Aunt Billies Cafe

Aunt Billie's is a busy Surrey Road brunch spot in Blackburn with a covered, heated outdoor area that stays comfortable for dogs whatever the Melbourne weather is doing. With more than a thousand reviews behind it, it is one of the east's established brunch destinations, and dogs are part of the regular crowd.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating, a glasshouse-style space that is covered and heated, so a wet or cold morning will not cut the visit short. Water bowls are provided and staff have a warm reputation with four-legged visitors. Keep dogs leashed and settled, since the courtyard fills up on weekends and the tables sit close together.

Worth knowing

The menu goes beyond standard brunch fare: beef ribs benedict, shakshuka, prawn tacos and a seafood risotto have all made names for themselves, with lamb shoulder and strong house-baked goods rounding it out. Hours are 7am to 3:30pm weekdays and 8am to 3:30pm weekends. Weekday mornings are the quiet tables; weekends get busy fast, and the coffee bar runs a little later than the kitchen, which is worth knowing if you are arriving mid-afternoon for the dog's social calendar rather than the food.

Getting there and parking

The cafe sits at 184 Surrey Road, with street parking along Surrey Road and the side streets, and it is a short walk from Blackburn Station if you would rather leave the car. For the post-brunch leg stretch, the Blackburn Lake Sanctuary trails are a short drive away, with the Whitehorse Heritage Trail and the Gardiners Creek Trail offering longer on-lead walking options.

More of the area's dog-friendly venues are on the Blackburn destination page, with the full list in the VIC cafes index.