The Birhaa Garden

The Birhaa Garden is a no-frills Hyderabadi restaurant at 135 Jukes Road in Fawkner, in Melbourne's north, and the portions are the whole point. The saffron dum biryanis, slow-cooked haleem and chicken 65 come out big, fresh and affordable, and the menu runs from South Indian tiffin plates like idli and dosa through to mutton karahi and garlic prawns. It is casual enough that settling in with the dog beside your table is not a stretch.

The dog setup

The restaurant is listed as pet friendly on dining directories, which puts it among the few Fawkner eateries that flag dogs at all. The exact arrangement is not published, so call ahead on (03) 9100 3471 and ask where they would like you to sit; the footpath-side tables are the usual answer at places like this. Keep your dog leashed and settled close by, and bring your own water bowl since none is confirmed on site.

Worth knowing

Hours are steady and generous: noon to 10pm, every day of the week, which makes this an easy early-dinner stop before the evening walk. The kitchen also does delivery through the major apps, but the eat-in experience is the reason to come: food freshly prepared to order, and a menu that covers Hyderabadi classics most of Melbourne's northern suburbs have to drive a long way for. If haleem is on when you visit, it is the dish regulars order first.

Getting there and parking

Fawkner sits north of Coburg along Sydney Road's eastern side, and Jukes Road runs through the middle of the shopping strip. On-street parking is available along Jukes Road and the surrounding residential streets, and bus routes along Bonwick Street put you within a short walk. It is about 40 minutes from the CBD by car, less by train to Fawkner station followed by a walk up the hill.

Close by with the dogs

Moomba Park Dog Park down by Merri Creek is the closest proper off-lead run, and Charles Mutton Reserve Dog Off Leash Area is handy if you want a quicker leg-stretch. For a coffee stop in the same strip, G'S Kebab does the daytime shift.

Max: Mutton biryani big enough to share, and I got the chicken 65 crusty bits while lying under the table like a professional.

Browse more dog friendly restaurants in Victoria, or see what else is happening in Fawkner.