The Cross - St Kilda

The Cross is a Scottish-themed pub at 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, doing haggis, Sunday roasts and Tennent's lager on tap a block back from the beach. Dogs are welcome on the undercover front patio, which matters on Fitzroy Street because the footpath traffic never really stops.

The dog setup

Dogs take the covered outdoor patio tables out front, leashed and settled beside your table. Inside is off limits, and the patio is first-in during busy sessions, so book ahead for weekend afternoons if you want to guarantee a spot. Staff are used to dogs and water bowls have been put out for visiting pups; carry a spare bowl for busy nights anyway.

Max: A proper pub with proper chips, and I got to supervise a Sunday roast from the best seat on Fitzroy Street.

Worth knowing

The kitchen leans into the Scottish side of the theme: the Tennent's Scottish Pie, a 300g grass-fed porterhouse, traditional Sunday roasts with beef, lamb and vegetarian options, and sticky toffee pudding to finish. Weekly specials run through the week, with pie and a pot on Tuesdays, steak night on Thursdays and roast Sundays, and live music lands most weekends. Doors open from 4pm Monday to Thursday, midday Friday and 11am on weekends, running late each night.

Getting there and parking

Fitzroy Street is the main strip between St Kilda Road and the seafront. The route 96 tram stops nearby and it is a 15 minute walk along the foreshore from the light rail. Street parking on Fitzroy Street and the side streets runs on metered St Kilda rules, so check signs; weeknights after 6pm are easier than weekends.

Close by with the dogs

The foreshore puts several dog beaches within walking distance: St Kilda Beach dog off-leash area sits to the north and St Kilda West allows off-leash dogs around the clock year-round, while in winter dogs can run off-leash on most City of Port Phillip beaches. The Dogs Bar on Acland Street is the other obvious dog-friendly drink stop.

More of the area is on the St Kilda destination page, and the wider list sits under dog friendly restaurants in VIC.