Honey Cafe

Honey Cafe is an espresso and Italian dessert bar on the Watsonia shopping strip in Melbourne's north-east, with outdoor tables looking over the town square. It has a warm local following, and the square-side seating makes it one of the easier coffee stops in the suburb to bring a dog along.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables facing the town square, on a lead beside your chair. Staff are known for making a fuss of visiting dogs and will usually bring out a water bowl without being asked. The square gets steady foot traffic through the morning, so a dog that settles under a table will be more comfortable than one that wants to greet everyone. Indoor seating is for people.

On the plate

The coffee runs on Allpress beans, and the cabinet leans Italian: generous cakes and desserts, plus a brunch menu that regulars tie to the pistachio croissant in particular. It opens 7am weekdays and 7:30am weekends through to mid-afternoon, which suits a pre-work coffee or a square-side brunch equally.

Getting there and parking

Find it at 4 Morwell Ave, near the Watsonia RSL and the town square. Free parking is available in the surrounding streets, and Watsonia station is a short walk away if you are arriving by train with the dog on a lead.

While you are out there

The square itself is a pleasant on-lead potter, and Watsonia Dog Park is a few minutes away if your dog needs a proper run before or after. Mr Martins on Lambourn Road is the other local dog-friendly pick for a second visit.

More choices are on the VIC dog friendly cafes guide and the Watsonia destination page.