Brewtique Banh Mi & Cafe

Brewtique Banh Mi & Cafe is a small Vietnamese bakery and coffee spot at 94 Hawdon Street, Heidelberg, running a tight menu of fresh rolls and specialty coffee. It is a compact, order-at-the-counter shop, and the dog arrangement matches the space: a friendly quick-lunch stop where your dog waits with you outside rather than settling in for a long sit-down meal.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating out front, and the owner has a reputation for greeting canine visitors properly rather than merely tolerating them. You can bring your dog inside with you while you order at the counter, but the shop is genuinely tiny, so the meal itself happens at the outdoor tables. There is no formal water bowl setup, so bring a travel bowl and you will have no problems.

Worth knowing

The banh mi is the draw: a crackly roll with homemade pate and pickled veg, in pork or grilled chicken, plus a crispy tofu option for vegetarians and a bacon and egg roll for the breakfast crowd. Rice paper rolls and solid coffee round it out, and reviewers consistently call the portions generous for the price. Doors open 8am to 2:30pm Tuesday to Friday and 9am to 3pm Saturday; the shop is closed Sunday and Monday, so plan a weekday lunch or a Saturday run.

Getting there and parking

Hawdon Street is a suburban pocket of shops away from the main Burgundy Street strip, with free street parking along Hawdon and the surrounding residential streets. It is an easy stop on the way to or from the river, and the footpath out front is wide enough to park a dog comfortably beside an outdoor table.

Close by with the dogs

Warringal Parklands is a few minutes away, a 35-hectare reserve along the Yarra River where Banyule's council rules allow dogs off lead under effective control, though you must carry a leash and stay clear of playgrounds and wildlife zones. For a structured run, the fenced dog park at Banyule Flats Reserve is also close, and the Banyule Flats Reserve loop makes a proper walk of it before lunch.

Max: check the outdoor tables are free before you order, the footpath strip is small and fills fast on Saturdays.

More dog-friendly cafes and parks around the suburb are listed on the Heidelberg guide.