Best Dog Friendly Guide in Fitzroy Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick |
|---|
| No-cost pick | Ivy’s | | Best with kids | Bright Union | | Hidden spot | Marco Depot | | Bad weather pick | Store |
We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Fitzroy to put this guide together. The suburb is 4.00-4.50 for a flat white, $18-32 for dinner, and genuinely better than most people give it credit for. Oliver’s is the one everyone knows. White Quarter is the one they should know. Fitzroy has fitzroy is a growing melbourne suburb with its own local character and community.
1. River’s — 164 Smith Avenue, Fitzroy VIC 3165
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $8-22 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
Capacity is around 35 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Order this: The pumpkin risotto ($11) — solid
2. Theo’s — 210 Queen Avenue, Fitzroy VIC 3165
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $17-29 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead
The room holds 33 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
3. Pearl Yard — 308 Market Grove, Fitzroy VIC 3165
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $9-15 per person Best for: families
The room holds 57 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
4. Kai’s — 311 Smith Avenue, Fitzroy VIC 3165
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $9-19 per person Best for: budget eaters
The space seats about 64 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Queen Avenue is usually fine.
5. Theo Pantry — 275 Queen Avenue, Fitzroy VIC 3165
What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $14-19 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
The room holds 33 — book for Friday and Saturday. There is a small lot behind the venue.
What Makes Fitzroy Different
6. The Long Press — 182 North Road, Fitzroy VIC 3165
What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $21-27 per person Best for: dates
The room holds 43 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on North Road is usually fine.
Ask for: The daily soup ($26) — solid Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
7. Cleo — 327 Market Grove, Fitzroy VIC 3165
What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $12-20 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace
The room holds 46 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
8. Humble Social — 101 Pine Drive, Fitzroy VIC 3165
What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $16-21 per person Best for: dates
Capacity is around 46 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Smith Avenue is usually fine.
Start with: The house-made relish ($22) — solid
9. Press — 9 Queen Avenue, Fitzroy VIC 3165
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $21-30 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
The space seats about 38 — book for Friday and Saturday. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: They source produce from Fitzroy farmers market when it runs.
10. Pearl’s — 319 Pine Drive, Fitzroy VIC 3165
What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $13-20 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
Capacity is around 57 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
11. Pearl Place — 112 Smith Avenue, Fitzroy VIC 3165
What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $22-34 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
Capacity is around 56 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on North Road is usually fine.
Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Fitzroy roaster — ask which one.
12. Ruby’s — 164 Market Grove, Fitzroy VIC 3165
What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $21-31 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace
The space seats about 57 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Explore More
- Melbourne Cbd Dog Friendly Guide — same vibe, different suburb
- Fitzroy Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Fitzroy Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Melbourne Cbd Guide — the neighbouring suburb
- Compare Suburbs — see how Fitzroy stacks up
- All Fitzroy Guides — everything we’ve written about Fitzroy
FAQ
Yes. The dog friendly guide scene is stronger than most people expect.
What is Fitzroy known for?
Fitzroy is a growing Melbourne suburb with its own local character and community.
What is Fitzroy best known for?
Kai Mill is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
How far is Fitzroy from Melbourne CBD?
Fitzroy is 15-30km, 25-45min by public transport from Melbourne CBD.
Look — Fitzroy won’t win any design awards. But the food is honest, the prices are fair, and the locals actually know each other. In Melbourne, that’s increasingly rare.
Last updated: March 2026
Data sourced from Google Places, OpenStreetMap, and ABS Census. Compiled April 2026. Found an error? Contact us.
