Aura espresso bar & cafe

Aura is a relaxed espresso bar and cafe at 233 Commercial Road, on the Prahran/South Yarra border near the Chapel Street corner. Dogs are welcomed in the covered outdoor areas, which makes it a comfortable coffee stop mid-walk in most weather.

The dog setup. Dogs are looked after in the licensed courtyard and the undercover pergola out the back rather than in the main indoor room. The pergola is heated, so it holds up on cooler Melbourne mornings when a footpath table would not. Staff have a reputation for being warm toward dogs, so expect a friendly reception rather than a grudging one.

Good to know. Reviewers rate the courtyard, the vegan and gluten-free options, and the general homely feel. Saturdays bring a two-hour bottomless brunch and occasional live piano, so it gets busier and louder then, worth knowing if your dog is noise-shy.

Getting there and parking. Trams run along Commercial Road and Chapel Street, so public transport drops you close. Street parking sits on Commercial Road and the residential side streets, but check the signs because restrictions apply along the main road.

Nearby with the dogs. Victoria Gardens and its sunken off-leash oval are a short stroll for a run before or after coffee, and Chapel Street is right there for a browse with the dog in tow.

Sources

• Aura espresso bar & cafe: Home · auraespressobarandcafe.com
• Aura Espresso Bar & Cafe (@auraespressobar) - Prahran, VIC · instagram.com

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.