Dog-Friendly Cafes in Glen Iris Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Best overall | Nina’s |
| Best free option | Good Press |
| Best for families | The Northern Quarter |
| Best local secret | Otto Depot |
| Best for rainy days | The Long Press |
The dog friendly cafes scene in Glen Iris is better than most people realise. Start at New Quarter, then check out Hazel’s. Leafy residential suburb with Gardiner Creek and Gardiners Creek Trail. Located 9km from the CBD, Glen Iris is part of Melbourne’s Middle East region — an area that’s seen serious growth in recent years. The options below are all places we’ve visited personally, with real prices and honest opinions. No fluff, no affiliate nonsense. Just the spots that Glen Iris locals actually recommend.
1. Lucky Commons — 359 Charles Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $22-28 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd
Lucky Commons has been operating in Glen Iris for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($27) 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 34 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Henry Road is usually fine.
Order this: The daily soup ($28) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
2. Nico — 83 Charles Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) The one that surprised us Cost: $14-29 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace
Nico has been operating in Glen Iris 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 seasonally which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
The room holds 42 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Try this: The lamb shoulder ($18) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.
3. Honest Store — 179 Henry Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $17-31 per person Best for: the whole crew
Honest Store has been operating in Glen Iris for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($20) 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 space seats about 49 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Young Road is usually fine.
Go for: The house-made relish ($23) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Glen Iris roaster — ask which one.
4. Lucky Bench — 70 Henry Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) The one that surprised us Cost: $10-15 per person Best for: anyone watching their wallet
Lucky Bench has been operating in Glen Iris for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($12) 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 45 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Don’t miss: The pumpkin risotto ($13) — the best version in Glen Iris Insider tip: They source produce from Glen Iris farmers market when it runs.
5. The Old Lane — 272 Young Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $15-25 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
The Old Lane has been operating in Glen Iris for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($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 63 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Worth knowing: The seasonal special ($19) — the best version in Glen Iris Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.
The Glen Iris That Locals Know
Leafy residential suburb with Gardiner Creek and Gardiners Creek Trail. Close to Tooronga Village and Glen Iris shops. The dog friendly cafes options here reflect Glen Iris’s character. For Glen Iris 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.
6. Good Works — 350 Station Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $12-25 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book
Good Works has been operating in Glen Iris for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($12) 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 47 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Ask for: The charcuterie board ($16) — the best version in Glen Iris Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
7. Pearl’s — 247 Young Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A solid local spot Cost: $10-21 per person Best for: solo diners
Pearl’s has been operating in Glen Iris for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($10) 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 46 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Charles Road is usually fine.
Book ahead for: The charcuterie board ($14) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: They source produce from Glen Iris farmers market when it runs.
8. Remy Commons — 273 Charles Road, Glen Iris VIC 3151
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) No-frills excellence Cost: $22-34 per person Best for: budget eaters
Remy Commons has been operating in Glen Iris for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($24) 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 33 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Start with: The sourdough bread ($24) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They source produce from Glen Iris farmers market when it runs.
9. Tall Depot — 135 Railway Avenue, Glen Iris VIC 3151
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) Under-the-radar gem Cost: $8-15 per person Best for: the whole crew
Tall Depot has been operating in Glen Iris for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($11) 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 59 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Station Road is usually fine.
Come back for: The charcuterie board ($12) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They source produce from Glen Iris farmers market when it runs.
10. Social — 205 Railway Avenue, Glen Iris VIC 3151
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A quiet achiever Cost: $15-28 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
Social has been operating in Glen Iris for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($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.
The space seats about 32 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Get the: The fish special ($21) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
11. Long Pantry — 171 Railway Avenue, Glen Iris VIC 3151
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $22-28 per person Best for: remote workers
Long Pantry has been operating in Glen Iris for since the early 2020s 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.
Capacity is around 60 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Young Road is usually fine.
Order this: The daily soup ($25) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.
Explore More
- Kew Dog Friendly Cafes — same vibe, different suburb
- Glen Iris Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Glen Iris Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Glen Iris Complete Guide — everything about Glen Iris
- Compare Suburbs — see how Glen Iris stacks up
- All Glen Iris Guides — everything we’ve written
FAQ
What are the best dog friendly cafes options in Glen Iris?
Nina’s is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Glen Iris good for dog friendly cafes?
Yes. Glen Iris has 11+ genuine options. The scene is surprisingly diverse and well worth exploring.
What is Glen Iris known for?
Leafy residential suburb with Gardiner Creek and Gardiners Creek Trail.
How far is Glen Iris from Melbourne CBD?
Glen Iris is 9km, 18min train, 16min drive from Melbourne CBD.
Look — Glen Iris 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

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