Xpose Cafe

Xpose Cafe is a cosy, rustic corner spot at 769 Glenhuntly Road, Caulfield South, and it has one of the better dog arrangements in the area: dogs are welcome at the front outdoor seating and in the sunnier rear courtyard behind the dining room. Two outdoor options in one venue is rare on this strip, and the kitchen has kept locals loyal for years.

The dog setup

Dogs settle either at the tables out front on Glenhuntly Road or in the quieter courtyard out back, which is the pick if your dog prefers less foot traffic. Staff put out water bowls and are known to make a fuss of visiting dogs. There is no published pet policy, so a quick word with staff on arrival is wise if you have a large dog or the courtyard is busy.

The food

The menu runs the cafe classics done well: smashed avo, corn fritters, eggs benedict and smoked salmon focaccia, with a double X burger and a Baileys-soaked French toast as the indulgent outliers. Service gets repeated praise for being friendly and attentive, which is half the reason the regulars keep their usual tables.

Getting there and hours

The cafe sits on the Glenhuntly Road tram line, with free street parking along the road and the side streets. It opens 6:30am weekdays to 5pm and 7:30am Saturdays to 3:30pm, closing Sundays, so weekday breakfast is the easiest bet for a quiet courtyard table with the dog.

While you're out there

Princes Park is close by for an on-lead wander or a run in the off-leash areas, and a pet shop a few doors down the strip is handy for treats before or after your coffee. For more dog-friendly coffee nearby, Mr Brightside Cafe is a few blocks along, and SONIC BEAN & C0 sits at the Caulfield end. The local list is on the Caulfield destination page, with the wider area in the Victoria cafes index.

Weekday mornings are the quiet window. Between the front strip and the courtyard, it is one of the more flexible dog setups in Glen Eira.