Port of Call

Port of Call sits on Bay Road in Sandringham, a short pedal or stroll from the water, and it has built its regular crowd on big plates and a relaxed frontage. Chilli scrambled eggs, foccacia and porridge carry the menu through 7am to 3pm daily, with later weekend opens, and the setup suits a dog day out: street side tables out the front plus a small courtyard behind the cafe.

Where dogs can sit

Dogs are welcome at the street side tables out the front and in the rear courtyard, and the cafe is listed by the Bayside Dog Owners Group among dog friendly eateries around the area, matching what visitors report. With two outdoor options you can pick by weather: the frontage for people watching and passing dogs, the courtyard when you want quieter and out of the breeze. Keep your dog leashed and settled, since the Bay Road footpath gets steady foot traffic through the morning.

Street parking around Bay Road is manageable outside the weekend brunch peak, and the location works neatly with the suburb's waterfront: the harbour and beach reserves are a few minutes away, and the café's 3pm close means mornings are the play. Generous portions and vegan options make it an easy group stop after a long walk, and staff are used to dogs taking over a corner of the frontage.

Make a day of it

The classic Sandringham loop pairs breakfast here with a swim at Sandringham Harbour Dog Beach, or a walk along the bay trail towards Brighton. Sandy Kiosk is the waterfront coffee backup if the courtyard is full. The rest of the suburb is under dog friendly Sandringham and the VIC cafe guide.