Vanilla Lounge

Vanilla Lounge is the institution of Eaton Mall, a Greek restaurant and cake house that runs from 7am to 11pm every day of the week and has fed Oakleigh for decades. The display cabinet of baklava, galaktoboureko and cakes is the first thing you meet, the Greek classics and moussaka keep the tables full through the day, and the outdoor tables along the mall are where dogs settle in with their owners.

Dogs at Vanilla Lounge

Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables along Eaton Mall according to BringFido, which lists the venue as pet friendly, and reviewers regularly note staff bringing water bowls out for canine guests. As third party reports rather than a written house policy, the usual etiquette applies: leash on, dog clear of the waiters' path between the kitchen and the mall tables. The upside of a venue this size is space, since the outdoor section spreads wider than most cafes can offer, and service continues straight through the day.

The all day hours change what a visit can be. Early coffee and cake with the dog before the mall wakes up, a long Greek lunch through the afternoon, or a late dinner after an evening walk are all realistic here, which few dog friendly stops in the precinct can match. Saganaki and moussaka anchor the savoury menu, and nobody leaves without something from the cabinet. Upstairs seating exists for busier service, but dog owners will want the ground floor outdoor tables.

Make a day of it

Eaton Mall makes combining stops easy. Neighbouring dog friendly options include Binny'z Pizza & Cafe, Dalgety's Cafe and Ambrosia Cafe, and Jack Edwards Reserve Dog Off Leash Area is close enough for a proper run before dinner. The Oakleigh guide and the Victorian dog friendly cafe list cover the wider area.