Coffee Is Here

Coffee Is Here is a small, well-liked neighbourhood coffee spot at 8 Dorothy Street in Leopold, on the Bellarine Peninsula side of Geelong. It opens early on weekdays, 6:30am to 12:30pm, with shorter 7am to 11am weekend hours, and dogs are welcome in the sunny outdoor area out front.

The dog setup

Dogs settle in on the grassy patch and outdoor seating at the front of the cafe rather than inside, the usual arrangement for a cafe this size. Staff are known for handing out free treats to visiting dogs, and it is worth asking for a water bowl if your dog needs a drink on a warm morning. It is a compact site, so a dog that is relaxed at a footpath table is the right fit.

The vibe

Specialty coffee is the draw, poured with quality milk options including a well-regarded almond milk, and the homemade pasties, cakes and biscuits keep locals coming back. The chatty owner and the small-team service give it a genuine community feel, and it reads as a neighbourhood ritual rather than a weekend destination. That said, weekend mornings do get busy for its size, so a weekday run is the calmer option if you want a table with the dog.

Getting there and parking

The cafe sits on Dorothy Street, a quiet side street just off the main road through Leopold. Free street parking is available directly out front and on the surrounding streets, and the area is flat and easy to get around with a dog on lead.

Close by with the dogs

The Gateway Sanctuary off Melaluka Road is a few minutes away for a leashed nature walk, with City of Greater Geelong rules keeping dogs on lead through the reserve to protect the wildlife. For proper off leash time, Leopold's local fenced dog park gives dogs a secure run, and further down the peninsula Point Lonsdale Dog Beach allows off lead swimming year-round under voice control. If you are café-hopping the Bellarine, Noble Foods in Leopold and First Chapter Coffee at Moolap are both nearby.

Browse more dog friendly cafes in Victoria or see everything listed around Leopold.