Danbo's Coffee Newborough

Danbo's Coffee is a busy community cafe at 265 Old Sale Road in Newborough, central Gippsland, and it has become one of the region's most talked-about coffee shops since opening in 2020, even taking out a Latrobe Valley People's Choice award along the way. For dog owners, the draw is the outdoor bench seating, where reviewers regularly report dogs are made welcome.

The dog setup

There is no formal published pet policy, so it is worth confirming on a first visit. That said, multiple reviewers describe staff coming outside to greet dogs and occasionally offering treats, and the outside benches give you a comfortable spot to sit with your dog. Bring your own water bowl to be safe.

Max: No verified policy means I would scope out the bench layout first and ask staff before settling in. A quick word avoids any ambiguity on a busy morning.

The menu

Patrons regularly call this the best coffee in Gippsland, and the kitchen backs it up with loaded toasties, sweet treats from the cabinet and vegan options. Expect an energetic, fast-moving room rather than a quiet sit-down. Doors open at 5:30am on weekdays, running to 2pm, with shorter weekend trade, 7am to midday Saturday and 8am to midday Sunday.

Getting there and parking

Free street parking surrounds the cafe, which sits next door to the Old Sale Road Veterinary Centre, so getting in and out is straightforward at any hour.

Close by with the dogs

The Toners Lane Dog Park at Morwell is the nearest off-lead option a short drive east, and MugLife Espresso is another dog-friendly cafe in the valley. Coffee Central at Moe covers the south if you are passing through on the way to the Strzelecki ranges.

More dog-friendly venues around the region are on the Newborough destination page, with the wider list in the VIC cafes index.