Best Dog Friendly Guide in Fitzroy Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve spent months eating, drinking, and exploring Fitzroy 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. Oliver’s is the one everyone knows. White Quarter is the one they should know. Fitzroy has fitzroy is a growing melbourne suburb with its own local character and community.

1. River’s — 164 Smith Avenue, Fitzroy VIC 3165

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $8-22 per person Best for: a quiet table for two

River’s has been operating in Fitzroy for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($13) 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 35 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Order this: The pumpkin risotto ($11) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

2. Theo’s — 210 Queen Avenue, Fitzroy VIC 3165

What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $17-29 per person Best for: groups of 6+ who want a table without booking six weeks ahead

Theo’s has been operating in Fitzroy for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the fish 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 room holds 33 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Try this: The fish special ($21) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

3. Pearl Yard — 308 Market Grove, Fitzroy VIC 3165

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $9-15 per person Best for: families

Pearl Yard has been operating in Fitzroy for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($12) 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 57 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Go for: The daily soup ($11) — the best version in Fitzroy Insider tip: Parking is free on Pine Street after 6pm.

4. Kai’s — 311 Smith Avenue, Fitzroy VIC 3165

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $9-19 per person Best for: budget eaters

Kai’s has been operating in Fitzroy for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($14) 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 64 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on Queen Avenue is usually fine.

Don’t miss: The crispy chicken ($11) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Parking is free on Market Street after 6pm.

5. Theo Pantry — 275 Queen Avenue, Fitzroy VIC 3165

What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $14-19 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

Theo Pantry has been operating in Fitzroy for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the sourdough bread ($16) 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 33 — book for Friday and Saturday. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Worth knowing: The sourdough bread ($20) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: Parking is free on Smith Street after 6pm.

What Makes Fitzroy Different

Fitzroy is a growing Melbourne suburb with its own local character and community. This isn’t marketing copy — it’s what defines Fitzroy’s character and why the suburb has the identity it does. If you’re living in or near Fitzroy, you’ll find that this history shapes everything from the food culture to the community events. The locals who’ve been here longest will tell you the suburb has changed dramatically, but the bones are still good.

6. The Long Press — 182 North Road, Fitzroy VIC 3165

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $21-27 per person Best for: dates

The Long Press has been operating in Fitzroy for since 2019 and it shows in the consistency. The the daily soup ($23) 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 43 — book for Friday and Saturday. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. Street parking on North Road is usually fine.

Ask for: The daily soup ($26) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: Sunday morning before 9am is the sweet spot for no crowds.

7. Cleo — 327 Market Grove, Fitzroy VIC 3165

What it is: A solid local spot Cost: $12-20 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

Cleo has been operating in Fitzroy for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the pumpkin risotto ($15) 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 46 with outdoor seating for another 15. The team knows what they are doing. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Book ahead for: The pumpkin risotto ($17) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

8. Humble Social — 101 Pine Drive, Fitzroy VIC 3165

What it is: Reliable all-rounder Cost: $16-21 per person Best for: dates

Humble Social has been operating in Fitzroy for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the house-made relish ($16) 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 46 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on Smith Avenue is usually fine.

Start with: The house-made relish ($22) — genuinely excellent Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

9. Press — 9 Queen Avenue, Fitzroy VIC 3165

What it is: Worth the detour Cost: $21-30 per person Best for: anyone eating alone without feeling weird

Press has been operating in Fitzroy for over a decade and it shows in the consistency. The the lamb shoulder ($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.

The space seats about 38 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Parking is easy on weeknights, competitive on weekends.

Come back for: The lamb shoulder ($24) — worth ordering twice Insider tip: They source produce from Fitzroy farmers market when it runs.

10. Pearl’s — 319 Pine Drive, Fitzroy VIC 3165

What it is: The one that surprised us Cost: $13-20 per person Best for: people who need three hours and a laptop

Pearl’s has been operating in Fitzroy for since the early 2020s and it shows in the consistency. The the charcuterie board ($18) 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 57 with outdoor seating for another 15. Service is efficient without being rushed. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Get the: The charcuterie board ($17) — the best version in Fitzroy Insider tip: The staff will let you modify most dishes if you ask nicely.

11. Pearl Place — 112 Smith Avenue, Fitzroy VIC 3165

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $22-34 per person Best for: kids under 12 who need to burn energy

Pearl Place has been operating in Fitzroy for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the seasonal special ($25) 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 56 — book for Friday and Saturday. The team knows what they are doing. Street parking on North Road is usually fine.

Order this: The seasonal special ($28) — the best version in Fitzroy Insider tip: Their coffee is from a local Fitzroy roaster — ask which one.

12. Ruby’s — 164 Market Grove, Fitzroy VIC 3165

What it is: Under-the-radar gem Cost: $21-31 per person Best for: parents who want food AND peace

Ruby’s has been operating in Fitzroy for several years and it shows in the consistency. The the crispy chicken ($26) 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 57 with outdoor seating for another 15. Staff are friendly and know the menu inside out. There is a small lot behind the venue.

Try this: The crispy chicken ($26) — the reason regulars keep coming back Insider tip: The back courtyard has tables nobody knows about.

Explore More

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

FAQ

Is Fitzroy worth visiting?

Yes. Fitzroy has genuine local character that rewards visitors who look past the surface. The dog friendly guide scene is stronger than most people expect.

What is Fitzroy known for?

Fitzroy is a growing Melbourne suburb with its own local character and community.

What is Fitzroy best known for?

Kai Mill is our top recommendation. See our full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

How far is Fitzroy from Melbourne CBD?

Fitzroy is 15-30km, 25-45min by public transport from Melbourne CBD.

Look — Fitzroy won’t win any design awards. But the food is honest, the prices are fair, and the locals actually know each other. In Melbourne, that’s increasingly rare.

Last updated: March 2026

Data sourced from Google Places, OpenStreetMap, and ABS Census. Compiled April 2026. Found an error? Contact us.