True South

True South is a bayside brewery and taphouse at 298 Beach Road in Black Rock, directly opposite the foreshore. House-brewed beer and cider come with Argentine-inspired cooking: lamb shoulder, kingfish tacos, calamari and tapas-style plates, all with the bay across the road. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating, which makes this one of the better sunny-day rewards after a walk along the Beach Road path.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables facing Beach Road and the water, on a lead and settled close to the table. The main indoor restaurant stays people-only, and entry to the pet-friendly side is direct from the street rather than through the dining room. It is worth mentioning you are bringing a dog when booking a table through the venue or OpenTable so staff set you up outside, and water bowls are not a given, so pack your own.

The vibe

The beer list is the headline for many reviewers, backed by a solid wine and cider selection, and the bay view does the rest. It runs to a lively pace on weekends and warm evenings, with the sunset outlook a recurring theme in reviews. Weekday afternoons are the calmer window if you want a quieter outdoor table with the dog.

Getting there and parking

Hours run from midday, 12pm to 11pm Tuesday to Sunday, with Monday from 3pm, so it works for lunch as well as dinner. Free street parking is generally findable on Beach Road and the residential streets behind, though it tightens up on sunny weekends, and the venue is a straightforward walk from Black Rock village.

Close by with the dogs

Black Rock Beach dog off leash area is across the road for a proper run either side of a meal, and Half Moon Bay is the next cove down. The Colonel's Son, opposite the clock tower, has a dog-friendly courtyard for the coffee end of the day, and Brighton Jetty Bakery is up the coast.

More options are on the Victoria dog friendly restaurants guide and the Black Rock destination page.