Roast 66

Roast 66 is a specialty coffee van set up on Greensborough Road in Melbourne's north-east, roasting its own beans and pouring from an open-air cart. Because the entire operation happens outdoors, dogs are welcome by default: pull up, order, and wait with your dog at your feet. It is a coffee stop for the middle of a walk rather than a sit-down brunch.

The dog setup

There is no indoor space and no courtyard, so a dog's experience here is simple: stand in the open air, get a pat from the team behind the cart, and keep moving. That suits dogs who would rather not settle at a busy table. Bring your own water bowl, as this is a van rather than a full cafe, and mind that the cart sits beside a road, so park your dog out of the traffic side while you wait.

Max: the toastie smell at a walk-up window is a serious test of loyalty. I held out for a pat and won.

The coffee

The coffee is the point here: ethically sourced beans roasted in Melbourne, with the house blends the regulars' picks, plus cold drinks for warm mornings. Toasties, cookies and a small sweet lineup round out the order. Everything is takeaway, service is quick, and the early opening makes it a genuine first-stop-of-the-day option.

Hours and getting there

The van runs weekday mornings only, opening at 5:30am and shutting up shop around 11am, with no weekend service. The address is 533 Greensborough Road and there is parking on site, so it is an easy pull-in before work or on a weekday dog walk. Plan a weekend caffeine run elsewhere.

Make a day of it

Pair a cup with a run at Malcolm Blair Reserve Fenced Dog Park or the off-leash space at Poulter Reserve, both close by. If you want an actual sit-down breakfast with the dog, Sammich Co is in the same pocket. You can find more dog friendly cafes in Victoria or browse Greensborough.