CJ MOBILE CAFE

CJ Mobile Cafe is the coffee van in the main Lilydale Lake car park, a staple for walkers finishing the 2.6km lake circuit. It is casual, entirely outdoors and very used to dogs; Chris and Karen run it, and the coffee is widely rated among the best in Lilydale.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the open area around the van. Being a van, your seating is the park itself: standing tables, the grass, or a spot by the water once you have your cup. The van keeps dog treats on hand, which regulars' dogs know well. Keep your dog leashed at the van, because the car park and connecting paths are high-traffic, and let them loose only in the designated areas. Water taps for dogs are dotted around the park.

Worth knowing

Alongside the coffee, the van does a spicy chai and hot chocolate, and the menu prices are café-fair for a caravan. Hours run Tuesday to Friday 7am to midday and 7am to 3pm on weekends, closed Mondays except public holidays. Hours can shift seasonally, so check before a special trip.

Getting there and parking

The van parks at the Lilydale Lake car park on Swansea Road, Lilydale, in Melbourne's outer east. The large free car park sits right next to it, with flat access straight onto the lake trails, so there is no need to move the car between walk and coffee.

Close by with the dogs

The north-west off-leash area at Lilydale Lake sits on the same circuit, and Kimberley Drive Reserve in Chirnside Park is a short drive for a fenced run. If you want a sit-down breakfast afterwards, The Lilydale General is in town. More dog-friendly cafes in Victoria or plan via Lilydale.

Grab a coffee before or after the lake walk. Weekends are busiest mid-morning; weekdays are quieter all round.