The Little Elephant

The Little Elephant is a long-running brunch cafe at 23 Spring Road, Highett, in Bayside Melbourne, and one of the busiest dog-friendly spots in the pocket. The front outdoor tables welcome dogs daily, with a pet shop just down the strip for a treat run afterwards.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the front outdoor tables; indoors is off limits, as with all Victorian food venues. A water bowl is usually put out, though carrying your own is wise on a warm day. The footpath position means it suits a dog that is comfortable close to passing foot traffic, and staff have a steady reputation among Bayside dog owners for being glad to see dogs at the tables.

The vibe

The cafe pours St Ali coffee over a modern brunch menu that spans corn fritters, hashbrowns, gluten free bread and a brisket burger, with plenty of vegan and vegetarian plates alongside. Friendly staff is the recurring theme across a large volume of reviews. It is a daytime operation, running 7am to 3pm Monday to Saturday and 8am to 2pm Sundays, so plan it as a breakfast or lunch stop.

Pepsi: Corn fritters for me, water bowl for her, and the pet shop two doors down on the way home. A complete morning.

Getting there and parking

Spring Road is a short walk from Highett Railway Station, and street parking runs along Spring Road and the nearby streets; check signage before leaving the car. Weekend brunch is the peak and the front tables fill fast, so an early arrival or a midweek visit gives you the most room.

While you're out there

The Turner Road Reserve Dog Off Leash Area is a short trip away for a proper run before or after breakfast, and Drip Cafe in Cheltenham has a dog-friendly courtyard if you are back another day. Broader options are in our guide to dog friendly cafes in Victoria and the Highett destination page.