Ripples Cafe n Co

Ripples Cafe n Co is a cosy, family-run brunch spot in the East Ivanhoe Village at 269 Lower Heidelberg Road, and the drawcard for dog owners is the outdoor seating, where dogs are genuinely welcome for the whole sitting rather than squeezed in at the edge.

The dog setup

Dogs settle at the outdoor tables on a lead, well behaved around other diners and passing foot traffic; indoor seating is for humans only, so plan it as an outdoor visit. A water bowl is usually put out, but ask at the table if you do not spot one. Regular dogs leave their mark too: the cafe keeps a wall of Polaroids celebrating the pups who come back week after week.

The vibe

The kitchen runs a modern Australian brunch menu with fusion touches, and regulars return for the chilli scramble on a croissant, French toast, Belgian waffles and eggs benedict with salmon, poured alongside 36th Parallel coffee. Welcoming staff is the recurring note in reviews. This is a proper local: weekend mornings fill with East Ivanhoe residents, so a sunny Saturday sitting can mean a short wait for an outdoor table.

Max: Chilli scramble for her, a spot on the Polaroid wall for me. Consider it a standing reservation.

Getting there and parking

Hours run 6am to 3pm weekdays and 7am to 3pm on weekends. Street parking along Lower Heidelberg Road gets busy at peak brunch times, so side streets in the surrounding residential blocks are the more reliable bet, and bus routes along Lower Heidelberg Road stop close by.

While you're out there

The Seddon Reserve Dog Off Leash Area at Ivanhoe gives your dog a proper run either side of coffee, and the Darebin Creek Trail is close for a longer walk. Lucci Eatery is another dog-friendly option in the same pocket. More ideas are in our guide to dog friendly cafes in Victoria and the Ivanhoe East destination page.