Nice Guy Eddie Coffee + Kitchen

Nice Guy Eddie Coffee + Kitchen is a small, friendly back-street cafe at 2/1 Orr Street in Heidelberg Heights, the kind of neighbourhood spot where a well-behaved dog on the footpath is part of the regular scene. Staff are known for welcoming dogs warmly, often with biscuits or a pup cup on hand, and they will generally bring out a water bowl on request.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating out front. The indoor area is small, so if you want to duck inside, check with staff first rather than assuming. Weekday breakfast is the easy window when the small outdoor area is less likely to be full, and bring your own water on a hot day to be safe.

The vibe and the menu

The kitchen turns out quality coffee and a big breakfast and brunch line-up, with the egg and bacon roll, paninis and a jalapeno chicken sandwich the recurring orders. The surprise is the on-site gelato counter, churning house-made flavours that rotate regularly, which makes this a rare cafe that covers breakfast with the dog and gelato with the kids in one stop. It sits on a quiet street behind the main Heidelberg Heights strip, with free street parking nearby and the train-side cafes of Heidelberg a few minutes further if the tables are full.

Close by with the dogs

For off-lead time, the fully fenced zone at Malahang Reserve in Heidelberg West is minutes away with shade and agility gear. Back in the suburb, Crate Specialty Coffee and Sunnyside are the other local cafes that welcome dogs outdoors.

More of the area's dog-friendly venues are on the Heidelberg Heights destination page, with the state list in the VIC cafes index.