Soul at Mickys

Soul at Mickys operates at 1637 Main Road, Research, inside the Micky's Fitness site in the Green Wedge belt, right by the entrance to the Research Aqueduct Trail. The cafe is built as a pit stop for walkers, cyclists and dog owners: order through the front takeaway window, take a seat in the open-air outdoor area, and the dog never has to wait alone. It even runs a dedicated Puppy Pit Stop with water bowls set out for trail users.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor and courtyard seating, and the takeaway window means you can order without leaving your dog. Water bowls are provided, and dogs should stay under control among the post-walk traffic. Keep yours leashed around the cafe and the shared path out front: Nillumbik rules require dogs to be on lead within five metres of shared paths even in reserves that otherwise allow off-lead exercise.

Max: A smoothie bowl and a shaded table right where the aqueduct trail starts. The dog gets a water bowl before you have even paid.

The food and drink

The menu leans health-conscious: MAKER specialty coffee, house-blended fruit smoothies and smoothie bowls, toasties and baked goods, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Hours are Monday to Friday and Sunday 8am to 1pm, with a 7:30am Saturday opening, which tracks with the morning-walk crowd it serves.

Getting there and parking

Free street parking is available on Main Road and the surrounding areas, with flat access straight off the road, so the walk from the car with a dog is short.

Nearby with the dogs

The aqueduct trail next door is the obvious warm-up, and for a dedicated run the Griffith Park Dog Off Leash Area in Eltham and Eltham North Dog Park are both close. Warrandyte River Reserve Dog Off Leash Area allows off-lead in its designated zones along the Yarra, on lead near the playgrounds and BBQs. If you are pairing cafe stops, Little Gem Cafe in Warrandyte is the nearest dog-friendly option.

More options in the north east are on the Research destination page and in the VIC cafes index.