Brass Monkey

Brass Monkey is a brunch cafe in a century-old heritage warehouse at 149 Eighth Street, central Mildura, with a reputation for creative plates and serious coffee. It suits dog owners in a specific way: the pavement tables along Eighth Street are where you and your dog eat, and they are good tables.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome at the footpath seating out front, on lead and settled beside your chair. The indoor dining room is a health-regulated kitchen space, so it stays people only. Eighth Street carries steady traffic and foot traffic, so this suits a dog that relaxes in a busy spot. Bring a portable water bowl rather than counting on one being free, and keep your dog clear of the kerb line.

On the plate

The kitchen works in share-style brunch plates and indulgent sweets, with chilli scrambled eggs, hot honey benedict and the Dubai chocolate French toast among the dishes people order again. There are gluten free options across the menu, and coffee is part of the draw. Hours run 7:30am to about 2:30pm, Wednesday to Sunday, with Monday and Tuesday closed, so this is a breakfast-and-lunch stop rather than dinner.

Getting there and parking

It sits mid-block on Eighth Street in the Mildura CityHeart. On-street parking runs along the block but fills through the morning, and the CityHeart car parks a street or two back are the reliable backup.

Close by with the dogs

Langtree Mall is a couple of blocks away but council rules keep dogs on lead there, so for a real run head to the riverfront: Rio Vista fenced dog park on Hugh King Drive is on the Murray with separate enclosures for large and small dogs, agility gear and water fountains. Weekday mid-morning is the calmest window for a footpath table; weekend brunch is the busy stretch and the pavement seats are limited. More options are on the Mildura guide.