Caffe Piccolino

Caffe Piccolino is a small, long-running cafe hidden in an alleyway off Doncaster Road, near the Westfield Doncaster end of the strip. It is a quick-bite local institution rather than a destination brunch, and the handful of outdoor tables in the alley welcome dogs.

The dog setup

Dogs are fine at the outdoor tables in the alley; indoor seating is for diners. Space is genuinely tight, so this suits a small or settled dog rather than a big one wanting room to sprawl. Bring your own water bowl, as the cafe is compact and a dog bowl is not guaranteed. Look for the red umbrella out in the alley: that is the sign they are open.

Worth knowing

The draw is reliable local coffee and straightforward cafe food: fresh sandwiches, toasties and pastries at honest prices. Hours are weekday-only, 7:30am to 2:30pm, closed weekends, so this is an office-hours coffee, not a Saturday plan.

Getting there and parking

The entrance sits at the back of an alleyway off Doncaster Road, easy to miss the first time. Parking is limited behind the retail strip plus on-street bays on Doncaster Road and the side streets; check the signs, as it is a busy main road.

Close by with the dogs

Ruffey Lake Park Dog Off Leash Area is a short drive away for a proper run, with Manningham's designated off-lead zones marked inside the park and dogs on-lead on shared paths. For a bigger brunch with the dog after a weekend walk, Secret Grounds Cafe on High Street is open seven days.

More options are on the Victoria dog friendly cafes guide and the Doncaster destination page.

Max: follow the red umbrella into the alley. Small table, big coffee, and I fit just fine.