Little Sunflower Café

Little Sunflower is a small, plant-filled health cafe on Ormond Road in Elwood, a short walk back from the beach, and it is one of the more dog-accommodating spots on the strip. There is a dog-friendly courtyard out the back plus street-side footpath tables out front, so you can pick a spot that suits the weather and how busy the cafe is running.

The dog setup

The rear courtyard is the natural choice with a dog: it is enclosed, leafy and away from Ormond Road foot traffic. Staff are welcoming to visiting dogs and have a reputation for slipping them a treat, though it is a compact room so mention your dog when you arrive and they will steer you to the right table. On finer days the footpath tables work just as well, and well-mannered dogs that are happy to settle while passing locals and their dogs go by will fit right in.

The menu

This is health-forward brunching: strong vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free coverage across the board, with the sweet potato rosti a house signature. The kitchen leans on seasonal produce, and the coffee program backs it up with house-made almond milk, cold-pressed juices and protein balls in the cabinet. It suits a slow morning rather than a quick pit stop.

Getting there and parking

The cafe opens 6.30am to 3pm Tuesday through Sunday and closes Mondays. Free street parking is available on Ormond Road and the surrounding streets, busiest on weekend mornings, and the foreshore is only a few minutes on foot, so pairing breakfast with a beach walk is easy.

Close by with the dogs

Elwood Beach has a designated off-leash zone near Point Ormond, though Port Phillip Council restricts sand hours over summer between 1 November and 31 March, so check the tide of the rules before you go. M.O. Moran Reserve Fenced Dog Park gives dogs a fully fenced run close by, and Clarke Reserve Off-Leash Park is a quieter local option. For another dog-friendly table nearby, Combi Elwood is on the same strip.

Max: courtyards, treats and a sweet potato rosti. My human says the almond milk flat white is worth the trip too.