Saint Martins Cafe

Saint Martins is a neighbourhood brunch cafe on Martin Street, Brighton, the kind of footpath-table spot where you can sit with your dog and watch the street go by. It markets itself as dog-friendly, and it opens early: 6.30am on weekdays, 7am on weekends, trading through to the mid afternoon.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor footpath tables, not inside. Staff are accommodating, but bring your own water bowl. Keep your dog on leash and tucked in close to the table so they are not blocking pedestrians or the service path along the footpath. The front tables suit a settled dog that is happy to lie still while the strip moves around it.

Worth knowing

The kitchen does modern Australian brunch and lunch with quality coffee, and the card leans seasonal: eggs benedict, a pickled mushroom omelet and brioche french toast get regular mentions. It is a friendly, leafy pocket rather than a busy retail strip, which keeps the footpath calmer than the main Brighton drag.

Getting there and parking

Find it at 116 Martin Street, Brighton. Street parking out front and on the surrounding residential streets is limited, so check the signs for time limits. Gardenvale Station is a short walk away, which makes a walk-in visit easy.

Close by with the dogs

The Martin Street strip is good for a post-coffee stroll, and Elsternwick Park, Lakeside Green is the closest designated off-leash option for a proper run. William Street Reserve is another nearby off-leash reserve. Brighton Beach is a short drive away, subject to seasonal rules, with Brighton Beach Dog Off Leash Area marked for off-lead time. If you want a second table, Brighton Soul on the same side of town takes dogs outdoors too.

More in the area

See more dog friendly cafes in VIC or the full guide to Brighton.