Mr Vincenzo's

Mr Vincenzo's is a 1970s-styled coastal Italian restaurant and wine bar at 784 Esplanade, Mornington, just off Main Street and overlooking Mornington Park and the bay. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables, which puts a waterfront dinner with your dog on the table as long as you book the right spot.

The dog setup

Leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area only; the indoor dining room is off limits. Ask for an outdoor table when you book, and leave a note that you are bringing a dog so the team seats you correctly. Your dog stays on lead beside the table. Staff may bring a water bowl on request, but this is a busy dinner service, so bring your own to be sure.

The food

The kitchen makes pasta in house daily, with sharing plates such as arancini and lamb ribs alongside a wine list heavy on Mornington Peninsula producers. Service runs from 5:30pm Monday, Thursday and Friday, to 11pm Saturday, plus Sunday lunch from noon to 3pm; Tuesday and Wednesday are closed. Weekend dinners fill early, so book ahead rather than rolling up with a dog and hoping.

Max: parked under an outdoor table while the spaghetti bowls kept landing. Ten out of ten people-watching.

Getting there and parking

The Esplanade runs along the Mornington foreshore, with council parking areas behind the beachfront and side streets off Main Street a short walk away. Weekend evenings and Sunday lunch are the busiest windows. Allow a few extra minutes on fine weekends because the foreshore car parks fill with boat trailers and beachgoers.

Close by with the dogs

Burn off dinner beforehand at the Royal Beach dog off leash area, run it off again the next morning at Civic Reserve fenced dog park, or keep it simple with a pint at The Dubliner Inn.

An outdoor table here is a proper occasion dinner with the dog rather than a quick feed, so plan it as one.