Smiths Gully Cafe

Smiths Gully Cafe is a cosy country stop on the Kangaroo Ground-St Andrews Road, known locally for hearty homemade pies and a relaxed, rural feel. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor undercover seating, making it an easy stop on a drive through Nillumbik.

Dog setup. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor, undercover seating area rather than inside. It is a casual setup where dogs generally sit beside their owners' tables. Staff are used to four-legged visitors and will usually bring out a water bowl on request, but it is worth bringing your own just in case.

Known for. The homemade pies are the drawcard, alongside the Gully Burger and a solid list of desserts. It has the kind of fireplace-and-local-produce feel that makes it worth lingering over a coffee.

Getting there. The cafe sits directly on the main road through Smiths Gully, about 45 to 60 minutes from Melbourne's CBD. On-street parking is generally easy to find right outside or nearby.

Nearby with the dogs. St Andrews Market is a short drive away and welcomes leashed dogs on market days. The surrounding Nillumbik back roads and bushland also make for good on-lead wandering before or after your coffee.

Best visited outside the Saturday market rush if you want a quiet table. Good for a relaxed pie stop with a well-mannered dog on lead.

Sources

• Smiths Gully Cafe - Nillumbik Shire Council · nillumbik.vic.gov.au
• Is it dog friendly? - Tripadvisor · tripadvisor.com
• Smiths Gully Cafe, Smiths Gully | Great Road Trip · greatroadtrip.com.au

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.