Regulator Cafe Highett

Regulator is an independent neighbourhood cafe on Railway Parade, Highett, right beside Highett Station, with dog-friendly outdoor seating out the front. The draw is the location: you can step off the train and be at a footpath table with your dog and a coffee in a couple of minutes.

The dog setup. Dogs are welcome in the front outdoor and footpath seating; indoors is off-limits under Victorian food rules, bar registered assistance dogs. Staff commonly bring out a water bowl, but pack your own on a warm day. There is enough outdoor space to find a spot with room for a dog to settle beside you.

Good to know. It leans into a casual, low-hype neighbourhood feel and rates highly for its coffee, stacked toasties and seasonal brunch. Hours run roughly 6:30am to 3pm, a touch earlier close on Sundays, so it is a morning-to-early-afternoon stop.

Getting there. It sits directly next to Highett Railway Station, so the train is the easy option. Free street parking runs along Railway Parade and the nearby streets; confirm current signage before you leave the car.

Nearby with the dogs. Combine it with an off-leash run at Turner Road Reserve a short drive away, or wander the Highett Road strip where Third Wheel offers another dog-friendly coffee.

When to go. Weekday mornings are the calmest for a footpath table; weekend brunch is the busy stretch. Good for a quick, low-fuss coffee stop on the way to or from the park.

Sources

• Regulator - Good people, great coffee, food & hospitality · regulatorhighett.com.au

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.