Mister Hoffman

Mister Hoffman is a neighbourhood cafe at 85A Hoffmans Road in Niddrie, in Melbourne's northwest between Essendon and Keilor, serving brunch and specialty coffee from early morning through mid-afternoon. The single reason to bring the dog is the footpath seating out front, where staff routinely put down water bowls.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area, which faces the footpath. Water bowls are often provided, which puts it ahead of most strip cafes. Keep your dog leashed, well-behaved and supervised at the table, and position yourself between your dog and the walkway during service, since footpath tables mean passing traffic and other dogs.

The vibe

The kitchen turns out a Wagyu brisket benedict and chilli scramble alongside a broad range of gluten-free and vegetarian options, with french toast and croissants for the sweet side. Coffee is the draw here, with pastries and take-away cups in steady rotation. Hours run from 6:30am weekdays (8am Sundays) to 3pm.

Getting there and parking

Free street parking is usually available on Hoffmans Road or the nearby residential streets. Note that some monitored bays roughly 50 metres away carry a two-hour limit, so check the signage before settling in for a long brunch.

Make a day of it

Burn off the brunch at the fenced dog park over in Strathmore, or head to the Airport West off-leash reserve for a proper run. Both are a short drive, and the Maribyrnong river loop is close by for a leashed walk instead.

For the off-leash leg, try the Alf Pearce Reserve fenced dog park or the A J Davis Reserve off-leash area. Nearby cafe options include Take 3 in Essendon and Matte Black, with the Maribyrnong river loop for the walk. More options sit under the Victorian cafes listing and the Niddrie destination page.