Best Dog Friendly Guide in Ivanhoe East Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Best overall | Store |
| Best free option | Luna Mill |
| Best for families | Ruby Depot |
| Best local secret | River Store |
| Best for rainy days | Cleo Table |
We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Ivanhoe East 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. Iris’s is the one everyone knows. Old Commons is the one they should know. Ivanhoe East has ivanhoe east is a growing melbourne suburb with its own local character and community.
1. The Tall Press — 77 Rowan Grove, Ivanhoe East VIC 3187
What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $10-23 per person Best for: remote workers
Capacity is around 47 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Rowan Grove is usually fine.
Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
2. Nico’s — 169 Rowan Grove, Ivanhoe East VIC 3187
What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $18-23 per person Best for: budget eaters
The space seats about 63 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
3. Mill — 94 Young Crescent, Ivanhoe East VIC 3187
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $15-21 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
The room holds 32 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Young Crescent is usually fine.
Go for: The mushroom pasta ($19) — solid
4. Sol — 90 Pine Parade, Ivanhoe East VIC 3187
What it is: A local institution Cost: $10-15 per person Best for: the whole crew
The space seats about 56 with outdoor seating for another 15. There is a small lot behind the venue.
5. Otto Commons — 335 Rowan Grove, Ivanhoe East VIC 3187
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $20-27 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy
The space seats about 33 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Worth knowing: The sourdough bread ($25) — solid Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.
Ivanhoe East — The Honest Version
6. Lucky Corner — 322 Elm Lane, Ivanhoe East VIC 3187
What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $13-25 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book
The room holds 38 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Ask for: The pumpkin risotto ($18) — solid
7. The Green Works — 264 Elm Lane, Ivanhoe East VIC 3187
What it is: A quiet achiever Cost: $18-28 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
The room holds 56 and fills on weekends. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
8. Cleo — 103 Elm Lane, Ivanhoe East VIC 3187
What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $17-25 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird
The space seats about 34 — book for Friday and Saturday. Street parking on Pine Parade is usually fine.
Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
9. Nina — 58 Pine Parade, Ivanhoe East VIC 3187
What it is: A local institution Cost: $11-16 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace
The room holds 47 and fills on weekends. Street parking on Elm Lane is usually fine.
10. Ruby Standard — 273 Elm Lane, Ivanhoe East VIC 3187
What it is: No-frills excellence Cost: $12-22 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
Capacity is around 55 and fills on weekends. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Get the: The lamb shoulder ($15) — solid Insider tip: They source produce from Ivanhoe East farmers market when it runs.
11. Ash Depot — 293 Queen Place, Ivanhoe East VIC 3187
What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $11-20 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop
Capacity is around 43 with outdoor seating for another 15. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
12. Cleo’s — 1 Pine Parade, Ivanhoe East VIC 3187
What it is: The one regulars swear by Cost: $13-24 per person Best for: solo diners
Capacity is around 36 with outdoor seating for another 15. Street parking on Young Crescent is usually fine.
Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
Explore More
- Melbourne Cbd Dog Friendly Guide — same vibe, different suburb
- Ivanhoe East Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Ivanhoe East Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Melbourne Cbd Guide — the neighbouring suburb
- Compare Suburbs — see how Ivanhoe East stacks up
- All Ivanhoe East Guides — everything we’ve written about Ivanhoe East
FAQ
Yes. The dog friendly guide scene is stronger than most people expect.
What is Ivanhoe East known for?
Ivanhoe East is a growing Melbourne suburb with its own local character and community.
What is Ivanhoe East best known for?
Store is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
How far is Ivanhoe East from Melbourne CBD?
Ivanhoe East is 15-30km, 25-45min by public transport from Melbourne CBD.
If you’re comparing Ivanhoe East to inner-city options, stop. Different league, different game. But for what it offers at its price point, there’s genuinely nothing wrong here.
Last updated: March 2026
