Green tree cafe

Green Tree Cafe is an all-day brunch cafe on Glen Eira Road in Elsternwick, built around fresh, wholesome cooking with strong vegan, vegetarian and allergy-friendly options. It is also genuinely set up for dogs: outdoor tables, water bowls and treats on hand, which makes it a reliable stop whether you are walking from home or heading to the park.

The dog setup

Dogs join you at the outdoor seating, where leashed, well-settled dogs are welcome while you eat. Fresh water bowls are provided and the cafe often keeps dog treats on hand. Order at the till inside, then settle back at your table outside with your dog.

The vibe

The kitchen leans nutritious and fresh, with a robust plant-based and allergy-friendly menu, and the coffee is St Ali. Reviewers rate it highly for wholesome brunch cooking and welcoming service, with banana pancakes, poached eggs and egg and bacon rolls among the favourites. It is a bright, easy-going neighbourhood cafe rather than a scene.

Getting there and parking

Find it at 322 Glen Eira Road, Elsternwick. It is within walking distance of Elsternwick Station on the Sandringham line, and the route 67 tram stops nearby. Street parking on Glen Eira Road and the side streets is time-limited, so arrive early on weekends. Doors open at 7am on weekdays and 8am on weekends, closing at 3pm daily.

Close by with the dogs

For a proper run before brunch, the Harleston Park dog off-leash area is close by in Elsternwick, and the Elsternwick Park lakeside dog off-leash area sits just over the boundary. If you want to keep the morning rolling, Carter Lovett up Glen Huntly Road is another dog-friendly table in the suburb.

Pepsi: water bowls, treats at the counter and vegan options for the human who forgot their own breakfast.

Weekday mornings are the easiest time for an outdoor table; weekend brunch from 8am is the busy stretch. More choices are in the Victoria dog friendly cafes guide and the Elsternwick destination guide.