Manna Lane Cafe

Manna Lane Cafe hides down a laneway off Brice Avenue in the middle of Mooroolbark, a few minutes' walk from the train station, and it is one of the easier coffee stops in the outer east to bring a dog. The welcome is in the outdoor seating in the lane itself, where the tables spill out from a small, cosy dining room.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables in the laneway, with direct access from the street so you never need to lead your dog through the indoor dining area. The interior is small and intimate, so outside is the sensible pick with a dog anyway. Staff have a habit of making a fuss of four-legged visitors, and a water bowl often appears, though it is worth carrying your own on a warm day.

Coffee and the kitchen

The draw here is solid specialty coffee and a brunch menu that leans generous, with good vegetarian and vegan options, matcha lattes and fresh juices alongside the usual breakfast plates. Hours run 7am to 3pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm on weekends. It gets busy on weekend mornings, so the lane tables fill quickly; a mid-week visit is the relaxed option.

Getting there and parking

The cafe is at 9/79B Brice Avenue, Mooroolbark, tucked into the laneway off the main strip. Street parking sits along Brice Avenue with more on nearby Charles and Station streets, and Mooroolbark Station is close enough to arrive on foot if you are coming by train.

Make a day of it

Summerhill Park dog off-leash area is a short drive away for a run before brunch, and the Brushy Creek connection of the Carrum to Warburton Trail gives you a longer, flatter walk right through the suburb. If you are making a morning of it, Pump Cafe is another dog-friendly stop on the same strip.

More dog friendly cafes in Victoria and everything dog friendly in Mooroolbark.