Colourful Apron

Colourful Apron is a small community cafe at 20A Tivendale Road in Officer, doing breakfast and lunch from 9am on weekdays and 10am on Saturdays, closed Sundays. It is the sort of local spot where the dog is genuinely part of the visit: the street-side outdoor area is actively set up for dogs, with fresh water and treats put out for them.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating only and are not allowed inside, so head for the street-side tables. Parasols give shade and the outlook runs over Tivendale Road and the church opposite. Staff put out dishes of fresh water and treats and are known for making a fuss of visiting dogs, so a friendly, settled dog will fit straight in. Keep your dog on a lead and parked clear of the doorway, because the space out front is compact.

Worth knowing

The menu runs to fresh daily light meals, pies, sweets and hot or cold drinks, and the coffee holds up well against bigger operators in the area. It trades to 3pm, closed Sundays. The venue is new enough that its local following is still building, so a weekday visit gets you the quietest table and the most attention for your dog.

Getting there and parking

Tivendale Road sits in the older part of Officer, an easy run off the freeway corridor and close to Officer station. Street parking is usually available directly outside or on the surrounding streets, which is one less thing to manage with a dog in the car.

Close by with the dogs

Pair the coffee with a run at Onyx Crescent Fenced Dog Park, the fully fenced off-lead option a short drive away, or fall back on the Officer linear paths for an on-leash stroll. The High Horse in the Timbertop estate is the bigger dog-welcoming cafe nearby, with water bowls at its outdoor tables. More options sit in the Officer guide and across Victoria.