Gesha

Gesha is a small, well-regarded coffee spot at 496 Whitehorse Road in Surrey Hills, running on its own roasted beans and an owner who greets regulars, dogs included, by name. It opens 6:30am to 4pm every day of the week, which makes it one of the earlier coffee stops in Melbourne's east.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome on the footpath tables out front, and patrons regularly bring dogs along; staff are quick to put out fresh water and the owner has a soft spot for four-legged regulars. The strip sits on a busy stretch of Whitehorse Road, so a dog comfortable with foot traffic, prams and passing cars will do best here. Outdoor seating is limited, so weekday mornings before the 8am rush are the easiest window to land a table with a dog in tow. Bring your own bowl if your dog is fussy.

The coffee

This is a coffee-first cafe: house-roasted espresso and filter, including syphon service when you want to slow down, plus toasties, quiche and cakes. There is no full cooked menu, and bags of beans go home with the regulars. Oat lattes are a house staple.

Pepsi: Water bowl on arrival, pats from the owner, and the humans rave about the beans. Ten out of ten service.

Getting there

Free street parking runs along Whitehorse Road and the side streets, though it tightens up during the morning rush, and local buses run along the road. Surrey Gardens is a short walk for a post-coffee wander, and the Boisdale Street Reserve off-leash area gives dogs a proper run nearby. Steam Coffee Co on Union Road and Mason Lane Cafe over in Mont Albert cover the rest of the local circuit. Browse more dog friendly cafes in Victoria or the Surrey Hills guide.