Era Ora Mornington Restaurant Cafe

Era Ora, taking its name from the Italian for 'about time', is a cosy all-day brunch cafe at Shop 10, 784 Esplanade, Mornington, opposite the park near the bottom end of Main Street. It pours Little Rebel coffee, bakes its own cakes and cheesecakes, and runs an all-day brunch menu built on local produce, which makes it a natural coffee stop on a foreshore walk with the dog.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor and footpath tables on a lead beside you; the indoor dining room stays dog-free. The cafe sits along a relaxed pedestrian stretch opposite the park, so settling a dog at the table is easy. Water bowls are not advertised, so bring a portable bowl for a quick drink.

The vibe

The menu runs from eggs benedict and waffles to house-made gnocchi at lunch, with generous portions and efficient service behind its strong local rating. It is licensed for BYO wine, and the cake cabinet is genuinely worth a look. Hours are 8am to 3pm Wednesday to Sunday, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Getting there and parking

Street parking runs along the Esplanade, and the Main Street car parks are a short walk if the kerb is full. Weekday mornings are the calmest time for a visit with a dog.

Close by with the dogs

Mornington Park and the foreshore are right across the way for an on-lead stroll, and Royal Beach Dog Off Leash Area is a short stroll south, leash-free at all times between the bowling club and Flinders Drive. Elsewhere on the foreshore, dogs go back on lead within 20 metres of playgrounds and picnic areas, and some swimming beaches carry summer prohibitions, so check the signs. For another coffee option, HomeGround Coffee is up on the Main Street side of town, and the fenced Civic Reserve Fenced Dog Park is a short drive inland.

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