Whistling Kettle Cafe Hampton

Whistling Kettle Cafe at 8/532 Hampton Street is one of the more deliberately dog-minded cafes on the Bayside strip. Alongside the brunch menu it runs a dedicated dog menu, so your dog can order something too. It is a friendly, community-focused room with a strong local following in Hampton.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor footpath and street-front tables, where there is room to settle and plenty of people-watching. Water bowls are provided for dogs outside, and the staff are accommodating about leashed pups, so this is a proper sit-down spot rather than a takeaway detour. The dog menu means treats are sorted on the spot, which few Bayside cafes can match.

Worth knowing

The kitchen turns out quality brunch and lunch with a proper tea and coffee list alongside. Signature plates include the Whistling Benny with slow-roasted BBQ pulled pork and potato gratin under poached eggs, chilli scrambled eggs, zucchini fritters, eggs benedict, acai bowls, and a prawn and chorizo fettuccine for lunch. There is a kids menu as well, so it works for family mornings after a beach or park run.

Hours are Tuesday to Friday from 7:30am to 3pm and weekends from 8am to 4pm. Closed Mondays. Check the cafe's menu page for seasonal updates before you head out.

Getting there and parking

You will find it on Hampton Street, the main strip through Hampton in Melbourne's Bayside, with street parking around the shops. It is an easy flat walk from the surrounding streets, which suits older dogs.

Close by with the dogs

Before brunch, let the dog run at the R J Sillitoe Reserve dog off leash area or W L Simpson Reserve, both in Hampton. On warmer mornings, Sandringham Harbour Dog Beach and the Brighton Beach dog off leash area are a short drive up the coast. More dog friendly cafes in Victoria are listed if you want to keep exploring.

Max: I ordered off the dog menu while my humans worked through the Whistling Benny. Both of us left happy.