Dog-Friendly Cafes in Nunawading Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every dog friendly cafes option in Nunawading to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Nina is the one everyone knows. Lucky Kitchen is the sleeper. Prices are competitive — coffee at $4.00-4.50, dinner at $18-32. Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station. Nunawading 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 Nunawading since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. Remy Depot — 261 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) Worth the detour Cost: $13-24 per person Best for: groups

Remy Depot has been operating in Nunawading for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($14) 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 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Order this: The charcuterie board ($17) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Nunawading roaster — ask which one.

2. Bright Commons — 305 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A quiet achiever Cost: $11-20 per person Best for: solo diners

Bright Commons has been operating in Nunawading for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($15) 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 62 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Try this: The fish special ($16) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

3. Ava Standard — 300 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A solid local spot Cost: $17-24 per person Best for: dates

Ava Standard has been operating in Nunawading for several years 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.

The space seats about 42 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Go for: The seasonal special ($19) — the best version in Nunawading Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

4. Corner — 141 Barkly Crescent, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A solid local spot Cost: $18-27 per person Best for: budget eaters

Corner has been operating in Nunawading for several years 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 monthly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 64 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Don’t miss: The lamb shoulder ($23) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Nunawading roaster — ask which one.

5. Sunny Place — 200 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) Worth the detour Cost: $8-19 per person Best for: groups

Sunny Place has been operating in Nunawading for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($9) 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 37 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Worth knowing: The daily soup ($13) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

6. Sol’s — 340 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A quiet achiever Cost: $19-24 per person Best for: solo diners

Sol’s has been operating in Nunawading for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($19) 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 52 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Bourke Road is usually fine.

Ask for: The crispy chicken ($21) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Nunawading roaster — ask which one.

The Nunawading That Locals Know

Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station. Eastern suburbs retail corridor. The dog friendly cafes options here reflect Nunawading’s character. If you’re living in or near Nunawading, 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. Lena — 320 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) The one that surprised us Cost: $12-23 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Lena has been operating in Nunawading for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($15) 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 61 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Book ahead for: The mushroom pasta ($18) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

8. Leo Post — 330 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) Reliable all-rounder Cost: $20-27 per person Best for: the whole crew

Leo Post has been operating in Nunawading for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($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.

The space seats about 48 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Bourke Road is usually fine.

Start with: The house-made relish ($25) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.

9. Lane — 169 Willow Grove, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) Worth the detour Cost: $17-30 per person Best for: remote workers

Lane has been operating in Nunawading for several years 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 quarterly which keeps things fresh without losing the core dishes people come back for.

The room holds 54 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Willow Grove is usually fine.

Come back for: The house-made relish ($23) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They source produce from Nunawading farmers market when it runs.

10. The Lucky Lane — 120 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A local institution Cost: $10-23 per person Best for: solo diners

The Lucky Lane has been operating in Nunawading for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($10) 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 47 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Street parking on Bourke Road is usually fine.

Get the: The crispy chicken ($16) — the best version in Nunawading Insider tip: Come on a Tuesday for the quietest experience.

11. Union — 61 Bourke Road, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A local institution Cost: $10-20 per person Best for: families

Union has been operating in Nunawading for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($11) 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 51 and fills on weekends. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The crispy chicken ($13) — the best version in Nunawading Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.

12. Hugo — 219 Market Terrace, Nunawading VIC 3154

What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A quiet achiever Cost: $22-32 per person Best for: remote workers

Hugo has been operating in Nunawading for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($25) 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 31 and fills on weekends. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The lamb shoulder ($26) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The window seat is the best in the house — arrive early.

Explore More

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

FAQ

What are the best dog friendly cafes options in Nunawading?

The Long Mill is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Nunawading good for dog friendly cafes?

Yes. Nunawading has 12+ genuine options. The scene is growing and well worth exploring.

What is Nunawading known for?

Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station.

How far is Nunawading from Melbourne CBD?

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

If you’re comparing Nunawading 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