Via Battisti

Via Battisti is the Mediterranean-style cafe in the Mount Martha village, directly opposite the famous beach boxes, trading daily from 7am to 3pm. The front footpath tables are set up for dogs, and it is a genuine local favourite for people-watching with a coffee while your dog settles at your feet.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the footpath dining area out front. Staff are used to regulars arriving with dogs and usually bring a water bowl out without being asked, though it is worth a quick ask on a busy morning. The seating is open-air and runs along the path, so keep your lead short when foot traffic picks up and tuck your dog in close to the table.

Worth knowing

The kitchen is an Italian-leaning deli: paninis are the house signature (prosciutto and salami versions especially), with baguettes, croissants and spanakopita covering the cabinet, and a sticky chai that has its own following. Coffee comes from Square One. It is fully licensed from 11am, so lunch can stretch. The crowd is a mix of village regulars and beach-walk traffic, and the beach boxes across the road make it an easy stop on any Bay Trail outing.

Max: prosciutto panini, sticky chai, and the beach boxes for a view. The village delivers.

Getting there and parking

The cafe sits on Lochiel Avenue in the Mount Martha village, a short walk up from the beach. Street parking runs along Lochiel Avenue and the surrounding village streets, and it fills on summer weekends, so a morning arrival is the safe bet.

Close by with the dogs

The Hawker Beach dog off-lead area down the Esplanade covers a swim before or after the table, and the Mount Martha Fenced Leash-Free Area handles off-lead runs inland. For a second coffee, Donato is the other village option.

More picks sit in the Victoria dog friendly cafes guide and the Mount Martha destinations page.