The Dava Hotel

The Dava Hotel sits on the Mount Martha Esplanade directly opposite the beach, and for dog owners the important part is the lower outdoor deck: bench seating under umbrellas, Port Phillip Bay views and a straightforward pub menu of parmas, grilled fish and seafood. The beach is across the road, so a swim and a meal pair easily on this stretch of the Mornington Peninsula.

The dog setup

Dogs are welcome in the designated outdoor areas, which means the lower-level deck and seating. The main bistro inside is off-limits to pets, so this is a sit-outside venue in every sense. Leads stay on, and the deck runs along the Esplanade, so keep your dog settled back from the roadside edge. Water bowls appear at some tables but are not guaranteed, so bring a portable one, especially on hot afternoons.

Max: The deck is right beside a busy road, so keep the lead short and your dog away from the steps down to the bistro.

The vibe

This is a family-leaning pub rather than a quiet one: there is a sports bar, a kids playground and a top deck that trades on the view. The kitchen does the classics, with the chicken parma and fish and chips the usual orders. Doors open at 10am and the venue runs to 1am daily, so the deck works for lunch, dinner or an early evening beer.

Getting there and parking

The Dava is at 614 Esplanade, Mount Martha, with free on-site parking. The beach across the road has seasonal dog restrictions, so check the Mornington Peninsula Shire signage for where dogs can go at the time of year you visit.

Make a day of it

Hawker Beach is a short drive south for a sheltered bay swim, and the fenced leash-free area in Mount Martha gives your dog a proper run before you settle in on the deck. Via Battisti does morning coffee nearby if you are in early, and the boardwalk at The Briars is a short drive inland for an on-lead stretch.

More dog-friendly eating spots across the state are in the guide to dog-friendly restaurants in Victoria, and the local guide to Mount Martha covers the rest of the foreshore.