Velvet Café & Lounge

Velvet Cafe & Lounge occupies Unit 6, 3 Ozone Parade, Miami, in a pink and burgundy fit-out that has made it one of the more photographed brunch rooms on this stretch of the Gold Coast. The reason to bring a dog is the dedicated screened courtyard with its own side entrance, so you get full table service without walking your dog through the indoor dining room.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the screened courtyard, reached directly via the side entrance off Ozone Parade. Seating is umbrella-shaded and the team serves the courtyard properly, which makes this a better long-brunch option than the usual footpath table. Water bowls are usually brought out, though packing a collapsible one is a sensible backup. Standard etiquette applies: dog on lead, on the floor beside the table.

The menu

The food leans European breakfast and long brunch: eggs benedict, Spanish tortilla, toasties on sourdough and focaccia, overnight tiramisued oats and pastries like the caramel croissant, with the matcha a particular draw. Later in the week the room shifts toward small plates, salumi and cheese platters, haloumi with honey, craft beer and cocktails. Patrons consistently rate the portions and the quick, efficient service.

Getting there and parking

Doors open from 6am daily. Closes run to mid afternoon early in the week and into the evening Thursday to Saturday on the venue's own listed hours, so check the site if you are planning a late one. Street parking runs along Ozone Parade and the surrounding streets and fills on weekends, so allow a few minutes.

Close by with the dogs

Miami Beach is a few minutes away for an on-lead esplanade walk, and the Burleigh Esplanade stretches the walk further south. For a proper off-lead run either side of brunch, the Pizzey Park Fenced Dog Park is a short drive inland, and Quade is another dog-tolerant coffee option on the same strip.

More options are on the Miami destination page and in the QLD cafes index.