Hello Sparrow Cafe

Hello Sparrow is a small, relaxed brunch cafe at 126A Chapel Street near the St Kilda Road end, a handy stop between St Kilda and Balaclava. It opens at 7am most days, which makes it a useful first coffee on a morning dog walk.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor footpath tables out front, while the small interior stays people-only, so this is a fine-weather stop. Staff are easygoing with dogs on the pavement, but bring your own water bowl to be safe.

The vibe

The room is cozy and softly lit, with a neighbourhood regulars feel rather than a scene. The draw is the coffee and a tidy brunch menu with a New Zealand lean from the kitchen, with the Korean fried chicken burger and chilli scramble among the picks, plus fresh-baked pastries and cold-pressed juice.

Getting there and parking

Street parking runs along Chapel Street and the side streets and gets competitive around lunch, so read the signs for time limits. Trams on St Kilda Road and the route 78 up Chapel Street both put you within a short walk.

While you're out there

It is a 15 to 20 minute walk down to the sand: St Kilda Beach Dog Off Leash Area covers where the lead can come off, and Peanut Farm Reserve offers a closer off-lead patch.

If the footpath tables are full, SALIS cafe is another dog-welcoming option nearby, and Dogs Bar does evening drinks with the dog at your feet.

Weekend mornings are the busiest stretch, so arrive early with a dog who minds close quarters. More listings are on the VIC cafes guide and the St Kilda destination page.