Cafe Colores

Cafe Colores is a casual neighbourhood cafe at 783 High Street, Reservoir, and its sun-soaked courtyard makes it one of the easier stops on the strip to bring a dog. It is a proper local: coffee, pastries and a community feel rather than a destination brunch queue.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the large outdoor courtyard and at the front footpath tables, and staff are known to bring out fresh water bowls. The team is accommodating, but if the courtyard is crowded it is worth confirming a table on arrival rather than assuming there is room to settle a dog comfortably.

Worth knowing

The kitchen leans South American: empanadas and beef pastries are the signature orders, and there are vegan options and a solid run of pastries and cookies alongside quality coffee and iced lattes. It suits a quick breakfast or an unhurried mid-morning sit equally well, and the courtyard keeps things relaxed even when the strip outside is busy. It opens early on weekdays and wraps up around 2pm, with shorter Saturday hours and no Sunday trade, so mornings are the window (confirm current hours before you head out, as small cafes shift them seasonally).

Getting there and parking

Cafe Colores sits on the main High Street strip, with street parking on High Street (check the signage) and more on the residential side streets, plus tram and bus stops within easy reach. For the post-coffee walk, the off-lead space at Edwardes Lake Park Dog Off-Lead Area is two to three minutes away by car, and for another coffee lap the dog-friendly Lady Bower and Clayton & Me are both on the same side of town.

More of the neighbourhood is on the Reservoir destination page and the VIC cafes list.