Kirks on the Esplanade

Kirks on the Esplanade is the long-running waterfront pub at 774 Esplanade, Mornington, directly opposite Mornington Park with a clear run of views over Port Phillip Bay and Schnapper Point. It is a relaxed bistro-and-bar operation rather than a fine-dining room, and the outdoor seating makes it a dependable bay-side lunch or dinner with the dog after a foreshore walk.

The dog setup

Dogs on leads are welcome in the outdoor seating and sun deck areas, settled beside your table with the bay or the street in front of you. They are not permitted in the indoor dining room, so this is a fine-weather plan first and foremost. Bring your own water bowl; staff are accommodating but bowls and treats are not a guaranteed fixture. Keep the lead out of the shared foreshore path that passes the front.

Worth knowing

The menu leans on pub classics and seafood: chicken parma, fish and chips, seafood platters to share, aged steaks and wood-fired pizzas, backed by a full drinks list. Doors open from 10am daily, running late most nights, with the kitchen serving through the middle of the day to evening. Weekend dinner is the busy window, so book if you want a specific outdoor table.

Getting there and parking

Esplanade street parking is limited, especially on weekends, but the Mornington Park car park across the road and the municipal carparks off Main Street are both an easy walk. The whole park, pier and beach precinct is dog-walkable from the front door.

Close by with the dogs

Mornington Park sits directly opposite for an on-lead grassy wander, and the pier and foreshore trail run right past. For off-lead time, Royal Beach dog off-leash area is a short walk south along the Esplanade, and Fossil Beach is a little further for a quieter stretch.

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

Max: do the off-lead swim at Royal Beach first, then cross the road. A salty, tired dog settles far better under a bistro table.