Maggie & Kate

Maggie and Kate bakes and brews on Warrenheip Street in Buninyong, opening at 6:30am on weekdays for the coffee crowd and 7:30am on weekends. The strip outside is wide enough for leads to sit flat without blocking the footpath. It appears in Visit Ballarat's dog friendly guide, which notes house made dog biscuits, and visitors report the outdoor seating as the spot where dogs settle in.

The dog setup

The outdoor tables along Warrenheip Street are where dogs are welcome, per the Visit Ballarat dog friendly guide and reports from visitors, and the house made dog biscuits are the detail that sets it apart. Ask at the counter when you order. Footpath seating means leads stay short and dogs stay clear of the door swing on busy weekend mornings. Water for dogs is not mentioned in the guide, so bring a bowl to be safe.

While you're out there

The cabinet leans sweet: caramel slice, vanilla slice and muffins alongside sausage rolls for the savoury run, and the hot chocolate has its own following. Weekend service runs 7:30am to 1pm, weekdays 6:30am to 2pm, so plan a morning visit rather than an afternoon one. The morning rush is local and loyal, and weekends fill the footpath tables early, so a weekday visit after the 7am wave is the relaxed option.

Buninyong's dog park is minutes away: the Buninyong Fenced Dog Park at James Reserve gives dogs a proper off lead run before or after breakfast, and the Mt Buninyong Crater Walk covers the longer haul for energetic dogs.

For lunch or dinner after coffee, The Buninyong Hotel is walking distance up the street, and the Buninyong destination guide ties the town's options together. Our dog friendly cafes in Victoria list extends the search toward Ballarat.