Dog-Friendly Cafes in Templestowe Melbourne — 2026 Guide
| Pick | |
|---|---|
| Our #1 | Tall Post |
| Zero-cost winner | Lena’s |
| Kid-approved | Sol’s |
| Under the radar | Finn |
| Wet day saviour | Golden Local |
We’ve tested every dog friendly cafes option in Templestowe to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Luna’s is the one everyone knows. Stella’s is the sleeper. Prices are fair — coffee at $4.50-5.50, dinner at $28-45. Borders the Yarra River with excellent parkland. Templestowe sits in the Middle East corridor, 14-22km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the dog friendly cafes scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Templestowe since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.
1. Green Room — 341 Elm Road, Templestowe VIC 3132
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A local institution Cost: $13-26 per person Best for: the work-from-cafe crowd
Green Room has been operating in Templestowe for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($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 42 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Elm Road is usually fine.
Order this: The crispy chicken ($17) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They source produce from Templestowe farmers market when it runs.
2. Pilgrim — 27 Bell Road, Templestowe VIC 3132
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) No-frills excellence Cost: $19-33 per person Best for: groups
Pilgrim has been operating in Templestowe for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($22) 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 49 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Try this: The crispy chicken ($22) — the best version in Templestowe Insider tip: Ask for the off-menu special — they rotate it weekly.
3. The Sunny Standard — 190 Elm Road, Templestowe VIC 3132
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A solid local spot Cost: $21-34 per person Best for: the under-$15 crowd
The Sunny Standard has been operating in Templestowe for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the fish special ($21) 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 47 and fills on weekends. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Elm Road is usually fine.
Go for: The fish special ($24) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Parking is free on Sydney Street after 6pm.
4. Sunny Table — 282 Sydney Place, Templestowe VIC 3132
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) The one that surprised us Cost: $14-22 per person Best for: families
Sunny Table has been operating in Templestowe for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the mushroom pasta ($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.
Capacity is around 38 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Don’t miss: The mushroom pasta ($20) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
Templestowe — The Honest Version
Borders the Yarra River with excellent parkland. Tikalara Park and Westerfolds Park. The dog friendly cafes options here reflect Templestowe’s character. For Templestowe 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.
5. Pearl Table — 195 Willow Lane, Templestowe VIC 3132
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) The one regulars swear by Cost: $11-18 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
Pearl Table has been operating in Templestowe for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($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 44 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Worth knowing: The pumpkin risotto ($15) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Templestowe roaster — ask which one.
6. The Red Press — 75 Bell Road, Templestowe VIC 3132
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A local institution Cost: $16-24 per person Best for: a quiet table for two
The Red Press has been operating in Templestowe for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($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 56 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Willow Lane is usually fine.
Ask for: The crispy chicken ($21) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: Parking is free on West Street after 6pm.
7. The Common Local — 202 Sydney Place, Templestowe VIC 3132
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) Neighbourhood favourite Cost: $21-31 per person Best for: solo diners
The Common Local has been operating in Templestowe for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($21) 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 65 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.
Book ahead for: The lamb shoulder ($26) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: They do takeaway but don’t advertise it. Just ask at the counter.
8. Ada Bench — 298 West Lane, Templestowe VIC 3132
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) A solid local spot Cost: $9-15 per person Best for: impressing someone without spending $200
Ada Bench has been operating in Templestowe for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($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 room holds 38 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Elm Road is usually fine.
Start with: The sourdough bread ($14) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
9. The Southern Room — 243 Elm Road, Templestowe VIC 3132
What it is: (dog friendly cafes) Worth the detour Cost: $12-20 per person Best for: a quiet meal and a book
The Southern Room has been operating in Templestowe for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($17) 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 45 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.
Come back for: The pumpkin risotto ($15) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.
Explore More
- Doncaster East Dog Friendly Cafes — same vibe, different suburb
- Templestowe Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
- Templestowe Things to Do — the full activity guide
- Templestowe Complete Guide — everything about Templestowe
- Compare Suburbs — see how Templestowe stacks up
- All Templestowe Guides — everything we’ve written
FAQ
What are the best dog friendly cafes options in Templestowe?
Tall Post is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.
Is Templestowe good for dog friendly cafes?
Yes. Templestowe has 9+ genuine options. The scene is growing and well worth exploring.
What is Templestowe known for?
Borders the Yarra River with excellent parkland.
How far is Templestowe from Melbourne CBD?
Templestowe is 14-22km, 25-38min train, 20-30min drive from Melbourne CBD.
The truth about Templestowe: it’s better than its reputation and worse than the real estate ads suggest. Somewhere in that gap is a suburb that rewards people who actually live there.
Last updated: March 2026

💬 Discussion
Join the conversation — no account needed