CHAIN OF FOOLS

Chain of Fools sits at 68 Beach Road directly across from Mentone Beach, a family run cafe doing hearty Indo-Western plates, house-baked pastries and proper coffee with the bay across the road. The front alfresco tables face the water, which makes this one of the easiest dog stops on the foreshore: park up, eat, and the sand is right there.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating, including the front tables looking out to Beach Road and the water, while inside is for human diners. Water bowls are usually provided and staff are used to dogs, but keep yours leashed and close to the table so the walkway stays clear for staff and passing patrons.

The vibe

The menu leans into the fusion streak: a rotating curry of the day, samosas, the chilli scramble, veggie burgers and house-baked muffins, with vegan and gluten free options alongside, and the fully licensed bar covers a slow lunch. The signature drinks are worth knowing about too, with a house-blend spicy chai and a golden turmeric latte. Service runs breakfast and lunch, roughly 7:30am to 3:30pm, so this is a morning-to-mid-afternoon stop rather than a dinner booking.

Max: on a sunny weekend the front tables get claimed early by the beach crowd. Get in before 9am and you'll have your pick of the bay-facing spots.

Getting there

Free parking sits directly in front and along Beach Road, though it fills fast on sunny weekends because the beach is across the road. Mentone station is walkable but uphill on the way back, so most dog owners arrive by car or on foot from the foreshore path.

While you're out there

Mentone Beach is immediately across the road with off leash sand between Charman and Plummer Roads at the Mentone Beach Dog Off Leash Area, and the Bay Trail runs straight past for a longer walk. For a second table nearby, Sanctum is a few doors up at 73 Beach Road, and Reg Marlow Reserve Fenced Dog Park is the fenced option inland.

More tables are on the Victoria dog friendly cafes guide and the Mentone destination page.