Briquettes Pty Ltd

Briquettes is a tiny coffee shop at 6 Harp Road in Kew, wedged in among the local shops, and it has built a devoted following by opening absurdly early: 5.15am on weekdays, 6.30am on weekends, running to midday. It is the first coffee in Kew each morning and a regular mid-walk stop for locals, dogs included, with reviews pointing straight at its dog-friendly, welcoming staff and its genuine regulars.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables while their owners line up at the counter, and the footpath-side setup makes it an easy stop-and-settle rather than a big sit-down affair. The morning dog-walking crowd is part of the furniture here, so a leashed dog by the table fits right in. Bring a water bowl if your dog needs one; the space is compact, so park your dog out of the shop's queue line.

Worth knowing

The menu is grab-and-go rather than table service: specialty coffee, fresh takeaway pastries, cookies and banana bread, chicken and other toasties, plus quick bites for lunch. An acai bowl gets frequent local mentions for the health-minded. It suits a coffee-and-a-pastry pause more than a long brunch, and everything wraps up by midday, so plan the stop for the morning leg of your walk.

Getting there and parking

Harp Road sits in the quieter streets of Kew, a short hop off High Street or Cotham Road, with street parking along the strip. It is an easy add-on to the walking loops through Kew's residential blocks, and the early open makes it a workable first stop before the traffic builds.

Close by with the dogs

For an off-lead stretch, Foley Reserve Dog Off Leash Area and Victoria Park Dog Off Leash Area are both in range, and Yarra Bend Park makes a longer riverside outing. Willo Cafe on Willsmere Road is the bigger dog-friendly brunch option nearby if you want to graduate from coffee window to table. More options sit in the Kew guide and across Victoria.