Sole Waterfront Cafe

Sole Waterfront Cafe sits right on Corio Bay at the Fishermen's Pier site, at 74-90 Western Foreshore Road at the Yarra Street end of the Geelong waterfront. It is a casual fish and chips and seafood cafe with outdoor tables looking over the water, and it lands mid-way along the foreshore walking path that runs between Eastern Beach and Cunningham Pier, which makes it a natural refuel stop on a walk with the dog.

The dog setup

The outdoor seating on the waterfront side is where dogs go, and plenty of walkers stop here mid-foreshore with a dog in tow. Water bowls have been provided by staff at times, though visitor experiences vary with how busy it is, so carry your own collapsible bowl as a fallback. Keep your dog leashed and out of the walkway that runs past the tables, because the foreshore path carries a steady stream of bikes, prams and other dogs.

Worth knowing

The menu is classic seaside cafe fare: fish and chips, calamari, burgers, toasted sandwiches and coffee, with breakfast items available in the mornings. It is a counter-service spot rather than a fine dining room, so think quick feed with a bay view. Reviews are mixed, so set expectations accordingly and come for the location. A bonus for the humans: the Fishermen's Pier seafood restaurant shares the site if you want to return for a longer sit-down meal later.

Getting there and parking

The cafe is on Western Foreshore Road where it meets Yarra Street, a short walk from Geelong's CBD. Parking along the foreshore is paid and can fill quickly on sunny weekends; the bigger options near Eastern Beach Reserve and the city car parks are a few minutes' walk away. From the CBD, simply walk down Moorabool Street toward the water and turn west along the promenade.

Close by with the dogs

The waterfront boardwalk itself is the draw: an on-lead stroll past the bollards toward the carousel and Eastern Beach. Edge Geelong welcomes dogs at its outdoor tables a little further along, Sailors' Rest sits at the other end of the foreshore stretch, and the Fishermen's Pier restaurant on the same site covers the nicer occasions.

Max: Walked the whole foreshore, scored fish skin at a bay-view table, and watched seventeen bollards and two ignored seagulls.

More waterfront feeds are on the dog friendly restaurants in Victoria page, or browse Geelong.