Steam coffee co

Steam Coffee Co is a small owner-run cafe at 131 Union Road in the Surrey Hills shopping strip, holding a loyal local crowd on the strength of its espresso. It roasts and retails its own beans, and the food runs from a chilli scramble and truffle mushrooms to toasted roti wraps and loaded blueberry muffins. For dog owners it is a weekday coffee stop with a genuine backyard to sit in, five minutes from the station.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating, including a cosy backyard area at the rear that keeps them off the busy footpath side of Union Road. Water for dogs is not confirmed on site, so bring your own bowl. The setup is casual rather than destination dining, and suits a dog settling for a short stop after a walk rather than a long brunch.

Worth knowing

Hours are 7am to 2pm Monday to Friday, closed on weekends, so plan around the working week. Go outside the breakfast rush if you want the backyard tables to yourself, since mornings bring a steady stream of regulars picking up beans and orders. Bags of the house roast are usually available if your coffee ritual extends past the cup.

Getting there and parking

Union Road is the main village strip in Surrey Hills and Surrey Hills station is a short walk away, which makes arriving on foot with a dog simple. Street parking runs along Union Road and the side streets such as Mont Albert Road, though it tightens at school pick-up and lunchtime.

Nearby with the dogs

Boisdale Street Reserve Dog Off Leash Area is the closest designated off-lead space, a small unfenced neighbourhood reserve, so recall matters at the edges. Gesha on the same strip is another dog friendly option, and Mason Lane Cafe in neighbouring Mont Albert extends the run.

The PawScapes guide to Surrey Hills and more dog friendly cafes in VIC cover the rest.

Max: a backyard at the back of a cafe is just a private lounge with better smells. I rate it five hydrants.