Brighton Schoolhouse

Brighton Schoolhouse occupies a converted 1843 school building near the corner of St Andrews and Church Streets, and it has grown into one of Bayside's busiest all-day brunch destinations. For dog owners the draw is the covered outdoor courtyard: a shaded, undercover area where leashed dogs are welcome while you work through a menu that runs from chilli eggs and baked eggs to burgers and waffles.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the outdoor courtyard and undercover seating, not in the indoor dining rooms. The courtyard is shaded, and water bowls are provided, which makes it a comfortable choice through a Melbourne summer. Keep your dog on-leash and by your table, and be mindful of the tight passing room when the courtyard fills on weekends.

The kitchen covers all-day breakfast through to mid-afternoon service, with smoothies, salads and a wide spread of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options alongside the coffee, which regulars consistently call smooth. Open every day, 7:30am to 4pm.

Getting there and parking

The address is 15 St Andrews Street, Brighton. Free street parking runs along St Andrews and Church Streets, and Middle Brighton Station is a short walk away if you are coming in on the Sandringham line.

Close by with the dogs

Church Street's shop strip suits a post-brunch on-leash stroll, and Middle Brighton Beach on the Esplanade has designated off-leash access - restricted to before 10am and after 7:30pm during the daylight savings months, per Bayside City Council. If you want a proper run rather than a leash walk, Elsternwick Park's Lakeside Green and the fenced William Street Reserve dog park are both within a few minutes' drive.

Max: the courtyard water bowl was refilled without asking, and the chilli eggs made the trip worth it.