Mr Brightside Cafe

Mr Brightside Cafe is a rustic-chic neighbourhood spot on Booran Road in Caulfield South, popular for its specialty coffee and modern Australian brunch menu. Dogs are welcome at the footpath tables out front, which makes it a straightforward coffee stop on a suburb walk rather than a destination in itself.

The dog setup

Dogs are permitted at the outdoor footpath seating only: the indoor dining room is dogs-off, as with most kitchens. Bring your own water bowl rather than counting on one being offered, and note the footpath tables are open to the weather. Hours run 7am to 3.30pm weekdays and 7.30am to 4pm weekends.

Pepsi: footpath table, leash clipped to the chair, and the morning rush passes by at nose height. Good people-watching.

The vibe

The kitchen is known for poached eggs, hashbrowns and french toast, with gluten-free options and proper scones on the counter. Coffee gets steady mentions from regulars, and the counter cabinet does a line in sweet things if you are keeping it short. It draws a reliable local crowd, so the front tables move quickly on weekend mornings; mid-morning weekdays are the easier window if you want to settle in with the dog rather than hover for a table.

Getting there and parking

The cafe sits on Booran Road south of North Road, with street parking on Booran Road and the surrounding residential streets. Several bus routes run along North Road nearby if you are walking in from further afield.

Close by with the dogs

Pair breakfast with off-lead time at Princes Park in Caulfield South, or the fenced run at Pawfield Park Fenced Dog Park in Caulfield East. If the front tables are full, Fress Cafe is close by.

More options are on the Victoria cafes list or in the Caulfield South guide.