Dog-Friendly Cafes in Bayswater Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every dog friendly cafes option in Bayswater to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Oliver’s is the one everyone knows. Hugo is the sleeper. Prices are reasonable — coffee at $4.00-4.50, dinner at $18-32. Sits along Mountain Highway with emerging cafe scene. Bayswater sits in the Outer East corridor, 24-35km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the dog friendly cafes scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Bayswater since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. Mabel’s — 58 Young Street, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $16-27 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

Mabel’s has been operating in Bayswater for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($19) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 32 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Park Lane is usually fine.

Order this: The lamb shoulder ($18) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

2. Ava — 9 Park Lane, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A solid local spot Cost: $11-21 per person Best for: families

Ava has been operating in Bayswater for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($13) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 60 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Park Lane is usually fine.

Try this: The daily soup ($13) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

3. Corner — 295 Swan Road, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $12-27 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet

Corner has been operating in Bayswater for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($13) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 44 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Go for: The charcuterie board ($17) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

4. The Sunny Room — 149 Young Street, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) The one that surprised us Cost: $19-34 per person Best for: dates

The Sunny Room has been operating in Bayswater for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($23) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 55 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Swan Road is usually fine.

Don’t miss: The daily soup ($21) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

5. Luna’s — 313 Swan Road, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) No-frills excellence Cost: $11-21 per person Best for: dates

Luna’s has been operating in Bayswater for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($16) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 32 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Worth knowing: The seasonal special ($16) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on Swan Street after 6pm.

6. Bench — 235 Young Street, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) The one regulars swear by Cost: $12-20 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet

Bench has been operating in Bayswater for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($13) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 32 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Lake Avenue is usually fine.

Ask for: The fish special ($15) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Bayswater roaster — ask which one.

Why Locals Stay in Bayswater

Sits along Mountain Highway with emerging cafe scene. Industrial precinct provides local employment. The dog friendly cafes options here reflect Bayswater’s character. For Bayswater locals and anyone in the area, you’ll find that the suburb rewards people who actually explore beyond the main strip. Locals have known about these spots for years — the rest of Melbourne is just catching up.

7. Green Mill — 75 Bay Street, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A solid local spot Cost: $13-18 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

Green Mill has been operating in Bayswater for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($16) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 34 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Book ahead for: The lamb shoulder ($19) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

8. The Old Commons — 28 Lake Avenue, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) No-frills excellence Cost: $13-22 per person Best for: dates

The Old Commons has been operating in Bayswater for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($17) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 44 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Start with: The lamb shoulder ($17) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

9. River House — 295 Swan Road, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) The one that surprised us Cost: $21-35 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd

River House has been operating in Bayswater for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($21) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The space seats about 58 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Come back for: The crispy chicken ($27) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They source produce from Bayswater farmers market when it runs.

10. Atlas’s — 215 Young Street, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A local institution Cost: $22-35 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd

Atlas’s has been operating in Bayswater for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($24) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

Capacity is around 60 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Swan Road is usually fine.

Get the: The seasonal special ($26) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Parking is free on Swan Street after 6pm.

11. Kitchen — 341 Bay Street, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A quiet achiever Cost: $14-28 per person Best for: groups

Kitchen has been operating in Bayswater for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($16) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 63 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Lake Avenue is usually fine.

Order this: The seasonal special ($18) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They source produce from Bayswater farmers market when it runs.

12. Blue Press — 277 Swan Road, Bayswater VIC 3166

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A solid local spot Cost: $21-27 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Blue Press has been operating in Bayswater for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($24) is what most regulars order, and for good reason — it’s done with genuine care rather than production-line efficiency. The menu changes quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 43 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Young Street is usually fine.

Try this: The charcuterie board ($25) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They source produce from Bayswater farmers market when it runs.

Explore More

• Chirnside Park Dog Friendly Cafes — same vibe, different suburb
• Bayswater Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Bayswater Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Bayswater Complete Guide — everything about Bayswater
• Compare Suburbs — see how Bayswater stacks up
• All Bayswater Guides — everything we’ve written

FAQ

What are the best dog friendly cafes options in Bayswater?

Iris’s is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Bayswater good for dog friendly cafes?

Yes. Bayswater has 12+ genuine options. The scene is established and well worth exploring.

What is Bayswater known for?

Sits along Mountain Highway with emerging cafe scene.

How far is Bayswater from Melbourne CBD?

Bayswater is 24-35km, 35-52min train, 28-40min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Bayswater isn’t trying to be the next Fitzroy. It doesn’t need to be. What it does, it does with zero pretension and real substance. That’s worth more than a trendy postcode.

Last updated: March 2026