The Birch Geelong

The Birch is a light-filled cafe on Pakington Street in Newtown, at number 359, and it is one of the more deliberately dog-friendly venues in Geelong. It runs a proper dog menu, puts out complimentary water and has an outdoor courtyard built for dogs to lounge alongside you. If you want a brunch where the dog is treated as a guest rather than tolerated, this is the pick of the strip.

The dog setup. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor courtyard, a relaxed, cosy space designed to let a dog stretch out at your feet. Self-serve still and sparkling water is free and available for pets, so you are not reliant on a single shared bowl. There is also an outdoor playground, which makes it a genuine family-and-dog spot rather than one or the other.

The dog menu. The kitchen runs a separate menu for dogs, including a five-dollar doggocino, so your dog gets its own order rather than table scraps. It is a small touch that tells you the place actually plans for dogs.

Good to know. The food is Asian-fusion brunch, think beef rendang eggs benedict and kaya French toast, and the room sometimes shifts to a restaurant service in the evening. It is open daily except Tuesdays, early through mid-afternoon, so check hours if you are planning an evening visit.

Getting there. Street parking is on Pakington Street and the side streets, but Pakington gets busy on weekend mornings, so allow time to find a spot. It is an easy walk once you are in Newtown.

Nearby with the dogs. Pakington Street is a natural on-lead stroll past other dog-friendly cafes, and the Barwon River tracks are a short trip away for a longer, scenic walk before or after you eat.

Weekends are busy and the courtyard fills, so book or arrive early. Midweek, minus Tuesdays, is the calm run if you want the courtyard to yourselves.

Sources

• The Birch Geelong · visitgeelongbellarine.com.au
• The Birch Geelong (@thebirch_cafe) - Instagram · instagram.com
• Newtown cafe The Birch brings Asian fusion dining to Geelong · geelongadvertiser.com.au

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.