Tyler's Milkbar

Tyler's Milkbar at 656 Plenty Road, Preston is a family-run corner-store cafe doing all-day breakfast, house-made baking and proper milkshakes, and it wears its nostalgia lightly. For dog owners the relevant part is the rear courtyard, a sheltered spot where well-behaved dogs settle in comfortably.

Dogs at Tyler's

Dogs are welcome in the back courtyard and generally at the front footpath seating as well. Staff are warm towards dogs and water bowls are usually on hand, though bringing your own is never a bad idea on a hot Melbourne morning. Keep the lead on and the dog tucked out of the walkways; the space is small and the counter traffic is constant on weekends.

Worth knowing

The kitchen leans simple and hearty: toasties, baked goods, a solid run of vegetarian and vegan options, and milkshakes that justify the milkbar name. Coffee holds its own against anything on the strip. The room is cosy in the true sense, which means tight, so a large dog is better served by a courtyard table at a quiet hour. Doors open at 7am Tuesday to Friday until 3pm, Saturday until 4pm, and the kitchen is dark Sunday and Monday, which catches out visitors who assume seven-day service.

Getting there and parking

The 86 tram stops almost directly outside near Gower Street, so it is an easy trip from the CBD or Northcote. Free street parking is usually findable on the residential side streets off Plenty Road, subject to signage. Expect weekend queues; mid-week and early Saturday are the relaxed windows.

Make a day of it

Earn the toasties first: G.H. Mott Reserve in Preston has an off-leash area, and Edwardes Lake Park at Reservoir is the bigger run up the road. Another dog-welcoming coffee option is Red Bean Coffee Roaster further down Plenty Road with outdoor seating out front.

More options are on the Victoria dog friendly cafes guide and the Preston destination page.