Phoenician Cafe

Phoenician Cafe is a neighbourhood brunch spot on Westbury Street in St Kilda East, a short walk from Alma Park, and it wears its dog-friendliness plainly. The covered outdoor deck is where dogs go, rain or shine, and staff are used to canine regulars stopping in after the park.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables on the undercover deck; inside is people only. The cover matters in Melbourne, because a drizzly morning does not cost you the table. The cafe is known locally for puppuccinos and keeps dog treats on hand, so a reward for a well-mannered deck companion is usually easy to arrange. Bring your own water bowl if your dog is fussy, since a bowl is not always out on a quiet weekday.

The vibe and the menu

This is a smaller, quieter alternative to the Chapel Street and Carlisle Street strips, which makes the deck easier to get a table on with a dog in tow. The kitchen runs a proper brunch menu: eggs benedict, mushroom ragu, pancakes and gluten free options, with house-baked cakes and sticky date pudding in the cabinet. The coffee has a solid local following, and the croissants are worth adding to the order.

Getting there and parking

The cafe sits at 34 Westbury Street, St Kilda East, near the Alma Road end. There is no dedicated car park, so expect to find a spot on Westbury Street or the surrounding residential streets. It is an easy walk from Balaclava and Ripponlea stations, and opens 7am to 2pm daily, so plan a morning rather than an afternoon.

Close by with the dogs

Alma Park East Dog Off Leash Area is an easy walk away for a run before or after coffee, and Greenmeadows Gardens gives you a second on-lead option. If you want to make more of the morning, St Kilda Beach Dog Off Leash Area is a short drive north. For another coffee stop, Las Chicas on Carlisle Street is dog friendly too.

Go early on weekend mornings if you want the deck to yourself, then pair the coffee with a loop of Alma Park to make a proper outing of it. More dog friendly cafes across the state are listed at cafes in Victoria, with local picks on the St Kilda East destination guide.