Nestled in the leafy heart of Camberwell, The Old Garage takes the concept of dog-friendly cafe to new heights. Sure, its streetside dining area heaves with adorable doggy visitors and its Instagram page is flooded with snaps of cute, wet-nosed clientele. But it also has a dedicated dog menu, hosts regular fundraisers supporting local animal shelters and offers vegan options for every single dish it serves.
This former garage and petrol station has been transformed into a much-loved local haunt, fitted out with recycled materials and custom copper lighting, with yellow striped umbrellas adorning the frontage.
The food offering features Aussie brunch classics, alongside modern dishes starring flavours that trip from South America to the Mediterranean. You'll be in good hands, with ex-400 Gradi head chef Harley Salanitri whipping up chipotle scrambles with provolone cheese ($21/26), Lebanese baked eggs ($18), breakfast tacos ($18/23), and a brioche french toast finished with candied bacon and mascarpone ($21.5/26.5). Southern fried chicken comes teamed with peri peri fries ($19.5/25), the signature toastie stars four types of cheese ($17/25), and the house-made bircher is topped with a butter biscuit crumble ($17/19).
And yes, there are plant-based alternatives for everything on the menu, with the kitchen championing quality vegan products like those from Beyond Meat. Throw in that daily-changing lineup of doggy dishes and a few hard-earned puppychinos ($2), and The Old Garage is ensuring absolutely no one misses out.
