Rubber Duck Cafe

The setup. Rubber Duck sits in the old Normandy Hotel on Queens Parade, and it is a genuinely easy place to bring a dog. There is comfortable footpath and outdoor seating where dogs settle happily, and staff are known to be relaxed about well-behaved dogs on a short leash. Tie up in the shade, ask for a water bowl, and you are sorted.

What it is known for. Melbourne-style coffee that rates well, plus a solid breakfast and brunch list - the corn fritters and hearty morning plates get the most mentions. Weekdays are calmer; Saturdays are the crush, so an early start is your friend if you want an outside table with room for the dog.

Getting there. It is on Queens Parade with tram routes running past the door, so you can leave the car at home. Free street parking exists nearby but turns over slowly on weekends.

Make a morning of it. The cafe is walkable to Quarries Park and the Merri Creek Trail, so you can run the dog first and reward yourself with coffee after. Come mid-morning on a weekday for the smoothest run at a footpath table.

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.