Portarlington Grand Hotel

The Grand Hotel anchors the main street at Portarlington, the bayside town on the Bellarine Peninsula famous for its mussel fleet and its ferry link across to Docklands. The pub has been through a substantial renovation, and its dining now spreads across indoor bistro space plus a set of open air areas: the Atrium and the Lawn, which is where dogs come in. Reports from visitors and local dog directories describe a consistent welcome in those open air dining areas, with water bowls typically available.

The dog setup

The Atrium and Lawn areas give the hotel an outdoor offering that is more substantial than a footpath row of tables, which is what makes it the practical pick with a dog in tow. Because the dog welcome is a reported practice rather than a written policy on the venue's own pages, it is worth a quick word with staff as you arrive, particularly if you want a specific table. Dogs stay on lead, water bowls usually appear without asking, and the bistro menu covers the pub classics you would expect after a morning on the foreshore.

Worth knowing

Portarlington at peak times, especially summer weekends and any day the mussel boats are unloading, is busy, and the Grand sits on Newcombe Street in the middle of it. The hotel also runs renovated accommodation, so it does double duty as a pub lunch stop and a stay. Newcombe Street has parking along it and in the side streets, and the town's foreshore, pier and playground are all an easy walk, which rounds out a dog day out nicely.

For other meals in town, Chanceux Cucina is the other sit-down option, and if the Grand's rooms are booked, Bellarine Bayside Holiday Parks takes dogs for a caravan or cabin stay by the water. The full Portarlington shortlist, including beaches and walks, lives in the Portarlington guide.