Spizzico Gourmet Deli & Cafe

Spizzico Gourmet Deli & Cafe is a family-run Italian deli at Burwood Heights Shopping Centre, shop 11 at 2-8 Burwood Highway in Burwood East. It opens 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 3pm Saturday (closed Sunday), and it does double duty as a proper deli counter and a cafe doing panini, milk shakes and hot coffee.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables in the paved alfresco area outside the shopfront, with the cafe interior off limits under the usual food rules. It is a compact strip of seating in the shopping centre walkway rather than a big courtyard, so it suits a settled dog that will lie at your feet while you eat. Leashed dogs only, and bring your own water bowl since a dedicated pet bowl is not something you can count on here.

Pepsi: order the panini, keep the leash clipped to the table leg, and accept that everyone leaving the deli will want to say hello.

The vibe

The draw is the deli itself: cheeses, cured meats and homemade food, with reviewers rating it strongly for value. It is a working shopping-centre cafe, so expect prams and regulars rather than a destination brunch scene.

Getting there and parking

The centre is on Burwood Highway with free parking in the shopping centre car park, and the route 75 tram plus local buses stop along the highway. Access is flat and easy for older dogs.

While you're out there

Turn the visit into a walk at Holland Gully Dog Off Leash Area, the closest proper run for a dog in Burwood East, or head a few minutes west to Gardiners Creek Reserve Dog Off Leash Area for a longer circuit. The dog-friendly precinct at Burwood Brickworks is also close by for a second stop.

More options are in the Victoria dog friendly cafes guide and on the Burwood East destination page.