Red Park

Red Park is an all-day cafe and evening pizza bar at 24 Hodgson Street in central Ocean Grove, with a sunny deck shaded by a large gum tree in the garden. It runs on two speeds: coffee and breakfast from 8:30am, then a pizza-and-cocktails service Thursday to Saturday nights, with the porchetta roll from midday as the bridge between the two. For Bellarine Peninsula dog walkers, the deck is the draw, close enough to the beach trail to slot into a coastal morning.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor area, and the deck under the gum is the prime real estate: natural shade in summer, garden outlook all year. Leashed dogs settle beside tables while you order at the counter, and staff will usually sort out a water bowl on request, though bringing your own on busy summer mornings is the safer bet. The deck fills on warm weekends, so a midweek visit gives a dog more room to lie flat.

The vibe

Relaxed and fresh, with a kitchen that covers gluten-free and vegan options without making a fuss of it. The daytime menu leans breakfast and bagels, the cheesecake has its fans, and the wine list and cocktail list carry the evening. Hours run Wednesday and Sunday 8:30am to 3pm, Thursday to Saturday from 8:30am with dinner service and pizza from 5pm, and closed Monday and Tuesday. Worth confirming hours before a special trip since they shift seasonally.

Getting there and parking

The address is 24 Hodgson Street, Ocean Grove, walkable from the main shopping strip. Street parking runs along Hodgson Street and the surrounding residential blocks, tightening in summer when the town swells. Ocean Grove's dog beach is only minutes away, which makes the natural circuit an early beach walk followed by breakfast on the deck.

Close by with the dogs

Build the morning around Ocean Grove Dog's Beach, then coffee. Other local stops include Dawn Cafe and Two Doors Down, and the Ocean Grove guide or the wider dog friendly cafes in VIC list will fill any gaps.

Red Park handles the whole day with a dog in tow: shaded deck coffee in the morning, porchetta roll at lunch, pizza at night. For a Bellarine dog-friendly anchor, it is a strong pick.