Hay and Hide Cafe

Hay and Hide Cafe is a light, modern cafe in the Belford Court shopping strip at 54-58 Kilby Road, Kew East. It opened in early 2026 and has already settled into a routine familiar to anyone who walks this pocket of Melbourne's east: coffee, sandwiches and pastries for locals, with the regular dog walking groups factoring the stop into their rounds.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating at the front of the cafe, where tables spill out into the Belford Court strip. It is a casual, social arrangement that suits a well-behaved dog settled on a lead beside your table, and the local walking groups who pass through regularly are a good sign the setup works. Water bowl availability can vary depending on how busy the outdoor area is, so it is worth asking staff when you order rather than assuming.

The vibe

This is a community-focused neighbourhood cafe rather than a destination dining room. The coffee is good, the muffins and sandwiches are fresh, and the atmosphere is relaxed enough that a dog at your feet raises no eyebrows. Locals on the Boroondara community pages welcomed the opening warmly, and the team have been friendly to visiting walkers from the start. One extra worth asking about in person: walking group members have reported the occasional free coffee perk, which the cafe offers to regular groups from time to time.

Getting there and parking

The cafe is at Shop 6, 54-58 Kilby Road, within the Belford Court shopping precinct in Kew East. Parking is available along the strip, which makes an easy arrival if you are driving in with the dog. On foot, it sits a short drive or a solid walk from the main parkland of the suburb.

Close by with the dogs

Hays Paddock is the obvious walk-then-coffee pairing, with its off leash area on Leason Street a short distance from the strip. Willsmere Park and Stradbroke Park both offer further off leash ground nearby, and if you are making a café circuit of it, Willo Cafe in Kew is another dog-friendly stop worth a detour.

For more options across the state, browse dog friendly cafes in Victoria or see what else is listed around Kew East.