Freaky Tiki Cafe

Freaky Tiki is a colourful, laid-back cafe on the Rye strip opposite the foreshore on the Mornington Peninsula, opening early and pouring what locals rate as some of the best coffee in town. It has a real soft spot for dogs, which makes it the natural first stop before a beach walk.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating out front, and there is a takeaway window so you can order and stay outside with the dog the whole time. Dog cookies usually go over the counter for visiting pups, and water bowls are on hand. The footpath is a busy one with pedestrians and prams passing, so it suits dogs that are relaxed around foot traffic rather than reactive ones.

Worth knowing

Everything is made fresh in-house on Lievito bakery bread, with Little Rebel Roastery coffee and cold-pressed juices. The breakfast and brunch run is solid, from eggs benedict and a bacon and egg roll through to a wide spread of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Doors open at 6am on weekdays for the dawn patrol and slightly later on weekends, running to mid-afternoon.

Getting there and parking

The cafe is at Shop 14/2185 Point Nepean Road in central Rye, directly across from the foreshore reserve and beach. Free street parking runs along the main road and there are public car parks behind the shops, so a spot is rarely a problem outside peak summer.

Make a day of it

Rye beach is just across the road, and Rye Beach Dog Off Leash Area covers the seasonal off-lead windows, so check the council signage for times. The coastal path runs towards Tootgarook for a longer walk. If you are cafe-hopping the strip, Honey and Sol and Hapi Cafe and Restaurant are fellow dog-friendly Rye options.

More picks are on the VIC dog friendly cafes guide and the Rye destination page.

Max: the 6am weekday open is the whole trick. Beach walk first, then coffee at the takeaway window, and the dog gets a cookie before most of the town is awake.