone, and it comes with a dedicated doggie corner plus puppicinos on the menu. Inside stays people only, which keeps the indoor tables moving on busy mornings.

The dog setup

Head through to the back courtyard and pick a table near the doggie corner, where water and the puppicino service give your dog something to do while your order lands. The courtyard format means your dog can relax off the footpath traffic, though a lead stays sensible while staff move through with plates. Weekend service starts at 8am, weekdays at 7am, and the courtyard fills early on Saturdays so a mid morning weekday visit is the easiest with a dog.

The kitchen goes further than standard cafe fare. Ramen and dumplings share the menu with a wagyu burger and a chilli scramble, the coffee program takes latte art seriously, and the matcha is good enough to order on its own. Custom coffee art has become part of the draw, and the team generally turns requests around without fuss.

While you're out there

Blackburn is generous with dog walks. After breakfast, point your dog toward the circuit around Blackburn Lake Sanctuary, the most popular on lead loop in the suburb, or take the flatter line along the Gardiners Creek Trail if you want a longer stretch. For a second coffee closer to the village shops, Aunt Billies Cafe is an easy walk back through town.

Parking is on South Parade and the surrounding residential streets, with the easiest spots near the South Road end early in the day. The Blackburn destination page lists the suburb's dog friendly lineup, and the Victorian cafes guide covers more of the east if you are planning a bigger loop.