Ploughmans

Ploughmans on Hovell Street is three things in one: a cafe, a picklery and a providore, sitting in Wodonga's cultural precinct with an undercover outdoor area where dogs are welcome. The shelves are stocked with North East Victoria producers, from Silver Creek sourdough to Gamilla olives, and the menu uses the same local produce. It is a genuine destination stop, not just a coffee hit.

The dog setup

Dogs join you in the undercover outdoor area, which you can reach straight from the street without walking through the indoor dining room. Staff often bring out a water bowl, but ask if you need one and carry your own as backup. Keep your dog settled at your feet; the entryway sees a steady flow of shoppers carrying providore bags and coffee cups.

What is on the menu

The kitchen is known for Reuben sandwiches and toasties on local sourdough, a strong vegetarian line-up and a much-praised carrot cake, with Frankie's pastries in the cabinet and Sixpence Coffee behind the machine. Kids get their own menu and portions run generous. Hours are Tuesday to Friday 7am to 2:30pm and Saturday to Sunday 7am to 2pm, closed Mondays, so it is breakfast and lunch only.

Getting there and parking

The address is 118 Hovell Street. Street parking is available nearby but can tighten up on weekdays, and the entrance and parking are wheelchair accessible.

Make a day of it

The Belvoir Park dog park is the standout off-leash run in Wodonga, fully fenced with agility runs and a separate section for timid dogs, a short drive from the cafe. For a leashed outing, the Gateway Island trails along the Murray River offer riverside walking paths a few minutes away, with spots for your dog to splash at the water's edge on a lead. Blind Freddy's Cafe is another dog-friendly Wodonga option if you are working through the town.

More options around the border city are on the Wodonga destination page, and the full list is in the VIC cafes index.