Madame Jude

Madame Jude is a pet-friendly cafe on High Street in Golden Square, a few minutes south of Bendigo's centre, and it has built a local following on two things: serious coffee and a Friday night barbecue. Dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio, where the staff put out fresh water bowls and dog biscuits and are known for making a fuss of regulars' dogs.

The dog setup

The patio is the dog zone, with the interior kept for patrons. Water and biscuits come out without being asked, which makes this an easy stop for walkers along the Midland Highway side of town. Weekday mornings are the calmest window for a relaxed coffee with a dog underfoot, before the rush hits.

Worth knowing

The kitchen runs hearty breakfasts and house-made bakes, carrot cranberry muffins and apple crumble among them. On Friday nights the Madame Cue barbecue pop-up takes over with smoked brisket, lamb, pork and wings, and it is worth confirming the current schedule before heading over since pop-up hours shift. The cafe opens early, 6.30am on weekdays, with Saturday from 8am and Sundays closed. On-street parking is out front and along the side streets.

Close by with the dogs

Golden Square's residential streets suit a pre or post-coffee loop, and Emily Way Dog Off Leash Area is the closest designated off-lead spot. For a bigger run, Allingham Reserve Dog Park in Kangaroo Flat is fully fenced with separate large and small dog areas, and Harcourt Dog Park out east adds dams and a creek for dogs that like a swim. Compact Cafe is another dog-friendly coffee stop on the same side of Bendigo.

Pepsi: biscuits on the patio before you have even sat down. Then brisket smoke drifting over from the Friday barbecue. Ten out of ten.