Father’s Day in Melbourne usually means socks Dad won’t wear, a roast lunch he didn’t ask for, and the dog sulking at home. Rubbish. This year, let’s upgrade the script: dog-friendly Father’s Day events where Dad gets a schooner, the dog gets a puppacino, and nobody pretends a Bunnings voucher is “thoughtful.” From heritage estates that open their gates to paws for one day only, to pubs slinging roasts for humans and mini roasts for dogs, here’s where Melbourne actually gets Father’s Day right.
On this page:
- Dog-Friendly Father’s Day Events in Melbourne
- Family-Friendly Dog-Friendly Pubs
- Sunday Father’s Day Brunch at Melbourne Dog-Friendly Cafes
Dog-Friendly Father’s Day Events in Melbourne
Not every Father’s Day event remembers the dog, but these ones put pups on the guest list from the start. Think roasts that come in human and dog sizes, costume parades where the schnauzer is best-dressed, and heritage gardens that only open their gates to dogs once a year. If Dad’s the kind who’d rather spend Sunday with a leash in hand than a tie around his neck, these are the events made for him
Father’s and Dogs Day Out at Rippon Lea Estate
For 364 days a year, Rippon Lea’s heritage gardens are strictly no-dog zones. But this Father’s Day, the gates swing open and the lawns basically become the world’s fanciest off-lead park (well, technically on-lead, but don’t ruin the magic).
Pack a picnic, claim a patch of grass, and let Dad wander through manicured flowerbeds while the dog tries to photobomb every family selfie. Highlights include:
- Picture-Perfect Gardens – shady spots, spring blooms, and endless lawn space for dogs who think they own the joint.
- Best-Dressed Pup Parade (1pm) – Victorian-era costumes encouraged. If you’ve ever wanted to see a dachshund in a top hat, this is your moment.
- Classic Car Display – because nothing says Father’s Day like dads talking about carburettors next to a Bentley.
Dog Dad’s Day at The Terminus, Abbotsford
Some pubs dabble in dog-friendliness. The Termo, on the other hand, basically throws the leash on the bar and says: “Come in, mate.” This Father’s Day, their beer garden turns into dog dad central with a line-up that’s half Sunday session, half canine carnival.
On the menu:
- For dads: A proper Sunday roast, free schooner on arrival, meat tray raffle (3pm sharp), and live music from 1–4pm.
- For dogs: Mini doggy roast (yes, really), puppacinos on tap, and pats from every slightly tipsy stranger in the courtyard.
Make sure you book to secure your spot!
Family-Friendly Dog-Friendly Pubs
Sometimes the best Father’s Day plan isn’t complicated. It’s a pint, a plate, and the dog passed out under the table. Luckily, Melbourne’s dog-friendly pub scene has plenty of courtyards where pups are treated like VIPs. Here are three of the best dog-friendly pubs to hit this Father’s Day.
Welcome to Brunswick – 4 Pines Brewery
This isn’t just a beer garden — it’s basically a shrine to dogs and craft beer. Welcome to Brunswick nails the trifecta: rotating food trucks (burgers, dumplings, tacos, take your pick), 4 Pines brews on tap, and a courtyard where dogs are so welcome they literally get their own photo wall.
The vibe? Very Brunswick. Chill crowds, trivia nights, live sport on the screens, and the occasional band cranking it up. Grab a tasting paddle, feed the dog a chip when no one’s looking, and lean into the Sunday session.
Make sure you book to secure your spot!
College Lawn Hotel
If your dad’s the type who likes his footy with a side of parma, College Lawn has him covered. The outdoor beer garden is roomy and dog-friendly rain, hail or shine (thanks to the covered areas), and the menu is pure pub comfort: chicken parma, fish and chips, big steaks, burgers.
Sports nuts get multiple screens with AFL, NRL, NBA, NFL — basically all the acronyms — while dogs snooze at your feet. It’s family-friendly too, so you can drag along the whole crew without feeling like you’ve crashed someone else’s local.
Make sure you book to secure your spot!
The Flying Duck Hotel – Prahran
A little more polished than your average corner pub, The Flying Duck feels like a secret garden with beers. The glass-roofed atrium is packed with greenery, the courtyard is heated and dog-friendly, and the menu goes beyond pub basics. Sure, you can still get a parma, but there are also charcoal-grilled duck breast, scallops with herb butter, and sliders worth writing home about.
Drinks aren’t an afterthought here either. From Aussie wines to spritzes and sangria, you can take Dad as fancy or as relaxed as he wants to go.
Sunday Father’s Day Brunch at Melbourne Dog-Friendly Cafes
Not every dad wants a schooner before noon. Some want caffeine, carbs, and a dog asleep under the table while they demolish shakshuka. Melbourne’s brunch game is already strong — but these dog-friendly cafés go one better: they welcome dogs like family.
Levanter Café – Balaclava
If Dad’s over another round of chilli scrambled eggs and smashed avo, Levanter is the cure. This Balaclava café brings Syrian flavours to the Melbourne brunch table, with dishes that feel both adventurous and comforting. Sujuk scrambled eggs with halloumi, shakshuka bubbling in tomato and capsicum, and Msakhan chicken rolls that are basically the Middle Eastern cousin of a sausage roll — it’s brunch with a story to tell.
The drinks list is just as interesting. Forget flat whites. Here it’s pistachio coffee served with Turkish delight, spiced chai done properly, and orchid sahleb that tastes like dessert in a cup. It’s the kind of menu that makes Father’s Day feel like more than just “the usual spot.”
Dogs aren’t an afterthought, either. Out the back there’s a sunny courtyard with covered seating for Melbourne’s unpredictable weather, and staff who greet pups like regulars. It’s laid-back, warm, and welcoming — exactly the kind of spot where Dad can sip something new while the dog sprawls happily at his feet.
Project 281 Coffee Roasters in Brunswick
Tucked inside a converted warehouse, Project 281 has the kind of industrial-cool vibe Brunswick does best. But it’s the food and coffee that make it Father’s Day worthy. The menu leans bold: prawn okonomiyaki that feels more like art than breakfast, mushroom bruschetta with whipped feta and dukkah, and plates that always look Instagram-ready without trying too hard.
Coffee is roasted on-site, so you’re getting beans fresher than most Melbourne brunch spots can dream of. Add a Bloody Mary or Espresso Martini from the bar if Dad’s in “treat yourself” mode, and it’s suddenly the best Father’s Day morning he’s had in years.
Dogs are welcome out front in the covered courtyard, a space dressed with greenery and heaters that keep things cosy year-round. It’s the kind of café where Dad gets his caffeine fix, the pup soaks up pats from strangers, and everyone leaves happy.
Be sure to book and secure a spot in the dog-friendly courtyard!
Emil’s Cafe in Pascoe Vale
Part nostalgic milk bar, part modern brunch hub, Emil’s is a café with heart. The menu hits all the comfort notes. Turkish eggs with sujuk, lamb kofta tacos, even a knafeh dessert piled high with pistachios and Persian fairy floss. It’s a place where plates feel generous, familiar, and a little bit celebratory.
For Father’s Day this year, Emil’s is stepping things up with a one-day-only ribeye special. Served with your choice of sides – think crispy chips, a wedge of iceberg with bacon crumb, truffled cauliflower mac and cheese, or roasted Dutch carrots — it’s the kind of feast that makes “taking Dad out for brunch” feel like a proper occasion. Extra sides are on offer too, if you’re game. Available only on Sunday 7 September, it’s worth booking early to lock it in.
Dogs get a warm welcome as always. There’s a covered, heated courtyard out back with its own side gate, plus staff who’ve been known to hand out dog treats. Add in the friendly, family-run vibe, and it’s easy to see why locals keep coming back with pups in tow.
Be sure to book and secure a spot in the dog-friendly courtyard!
Last-Minute Father’s Day Gifts for Dog-Loving Dads
If you’ve left your Father’s Day shopping to the last minute, don’t worry—there are plenty of unique and thoughtful gifts that will delight both Dad and his dog. Whether your Dad is a tech enthusiast, an outdoor adventurer, or someone who appreciates a good novelty item, you’ll find something special that suits his interests.
Father’s Day Gifts for Dog-Loving Dads →
